Human Rights Day

21 March (South Africa and international)

Human Rights Day - also known as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - is a small measure taken to ensure that the people of South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that abuse of human rights, as occurred at Sharpeville, never again occur. The day set aside to celebrate and remind all South Africans of their human rights. Everyone has human rights – simply because they are human beings. The Bill of Rights (Chapter 2) in the South African Constitution includes a clause on Environment (24):

Everyone has the right
a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that
  i. prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
ii. promote conservation; and
iii. secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

Everyone has these rights, regardless of their race, age or gender. It is therefore crucial that everyone respects other people's rights, and respects and follow the laws of the country. We have rights and responsibilities.

More info: http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/holidays.htm and http://africanhistory.about.com/od/apartheid/a/SAHolidays.htm and http://www.sahrc.org.za/sahrc_cms/downloads/Human%20Rights%20Day.pdf