Protect our rights - stop discrimination!

Every year on 10 December countries all over the world join hands to mark the importance of respecting and protecting the basic rights of human beings on International Human Rights Day. This event is held annually to not only remind the human race of the great human rights achievements that we have made, but to also highlight how much still needs to be done.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to provide you with some valuable information on diabetes.

Human rights defenders
This year the theme for International Human Rights Day is "Human rights defenders who act to end discrimination." These human rights defenders are the brave individuals who make sacrifices and often put themselves at great risk in order to stop discriminatory behaviour.

While some of these people are famous for what they do, many are unsung heroes who are quietly making a big difference in the world. This year Human Rights Day celebrates all of these individuals and recognises the important work that they do for society. The Day also serves to communicate a message to the younger members of society about the importance of standing up for human rights so that humanitarian efforts can continue into the future.

Discrimination in the world today
Discrimination can take a number of forms and is a worldwide problem. Many people in South African are victims of the different types of discrimination that exist, including:

 Discrimination against indigenous peoples
 Discrimination against foreigners
 Discrimination against minorities
 Discrimination against people with disabilities
 Discrimination against women
 Racial discrimination
 Religious discrimination
 Gender discrimination.

A South African hero
One of the most well recognised and world-renowned human rights activists is the man who stood up for freedom from discrimination and changed the face of South Africa forever. He is our very own Nelson ‘Madiba' Mandela. 

Madiba's fight against discrimination led to his imprisonment on Robben Island, isolated from the rest of the world for almost 27 years. However, he never gave up on his cause to protect the basic human right of freedom for South Africans. This was a cause for which he was willing to sacrifice his own life, as he stated at his trial:

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

A victory over discrimination in South Africa
In 1993, three years after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, alongside FW de Klerk, on behalf of all those who had made sacrifices for freedom and peace in South Africa.

A year later South Africa had its very first free and fair democratic elections, after which Nelson Mandela was made President. This marked one of the greatest achievements in the worldwide fight against discrimination and symbolised a victory for human rights activists all over the globe.

The future
While South Africa and the rest of the world have come a long way in the development and preservation of human rights, many people are still suffering from forms of discrimination.

This International Human Rights Day, people are urged to be aware of the different forms of discrimination in the world around us and to stand up for the protection of human rights against the discriminatory behaviour that threatens them.

For any GEMS member queries, please contact the GEMS Call Centre on 0860 00 4367 or visit our website at www.gems.gov.za. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and wellbeing.

Sources:
Human Rights Day 2010 - United Nations Human Rights - www.ohchr.org
Human Rights Day - Human Rights Education Associates - www.hrea.org
Prisoner 466/64 - The Nelson Mandela Foundation - www.nelsonmandela.org