WATCH: Navi Pillay calls on South Africans to uphold human rights in Diwali message

Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Nobel peace prize winner Navi Pillay has urged South Africans to oppose injustice and protect human dignity, linking Diwali’s values of righteousness and service to Ubuntu.

As Hindu’s prepare to celebrate Diwali on Sunday, Pillay emphasised that the celebration encompassed the moral obligation and responsibility of individuals and societies to oppose injustice and to uphold values of righteousness.

In a video she shared this week, Pillay said although Diwali was primarily a festival of religious and cultural pride, and heritage, it resonated with the universal values of peace, equality, human dignity, justice and freedom that underpinned modern human rights framework.

She said this could be interpreted as standing up to abuses of human rights, corruption, exploitation and violence.

“While human rights are often perceived as a Western concept, a common theme in the Hindu scriptures is a call for equality, fairness, justice and righteousness which is sensitive to human rights.

“Hinduism advocates the concept of a single humanity which is also reflected in the African concept of Ubuntu.”

Pillay said human rights, Hinduism, and the South African concept of Ubuntu were intrinsically linked.

“Of great significance given the current attack on human rights globally and specifically in South Africa, is the protection of and respect for human rights for all, irrespective of race, gender, citizenship or religious belief.

“This has been my compass throughout my career as a lawyer, judge, both locally and internationally and as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“It is similarly the responsibility of all of us, each and every person, to endeavour to respect and actively promote the protection of human rights for all persons.”

She said Diwali also places value on kindness, benevolence and service to others thereby promoting the culture of human rights and respect for fellow beings, and creating awareness that all communities have an obligation to care for the welfare of the marginalised and disadvantaged people. 

She commended the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) for launching their Shakti helpline, which she said embodied values and benevolence to care for disadvantaged people.

“The SAHMS Shakti helpline provides information and support and their outreach programs are extended to everybody irrespective of race or faith. I salute that.

“Although a helpline cannot solve the burning issues in  our country like unemployment, poverty or inequality, it can provide a helpful service.

“This includes information and referrals on gender-based violence, social grants, unemployment, uif, labour rights, food relief, debt counselling, skills training, job seeking, and small business support.

“This is important work and the sabha must not be distracted by any pressure from hard-line foreign groups to deviate from our constitutional values of ubuntu and non-racialism and respect for all racial groups. I am delighted to wish you all a happy Diwali,” Pillay said in her message.