Amnesty International Urges Government to Take Action Against the Grim Reality of Human Rights Violations in South Africa
As the world observed International Human Rights Day on the 10th of December, Amnesty International South Africa urges the country’s leaders to put politics aside and work together to improve South Africa’s human rights.
According to the civil society organisation’s executive director, Shenilla Mohamed, the power struggles between politicians have resulted in the safety and dignity of South Africans taking a back seat.
“Whatever is happening within the country’s political context should not stop government officials and politicians from doing the job they were elected to do. It is clear that the right to life, safety, and dignity of people has taken a back seat and there is no accountability.
Video courtesy of UNISEF
“Women and girls continue to live in fear because of the high rate of gender-based violence, while the high crime rate in general in South Africa continues unabated,” expressed Mohamed.
Human Rights Day is an annual day observed by the international community on December 10th. It commemorates a day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
This year’s Human Rights Day slogan is ‘Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All’, with a call to action to #StandUp4HumanRights.
In its preamble, the UDHR highlighted the “recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.”