Cape Crusader

Human Rights Day March 21st

Today is a public Holiday in South Africa. Although not for some people??? On this day in 1960 the police killed 69 people and injured over 180 at Sharpeville. They were participating in a protest against the pass laws. Many were shot in the back. The carnage made world headlines. Four days later the government banned black political organisations, many leaders were arrested or went into exile. During the Apartheid era there were human rights abuses by all sides; Human Rights Day is but one step to ensure that the people of South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that such abuses never again occur.

posted by Cape Cornetto @ 9:22 AM