The Sharpeville Massacre was a tragic event that highlighted the gross violation of human rights perpetrated by the apartheid regime in South Africa
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. On March 21, 1960, police officers in a black township in South Africa opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws, killing 69.
The following human rights were violated in the Sharpeville Massacre:
Right to life: The protesters who were killed had their basic right to life denied
Freedom of assembly and association: The protesters were peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws when they were attacked by police
Freedom of expression: The protesters were expressing their opposition to the pass laws when they were attacked by police
Protection from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment: The police used excessive force against the protesters, resulting in many deaths and injuries
Non-discrimination: The apartheid regime denied the rights and freedoms of anyone who was not considered “white” under a system called “apartheid”
The Sharpeville Massacre was a turning point in the history of South African apartheid and exposed the apartheid government's deliberate violation of human rights to the world