Why is it important to remember this day?

What is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition?

The 23rd August is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This was first celebrated in Haiti (then Saint Domigue) in 1998 and Gorée Island in Senegal in 1999, but the international recognition for this day was set up by UNESCO in 2016. It marks the beginning of the uprising in Saint Domigue against French colonial rule in 1791 which played a crucial role in abolishing the transatlantic slave trade.

In the 18th century, Saint Domigue was one of France’s wealthiest overseas colonies through its production of sugar, coffee, indigo, and cotton by the enslaved labour force. Although there were previous slave rebellions, the uprising in 1791 was key to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and was inspired by the French Revolution in 1789.

During the transatlantic slave trade, millions of African people were kidnapped, sold, and transported across the Atlantic to work in awful conditions to create profitable plantations. Countries like Britain became wealthy through this trade of people and the goods they produced whilst enslaved. Around two million lives were lost during the Middle Passage, the journey across the Atlantic, and many had to work long hours on plantations and experienced beatings and lynchings.

Why is it important to remember this day?

The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is important to remind people globally of the tragedy of the slave trade and those who fought against oppression. The struggles of the freedom fighters contributed to universal human rights and collective freedom experienced today, however the extreme trauma and cruel acts they experienced is often forgotten. It is an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes and consequences of the slave trade and its impact today.

The transatlantic slave trade has systemic roots embedded in the world economic, educational, and political institutions today and highlights the consequences of treating people without equal rights.

Links to current issues today.

The International Day of Remembering of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is an opportunity to highlight the fact that trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation is present today.

Current Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking issues: 

• In the UK alone, it was estimated that there were at least 100,000 victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) in 2023 (House of Commons, 2023).
• Organ trafficking.
• The ongoing crisis in Palestine presents an opportunity for a surge in human trafficking.
• Traffickers capitalising on major sporting events like the Paris Olympics by increasing their online advertisements with the increased demand.

STOP THE TRAFFIK works towards stopping MSHT through the use of data and technology. Our Prevention Programs use geo-targeted advertisements and social media to provide safety information to at-risk communities. Providing knowledge and tools like the STOP APP and the Traffik Analysis Hub provide people with the power to stop trafficking, and focusing on prevention can help disrupt the business of MSHT by making the industry high-risk and low-profit.

Remembering the abolition of the slave trade annually works to unite people globally through collective memory and shared history to work together towards a better world for everyone. It is a day to remember those who were enslaved, lost their lives, and their fight for freedom.

“Remembering is vital to our future.

If we forget the horror of the past we lose who we are in the present and our urgency to be the generation that turns the tide.

But remembering is not enough. We must reimagine how we can STOP THE TRAFFIK in this, our moment in history, relentlessly taking action to change today and realise tomorrow.

I believe that can only happen when we share what we know, making this criminal business transparent, at risk of being seen and removal of its ability to make money.

We are preventing.

We are disrupting.

May those who come after us look back and remember us well.”

Ruth Dearnley OBE, CEO of STOP THE TRAFFIK

Sources

• https://www.unesco.org/en/days/slave-trade-remembrance
• https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/international-slavery-remembrance-day
• https://indonesia.un.org/en/242956-international-day-remembrance-slave-trade-and-its-abolition-23-august
• https://www.understandingslavery.com/?_gl=1%2Amqdmsq%2A_gcl_au%2AOTMyMTI0NDcwLjE3MjQyMzI1NjE.%2A_ga%2AMTQxMDY3MTA4MS4xNzI0MjMyNTYy%2A_ga_7JJ3J5DBF6%2AMTcyNDIzMjU2MS4xLjEuMTcyNDIzNDAzNS42MC4wLjA.
• https://www.unesco.org/en/routes-enslaved-peoples#:~:text=Slavery%2C%20Racism%20and%20Discrimination,-How%20can%20we&text=Through%20the%20staging%20of%20shows,the%20minds%20of%20young%20people.
• https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/media-centre/blog/black-lives-matter-and-de-colonising-trade/
• https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/goal-10/
• https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmhaff/124/report.html#:~:text=There%20were%2016%2C938%20referrals%20in,human%20trafficking%20in%20the%20UK.
• https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/women/programs-services/reducing-violence/anti-human-trafficking-strategy