International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2016, August 23.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition , August 23.




The Slave Route 1994-2014 - The Road Travelled

Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2016, August 23rd.

In the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, men and women, torn from Africa and sold into slavery, revolted against the slave system to obtain freedom and independence for Haiti, gained in 1804. The uprising was a turning point in human history, greatly impacting the establishment of universal human rights, for which we are all indebted.

The courage of these men and women has created obligations for us. UNESCO is marking International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition to pay tribute to all those who fought for freedom, and, in their name, to continue teaching about their story and the values therein. The success of this rebellion, led by the slaves themselves, is a deep source of inspiration today for the fight against all forms of servitude, racism, prejudice, racial discrimination and social injustice that are a legacy of slavery.

The history of the slave trade and slavery created a storm of rage, cruelty and bitterness that has not yet abated. It is also a story of courage, freedom and pride in newfound freedom. All of humanity is part of this story, in its transgressions and good deeds. It would be a mistake and a crime to cover it up and forget. Through its project The Slave Route, UNESCO intends to find in this collective memory the strength to build a better world and to show the historical and moral connections that unite different peoples.

In this same frame of mind, the United Nations proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). UNESCO is contributing to it through its educational, cultural and scientific programmes so as to promote the contribution of people of African descent to building modern societies and ensuring dignity and equality for all human beings, without distinction.

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General.

 

The Project's Achievements

• Recognition of the slave trade and slavery as a crime against humanity
• Proclamation of 23 August, International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
•  Proclamation of 2004, International Year to commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition
•  Proclamation of 2011, International Year for People of African Descent
•  Construction of a Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations
• Proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024)
• Creation of the first international network of managers of sites and itineraries of memory related to the slave trade and slavery, and the establishment of a label "Sites of memory associated with the project The Slave Route"
• Implementation of 250 projects through various partnerships
• Reference publications

  

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 2015, December 2nd

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December.

 Día Internacional para la Abolición de la Esclavitud, 2 de diciembre.

 اليوم الدولي لإلغاء الرق، 2 كانون الأول.

Международный день борьбы за отмену рабства, 2 декабря.

废除奴隶制国际日, 12月2日.

Journée internationale pour l'abolition de l'esclavage, 2 décembre.

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 2015.

This International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is more than a reminder of past crimes – it is a chance to renew our resolve to combat contemporary problems.
Slavery has many modern forms, from the children toiling as domestic servants, farmhands and factory workers, to the bonded labourers struggling to pay off ever-surmounting debts, to the victims of sex trafficking who endure horrific abuse.
Although statistics about these crimes are difficult to compile, experts estimate that nearly 21 million people are enslaved in our world today. We have a responsibility to them – and to all those at risk – to end this outrage.
This is all the more important in our era of severe humanitarian crises. More than 60 million people have been driven from their homes. They may be at risk of trafficking and enslavement – along with millions of others crossing borders in search of a better life.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers an opportunity to fundamentally alter the conditions that fuel poverty, injustice and gender discrimination. By adopting it, world leaders committed to strengthen prosperity, peace and freedom for all people. They specifically set the objectives of eradicating forced labour and human trafficking – and ending all forms of modern slavery and child labour.
As we strive to achieve these targets, we must also rehabilitate freed victims and help them integrate into society. The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery has for more than two decades extended humanitarian, financial and legal assistance to tens of thousands of victims around the world, making a meaningful difference in their lives. I urge Member States, businesses, private foundations and other donors to demonstrate their commitment to ending slavery by ensuring that this Fund has the resources to fulfil its mandate.
On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, let us resolve to use the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a roadmap for stamping out root causes and freeing all enslaved people in our world.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General.

FORUM : International Day for the Abolition of Slavery - December 02

#50FF.

How can you help end modern slavery?

Everybody has a part to play in the fight to end modern slavery. Join the 50 for Freedom Campaign and find out what you can do, online and in your community, to make a difference.

Download the campaign brochure

 Write an email or send a letter to your local government representatives.

 Tell them that you support the Forced Labour Protocol and explain why you think your government should ratify it. Let them know that ending modern slavery is important to you and that you want to see concrete action. Even one message from a concerned supporter sends policy makers a powerful message that citizens care.

Resources :

• Forced labour, human trafficking and slavery
• Child Protection from Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
• Blue Heart Campaign
• Trafficking in Human Misery
• Modern Forms of Slavery