Each year on this day we honour the memory of the millions of men,
women and children who endured the curse of slavery. By recalling the
causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade, we
recommit to educating current and future generations of the dangers of
racism and prejudice.
The theme of this year’s observance is
“Victory over Slavery: Haiti and Beyond”. It pays tribute to the fight
against slavery in nations around the world and marks 210 years since
the Republic of Haiti became the first nation to win independence as a
result of the struggle of enslaved men and women. We are also marking
the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Slave Route Project, launched to
break the silence surrounding the slave trade and its consequences.
At United Nations Headquarters, work is under way on a Permanent
Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
It will stand as a constant reminder of the courage of slaves,
abolitionists and unsung heroes who helped end the oppression of
slavery. It will promote greater recognition of the contributions that
slaves and their descendants have made in their societies.
I
hope the Memorial will also be a source of inspiration in the continuing
fight against the many forms of slavery that still exist today. Around
the world, millions of people are subject to human trafficking, debt
bondage, sexual slavery and domestic servitude while the perpetrators of
these violations of human rights operate with impunity.
On this day, let us remember the abuses of the past and intensify our efforts to end those of the present.
Ban Ki Moon
With calls to remember the abuses of the past and intensify efforts
to end those of the present, United Nations officials are marking the
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade by urging the international community to work towards a future in which no form of human slavery exists.
“By recalling the causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic
slave trade, we recommit to educating current and future generations of
the dangers of racism and prejudice,” said
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his
message on the Day, which this year is on the theme, “Victory over Slavery: Haiti and Beyond.”
On March 25 every year since 2007, the UN marks the International Day to
honour the more than 15 million men, women, and children who suffered
and died during the more than 400-year transatlantic slave trade, the
largest forced migration in history.
While paying tribute to the fight against slavery in nations around the
world, this year’s commemoration also marks 210 years since Haiti was
founded on 1 January 1804; the first Republic established as a result of
the victorious struggle of enslaved people – led by Toussaint
L’Ouverture – for their freedom and independence.
In addition, 2014 also marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (
UNESCO)
Slave Route Project, launched in Benin in 1994, with the goal of
breaking the silence surrounding the slave trade and its consequences.
Delivering the keynote address at the UN General Assembly’s annual
commemorative meeting, Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti,
said: “We are here because we believe in our duty to remember; we know
how important it is to draw lessons from the past to build a better
future.”
Remembering can be difficult, particularly when the subject is so
horrific, but it is vital nevertheless to pay tribute to the innumerable
victims of the Transatlantic slave trade, she said, also hailing the
memory of those who rose up against 400 years of history and those
enlightened thinkers who championed the inalienable rights of all human
beings.
Starting 2014, worldwide activities are being organized throughout the
year. At UN Headquarters in New York, work is currently under way on a
Permanent Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave
Trade. Designed by Rodney Leon, an American architect of Haitian
descent,
The Ark of Return, was selected last August as the winning design through an international competition.
“I hope the Memorial will also be a source of inspiration in the
continuing fight against the many forms of slavery that still exist
today,” Mr. Ban said in a statement delivered to the Assembly by his
Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra, adding that the memorial will promote
greater recognition of the contributions that slaves and their
descendants have made in their societies.
In his
remarks,
General Assembly President John Ashe said that while reflecting on the
past, it is important to acknowledge the cruelties that continue to
exist today. “Foremost, slavery still stalks our planet in many forms
and manifestations,” he said.
Indeed, too many innocent women and young girls are held in bondage and
are denied their freedom and right to live in dignity due to human
trafficking and sexual exploitation. Too many children are held in
servitude and are victims of child labour, he continued.
“Combating such abuses is a daunting challenge. We must turn our
commitments into concrete action so that women and the young can live
without fear and want,” Mr. Ashe said.
The UN International Labour Organization (
ILO),
which reports that about 21 million people are victims of modern-day
slavery, marked the occasion today by hosting a Google+ Hangout with the
descendants of Solomon Northup, whose life and memoir inspired the
Oscar-winning film
12 Years A Slave.
Two of Northup's descendants – Irene Northup-Zahos, a 72-year-old
retired nurse who is Northup’s great-great-granddaughter, and Melissa
Howell, Northup’s 42-year-old great-great-great-granddaughter – are
teaming up to talk about Northup’s legacy and the horrors of modern-day
slavery: forced labor and human trafficking across the world.
