Human Rights Day (South Africa) 2024: Human Rights Day 2024 is observed in South Africa on March 21st, 2024. Human Rights Day is a national holiday in South Africa that is always celebrated on March 21st. Human Rights Day is a national day that is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. The holiday commemorates the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The aim of the SAHRC is to promote respect for human rights, promote the protection, development, and attainment of human rights, and monitor and assess the observance of human rights in South Africa. In recognition of the events on this day, the United Nations has declared that March 21st each year is 'The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

This year’s commemoration of Human Rights Month coincides with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. Human rights are the rights that people simply have and are not granted by any state. These rights are inherent to all irrespective of any of the above statuses. Human rights range from right to life, right to food, right to education, right to health, etc. Human Rights Day reinforces our commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in our Constitution and these rights include:

• Equality – everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

• Human dignity – Everyone has inherent dignity and has their dignity respected and protected.

• Freedom of movement and residence – everyone has a right to freedom of movement and to reside anywhere in the country.

• Language and culture – everyone have the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice.

• Life - everyone has the right to life.

List of Important Days in March

Human Rights Day (South Africa) 2024 Date

• Human Rights Day 2024 is observed in South Africa on March 21st, 2024.

Human Rights Day (South Africa) History

• Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws. This day marked an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights. It became an iconic date in our country’s history that today we commemorate as Human Rights Day as a reminder of our rights and the cost paid for our treasured human rights.

• Human Rights Day is grounded in the Sharpeville Massacre that took place on 21 March 1960, where the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people in a peaceful protest march. 

Human Rights Day (South Africa) Theme

The human rights day South Africa 2024 theme is “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights”.

Human Rights Day (South Africa) 2024: Significance

Human Rights Day is a national day that is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. South Africans use Human Rights Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation-building, and a shared national identity. It is our duty as a nation to strive for inclusive socio-economic development while ensuring that we combat scourges such as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and all related intolerances as well as gender-based violence and femicide, which are undermining our human rights culture. 

Human Rights Day (South Africa) 2024: Quotes

• At the points when the crucial standards of human rights are not secured, the focal points of our foundation never again hold.

• To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity

• When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people - they will build a peaceful, sustainable, and just world

Human Rights Day (South Africa) 2024: FAQs

Q. Is Human Rights Day a public holiday in South Africa?

Human Rights Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

Q. Why is Human Rights Day celebrated in South Africa?

Human Rights Day is a national day that is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa.

Q. When is Human Rights Day 2024 celebrated in South Africa?

Human Rights Day 2024 is observed in South Africa on March 21st, 2024.