PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly have designated December 2nd as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, to mark the date of the adoption of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of December 2nd, 1949). The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. Discrimination, including harmful traditional practices, plays a significant role in exacerbating the vulnerability of groups to exploitation.
FORUM: “It's Time to End modern slavery.” International Day of Abolition of Slavery 2024. Globally, 50 million people are trapped today in different forms of modern slavery, such as forced labour, trafficking in persons or domestic servitude. Although modern slavery is not defined in law, it is used as an umbrella term covering practices such as forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. Essentially, it refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power. Modern slavery occurs in almost every country in the world, and cuts across ethnic, cultural and religious lines. More than half (52%) of all forced labour and a quarter of all forced marriages can be found in upper-middle income or high-income countries. ILO has adopted a legally binding Protocol designed to strengthen global efforts to eliminate forced labour, which entered into force in November 2016. Ending Modern Slavery requires bold action by frontline leaders, donors, governments and a movement of collaborators. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #ModernSlavery, #forcedlabour, #EndHumanTrafficking, #2December, #SlaveryAbolitionDay.
EVENTS: Celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Convention for the suppression of the Traffic in persons. The ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labour could restore hope and freedom to millions of people trapped in modern slavery. But first it must be ratified by countries around the world. We have the chance to make history. On December 2nd, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a conference to mark the 75th anniversary of the Convention for the suppression of the Traffic in persons and to observe the International Day of Abolition of Slavery 2024 at UNHQ.
Key objectives of the session:
Reflect on the Forum’s theme of ‘Towards Effective Change in Implementing Obligations, Responsibilities and Remedies.’;
Analyse how different stakeholders can act to ensure the effective implementation of the UNGPs and promote respect for human rights in business activities;
Discuss how judicial and non-judicial grievance mechanisms, State-based and non-State based, can ensure access to effective remedy;
Identify opportunities and obstacles for moving forward to make effective change; and
Share positive practical examples of actions taken, including those that have been featured during the UN Forum.
EXHIBIT: The “Ark of Return” at UNHQ honours the victims of slavery and highlights the legacy of the slave trade.
PUBLICATIONS: An estimated 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any given day in 2021, an increase of 10 million people since 2016. The Global Slavery Index 2023 presents a country-by-country breakdown of this estimate and provides an assessment of the level of action governments are taking to address the issue. The Global Slavery Index reveals the number of people living in modern slavery has grown since 2018 against a backdrop of increasing and more complex conflicts. Read the full report.
STATEMENT: “On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, we shine a light on the estimated 50 million people worldwide trapped in horrific conditions – from human trafficking to forced labour, sexual exploitation and forced marriage.“. Read the full Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 2024; December 2nd.
PODCASTS: Governments, employers' organizations, trade unions and civil society must come together to help End Modern Slavery. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Let us join forces to end the degradation and inhumanity of modern slavery once and for all. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day for the Abolition of Salvery is hosted by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Member States, the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI), the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, the Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), the UNFPA, the UNESCO and the UNICEF.
With the participation of Civil Society Organizations, International and Non- Governmental Organizations, Museums, historians, Librarians, Researchers and Academics.
The 2nd of December is a day of remembrance and recognition and an urgent call to action. We must never forget the immeasurable suffering of millions of African men, women and children under the evil of the transatlantic slave trade. The racist legacy of slavery reverberates to this day. And while some may believe slavery to be a thing of the past, this evil continues to blight our modern world. Debt bondage, serfdom and forced labour, trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation -- including sexual exploitation, forced marriage, child labour -- and the recruitment of children in armed conflict – are contemporary manifestations of slavery. All are crimes and egregious violations of human rights. Modern slavery often hides in plain sight.
Establish the connection between racism, discrimination, and human trafficking.
Honour the resilience of those who endured and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the universal quest for freedom.
Help the Poor and the marginalized groups in particular racial and ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, refugees and migrants who suffer for Modern slavery.
Ensure decent work and prevent human rights violations across global supply chains.
Strengthen collective action to end the heinous practice of slavery.
Intensify efforts to identify and protect victims and survivors.
Contribute to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
Make a donation.
Make a stand to end modern slavery