There are many people who would like to forget the events of Monday 21st March 1960 when police killed 69 people who were protesting against South Africa’s discriminatory pass laws, but it’s vital that we don’t let the devastating memory of that day become just another public holiday. Sadly human rights atrocities are still committed in South Africa, and in other parts of the world, on a regular basis. It’s our duty as good citizens to do what we can to make South Africa a safe place to live, for everyone. Chapter Two of the Constitution of South Africa contains the Bill of Rights, which sets out the fundamental rights of all South Africans, including the rights to:
- equal protection and benefit of the law
- freedom and security of the person
- privacy
- freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion
- freedom of expression
- assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions
- freedom of association
- freedom of movement and residence
- fair labour practices
- an environment that is not harmful to peoples health or well-being
- access to adequate housing
- access to health care, food, water and social security
- to a basic education
- to practice one’s own culture, religion and language
Click here to read more about the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and here to read the details of the Bill of Rights.
Photograph courtesy of this website.