Today, as we commemorate Human Rights Day, Parliament’s Presiding officers, the Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo, call on all South Africans to reflect, protect and defend all human rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights of our constitution.
The Bill of Rights enshrined in Chapter 2 of our constitution embeds the rights of all people in our country and addresses South Africa’s past of oppression, colonialism, slavery, racism and sexism and other forms of human violations. This day should also serve as a stark reminder of the sacrifice and cost paid through bloodshed for the freedom and democracy we today enjoy.
March 21 is linked historically to the 1961 Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 people lost their lives and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the unjust laws. The great majority of South Africans stood together to fight against the atrocities and cruelty of the apartheid government that sought to deprive the majority basic rights in the land of their birth.
Since the dawn of democracy peaceful protests by every person or under political formations are guaranteed in the provisions of the constitution and the Bill of Rights. However, it is the responsibility of those who participate as well as the law enforcement officers to ensure that no one infringes on the rights of others when they exercise theirs.
Said the Presiding Officers, "Parliament promotes and supports the right to peaceful protest and demonstration and urges all South Africans, at all times, to act responsibly and ensure that no one’s right to safety is violated and intimidated".
As Parliament, we continue to be at the forefront of ensuring that the protection of human rights is rooted in our society. The recent passing of the Prevention of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill is an exhibition of our continued commitment to the protection of human dignity.
This Bill seeks to address the conduct of persons, sometimes violent, motivated by prejudices, in the form of hate crimes and hate speech and to assist those who are victims of these. The Bill creates the offences of hate crimes and hate speech and puts in place measures to prevent and combat these offences.
"Ours is a democracy attained through blood and sweat, and it remains everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we become the defenders of democracy and protectors of human rights and dignity," said the Presiding Officer.
As Parliament, we cannot overlook the fact that there are challenges that continue to threaten the progress made as a country. Chief amongst these challenges are the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality, a great socio-economic burden that is borne mostly by young people who constitute the majority in this country.
We also live in a society where the right to life is constantly threatened. The threat is evident in the high rates of murder. According to the recent crime statistics announced by the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, in the last quarter of October 2022 and December 2022, 7 555 people were murdered.
These harrowing statistics are both shocking and they paint a gruesome picture of the kind of society we live in. The fight against such crimes is a collective effort that our government cannot win alone. If we jointly take responsibility as citizens of this country by reporting these crimes and culprits then we will win this fight.
Parliament will continue to do all that is in its legislative power to ensure that human rights are always protected through the passing of laws, vigorous oversight and continuous public participation in the affairs of Parliament. Safeguarding human rights is an essential component in the making up of our country and Parliament encourages each South African to reflect, safeguard, treasure and protect their rights and the rights of others from violation, irrespective of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. Human rights are there for the provision of dignity, peaceful existence, equality and freedom.
May we use this day as a country to reflect on how far we have come and recommit ourselves to building a South Africa that is united.
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