The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said that the “concept of unity” is not alive in South Africa, and should be 27 years into a democracy. The country celebrated Human Rights Day on Sunday, March 22, which pays homage and respect to the Sharpeville massacre in 1960.
On that day, police opened fired in a mass of protestors and killed 69 protestors.
The commission has noted that human rights violations have increased by 13% in the past year.
“It is quite a concern that the whole principle of unity and diversity is not that alive and well as it should be,” said Andre Gaum, who is the Commissioner, to EWN.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown has had a major effect on the rights of residents, and negatively so.
“In particular in a country like South Africa, especially with a very negative impact on the poor, on employment, the creation of employment, on equality as such,” Gaum said.
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