Hon Deputy Speaker, all the basic human rights as entrenched in our Constitution are all hard- earned. This against the horrific and grief-stricken history of this country is the very reason we commemorate Human Rights Day.
We do this precisely because our country, for much of the past 300 years and the nine wasted years in particular has not honoured people's right to dignity, freedom and safety. And one only has to look at the shocking statistics released every year by the SA Police regarding rape and other forms of gender-based violence to realise that human rights violations are not a thing of the past. Gender-based and sexual violence have become part of the fabric of our social climate in South Africa.
Lest we forget the bravery of the men and woman who selflessly dedicated their lives to protest against the pass laws in Sharpeville and all around the country on the 21st of March 1960, for which this day was marked. The IFP salutes these fallen heroes.