Ramaphosa urged to take decisive action in advancing, safeguarding future generations' human rights

JOHANNESBURG - Opposition parties are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action in advancing and safeguarding human rights for future generations.

They made the call ahead of Ramaphosa's keynote address at the national commemoration of Human Rights Day in Sharpeville on Thursday morning.

ALSO READ: Human Rights Parly debate: DA says ANC has flouted many South Africans' human rights

The event will include the commemoration of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, when apartheid police shot and killed protesters who were marching peacefully against discriminatory pass laws.

Under the theme ‘Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights’, Ramaphosa is expected to address the country at the George Thabe Cricket Grounds in Sharpeville.

He will join the families of the victims of the 1960 massacre in a wreath-laying ceremony.

The South African Human Rights Commission has urged Ramaphosa to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the pursuit of justice and equality.

The Chapter 9 institution’s Chris Nissen said there were still many challenges that prevented citizens from fully accessing their rights.

“Yes, we’ve come a long way, [but] it’s about people who are supposed to execute the Constitution per the mandate.”

Meanwhile, ActionSA will also hold its own wreath-laying ceremony before visiting the Sharpeville Memorial, while the Democratic Alliance is expected to hold a demonstration at Walter Sisulu Square in Soweto.