On March 21, 1960, police officers in a black township in South Africa opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws, killing 69. The anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre is remembered the world over every March 21 on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
What happened on the 21 March Human Rights Day?
South Africa’s Human Rights Day marks a day where Black citizens fought for equality in the apartheid era. … That day, March 21, 1960, began with demonstrations in the township of Sharpeville against the apartheid government’s pass laws, which restricted the rights of the Black people in the country.
How many people were killed in the Langa March?
When the crowd failed to comply immediately, police opened fire on the crowd, killing 35 people and leaving 27 wounded. The incident became known as the Uitenhage/Langa massacre.
What happened during the Sharpeville massacre?
In the Black township of Sharpeville, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Afrikaner police open fire on a group of unarmed Black South African demonstrators, killing 69 people and wounding 180 in a hail of submachine-gun fire.
Why do we celebrate 21st March?
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.
How many people died on Human Rights Day?
The apartheid government killed 69 people on this day in 1960 during a peaceful protest in Sharpeville against pass laws.
What are the 5 basic human rights?
Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
What was the Langa march about?
On 30 March 1960, Philip Kgosana led a Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) march of between 30.000-50.000 protestors from Langa and Nyanga to the police headquarters in Caledon Square. … The police and army arrested thousands of Africans, who were imprisoned with their leaders, but still the mass action raged.
What law caused the protest in March 1960?
For years, many South Africans chose to peacefully protest apartheid laws, including the pass laws. In March 1960, a group called the Pan African Congress (PAC) decided to organize a peaceful protest in the black township of Sharpeville.
What are pass laws in South Africa?
In South Africa, pass laws were a form of internal passport system designed to segregate the population, manage urbanization, and allocate migrant labor.
How many people died on 21 March 1960?
There were 249 casualties in total, including 29 children. Many were shot in the back as they fled. The massacre was photographed by photographer Ian Berry, who initially believed the police were firing blanks.
…
| Sharpeville massacre | |
|---|---|
| Date | 21 March 1960 |
| Deaths | 69 |
| Injured | 180 |
| Assailants | South African Police |
What happened to South Africa after apartheid?
South Africa since 1994 transitioned from the system of apartheid to one of majority rule. The election of 1994 resulted in a change in government with the African National Congress (ANC) coming to power. The ANC retained power after subsequent elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019.
What other massacre that happened in South Africa?
List of massacres in South Africa
| Name | Date | Casualties |
|---|---|---|
| Mayibuye Uprising | 1952-11-08 | 13 |
| Sharpeville massacre | 1960-03-21 | 69 |
| Soweto uprising | 1976-06-16 | 176 |
| Church Street bombing | 1983-05-20 | 19 |
Who implemented human rights?
The Commission, guided by Eleanor Roosevelt’s forceful leadership, captured the world’s attention. On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the 56 members of the United Nations. The vote was unanimous, although eight nations chose to abstain.
How many human rights are there?
On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations announced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – 30 rights and freedoms that belong to all of us.
What are the 30 human rights?
The 30 universal human rights also cover up freedom of opinion, expression, thought and religion.
- 30 Basic Human Rights List. …
- All human beings are free and equal. …
- No discrimination. …
- Right to life. …
- No slavery. …
- No torture and inhuman treatment. …
- Same right to use law. …
- Equal before the law.