What are Human Rights?

What are Human Rights?

The U.N.O defines Human rights as “The right inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other status. Every one is entitled to these rights without discrimination.”

The history of human rights has roots in all the great events of the world and it has sustained the struggle for freedom and equality everywhere. The United Nations Organisation (U.N.O) was formed after the Second World War. It proposed to deal with the consequences of war and to prevent such happenings in the future. UNO was established in 1945

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR) has played a crucial role in promoting human rights

End of Apartheid

Mandela raises his fist soon after his release from jail after 27 years

Apartheid was the highest  form  of discrimination that existed in South Africa. Places of residence were determined by racial classification.

It was the governing policy in the country by the minority whites over the majority non-whites. The people of South Africa protested against racial discrimination.

Nelson Mandela raised his voice against apartheid. When he organised defiant campaigns against the government, he was imprisoned. Amid growing domestic and international pressure and with the fear of a racial civil war, President F. W. de Klerk released him in 1990.

The efforts taken by Mandela and de Klerk put an end to apartheid. In 1994, a multiracial general election was held, in which Mandela led the African National Congress to victory and became President.