In her annual Human Rights Day message to students and staff, Prof Linda du Plessis, the deputy vice-chancellor for integrated planning and operations on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark, argued that it is every person’s duty to stand up for the rights of others.

“When celebrating Human Rights Day, we think back to 21 March 1960, when the fight for basic human rights cost the lives of 69 people and left 180 injured in Sharpeville, not far from our campus. 

“58 years later, we live in a country with a Bill of Rights and a Constitution that protect our rights to human dignity within a democratic society. While we as South Africans still have some lessons to learn in truly loving our neighbour, there are many countries where even the most basic human dignity is a luxury not afforded to all.

“Just look at the following examples. In Niger, 50% of girls are already married at the age of 15. In Nepal, a mother cannot register her newborn child as a citizen of the country if she cannot provide proof that the child’s father is Nepali. In Turkey, China and Egypt the number of journalists jailed for practicing free speech reached a new record at the end of 2017. In Saudi Arabia the government continues to severely restrict freedom of expression, association and assembly, while the war in Syria makes for a playground where human rights continue to fall victim to the unceasing hunger for power.

“This Human Rights Day  also marked the 22^nd anniversary of the day that Parliament established the Human Rights Commission (inaugurated in October of the same year, 1996). This commission is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights in our country. 21 March is therefore not only a memory of the wrongs of the past, but also a celebration of the restoration of a brighter future for all. 

“As citizens of a country where human rights are protected and cherished, it remains our duty to protect it at all cost. It was Edmund Burke that said: ’The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.’ In our everyday lives, we regularly find ourselves in small, seemingly insignificant situations where the human rights of others are on the line. It may be as little as an offensive comment or a ‘harmless’ joke.

“My wish for you is that you may find the courage to speak up against the smallest acts of violation against someone else’s rights. May you be facilitator for the good to triumph, and may your small act spark the flame that will ignite a fire of unity to burn bright on our campus, community and country.”

 Prof Linda du Plessis.