Murali Padayachy, Deputy Principal of Laudium Primary, “Children’s Rights are one of seven focus areas identified by the South African Human Rights Commission as requiring a dedicated focus in order to effectively fulfil its mandate of promoting, protecting and monitoring the realisation of the rights of children in South Africa.
Children’s rights are human rights specifically adapted to the child, because they take into account their fragility, specificities and age-appropriate needs.
Children’s rights take into account necessity of development of the child. Children thus have the right to live and to develop suitably physically and intellectually.
Children’s rights plan to satisfy the essential needs for good development of the child, such as access to an appropriate alimentation, to necessary care, to education, etc.
Children’s rights consider the vulnerable character of the child. They imply the necessity to protect them. It means to grant particular assistance to them and to provide protection adapted to their age and to their degree of maturity.
So, children have to be helped and supported and must be protected against labour exploitation, kidnapping, ill-treatment, etc.
The scale and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic clearly rises to the level of a public health threat that could justify restrictions on certain rights, such as those that result from the imposition of quarantine or isolation, limiting freedom of movement. At the same time, careful attention to human rights such as non-discrimination and human rights principles, such as transparency and respect for human dignity can foster an effective response amidst the turmoil and disruption that inevitably results in times of crisis and limits the harms that can come from the imposition of overly broad measures that do not meet the above criteria. Fulfil the right to education—even if schools are temporarily closed.
Online learning should be used to mitigate the immediate impact of lost normal school time. Schools deploying educational technology for online learning should ensure that the tools protect children’s rights and privacy. Governments should attempt to recover missed in-person class time, once schools re-open.
Governments should adopt measures to mitigate the disproportionate effects on children who already experience barriers to education, or who are marginalized for various reasons – including girls, those with disabilities, those affected by their location, their family situation, and other inequalities. Governments should focus on adopting strategies that support all students through closures – for example, monitoring students most at risk and ensuring students receive printed or online material on time, with particular attention provided to students with disabilities who may require adapted, accessible material.
Governments should adopt mitigation strategies, for example by working with teachers, school officials, and teachers’ unions and associations, to factor in plans to recover teaching or contact hours lost, adjusting school calendars and exam schedules, and ensuring fair compensation for teachers and school personnel who are working additional hours.
Sudden school closures may also leave low-income families struggling to make ends meet and provide necessities. Therefore government should guarantee continued meal provision during school closures, for those children from low-income families, who will miss subsidized meals.
Governments should also ensure that support for vital humanitarian operations, carried out by the UN and other aid agencies, do not suffer as a result of COVID-19.”
Murthi Sooboo, Chairman of Anadhanam, “March 21 each year has been declared Human Rights Day by our democratically elected government, post 1994, when certain new holidays were invoked and others removed.
Celebrating human rights for all in this country, should not just be another holiday. One has to consider the origins of this day, back in 1960, when residents of Sharpeville were demonstrating against pass laws. Over 7000 people converged, when police officers shot dead 180 and many were injured. This action by protesters marked several years of opposition to the apartheid regime, which culminated in leaders of many democratic structures either being arrested or banned, while others fled the country and actively engaged foreign countries to put pressure on the South African Government of that time.
Whilst there were subsequent actions to resist oppression, many battles to fight injustices started way back in 1860, when indentured labour arrived on the shores of Durban. The plight of those indentures has been captured eloquently by the authors of several books and the 1860 Heritage Foundation.
So, as we enjoy the fruits of democracy in South Africa, we should understand the historical past of how generations of resistance to injustice brought about political freedom. We must salute all struggles against oppression, our leaders who paid the ultimate price for freedom and all those victims of our past. Unfortunately, our democracy has had its shortcomings. While we may have political freedom many are still economically oppressed as our country undergoes social transformation. Our Government has failed many who expected better. The endemic corruption, especially in state institutions, the lack of accountability by our politicians, high unemployment figures, soaring crime, wide disparity between our wealthy and poor are not fundamentals for any country to celebrate Human Rights Day. Whilst we cherish the recognition of this fundamental human right, freedom, our very progressive Constitution and the many liberties we enjoy, what value does it hold within a crime-ridden society?
While one can argue the social evils of crime due to our historical past and unemployment, white collar crime has escalated manifold. This is in the context of our state structures not ensuring that the law is maintained or that law abiding citizens are protected. The bad execution of justice against the poor and the vulnerable, has been haven for criminals to execute their criminal activities. The evidence is when the political elite are celebrated as they go to court, heros are made of such alleged criminals and our limited resources are spent on these situations.
As we celebrate this day, let us consider our brothers and sisters in other countries like Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Palestine and many others who remain prisoners within those countries that have scant respect for human rights or dignity, as they remain oppressed, based on their religion, language, culture or political affiliation.
So, is there any reason to celebrate?”
Nurah Mukaddam, of Ganges Street, Claudius, “On this Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to remember those who lost their lives in pursuit of basic human rights, rights that many, nowadays, take for granted . Although great advancements have been made by our country and the world, we still have a lot of work to do. By going back to basics and inspiring the youth through example, human rights can become a reality and not just an ideal.”
Fatima Moosa, of Sastri Avenue, Claudius, “On March 21, we will commemorate Human Rights Day in honor of those who struggled for the liberation of all South Africans from the immoral apartheid system. As South African citizens, I believe we should commit ourselves to the universal values of equality, by acting against racism in all forms, by preserving human dignity, by assisting the less fortunate, as well as by upholding the right to life and making healthcare more accessible to all. I strongly believe that the betterment of our society can be achieved if these practices are put into place.
When it comes to human rights, a particular verse of the Holy Quran comes to mind. “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to Allah…”- Surah 4 Verse 135.”
Pastor Kevin Naicker, of Bethesda Revival Church, “In the present situation with the global pandemic, loss of lives, unemployment, lack of food supply, and deepening inequalities with growing social unrest, we are called upon to restore and protect human dignity, based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. Human rights refer to the basic freedoms and rights of every human being in the world, from birth until death. We are to promote human rights and religious tolerance, As a result of the belief that all human life is special and God-given, we believe that God has the power to change things in the world which are unjust and we stand against any form of injustice to mankind. In South Africa, we need to address injustice in terms of hunger, unemployment, education, medical care, housing, women and child abuse, as millions are facing these inequalities.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and alway perseveres.
Happy Human Rights Day”
Hossain Mohamed, of Emerald Street, (formerly of Bangladesh) “It is very worrying that South Africa seems to be going down when it comes to human rights. South Africa was the best country to live in, when I came here ten years ago. Now, as a foreigner, it is scary to even walk out, and to do anything. You are not taken as a human being. My rights are less because I’m a foreigner. I hope the country can look at this.”
Lloyd Justin Jacob, acting Principal of Laudium Heights Primary School, “On this Human Rights Day, the whole of humanity needs to treat each other with respect, love, tolerance and dignity. The human race needs to be united in our fight against the injustices and violations of basic human rights of people all over the world.”
