On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, an uprising in Saint Domingue (now Haiti) marked a pivotal moment in the fight against the transatlantic slave trade. To honor this event, the is observed annually on August 23. This day was first commemorated in Haiti (1998) and on Gorée Island, Senegal (1999). It aims to keep the memory of the slave trade alive, encouraging reflection on its historical causes, methods, and consequences while fostering dialogue among Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
Slavery and Human Trafficking
exposes how traffickers exploit migrants and urges all people on the move to report abuse, affirming their rights regardless of immigration status.
Through powerful survivor testimonies and public art, IOM Moldova brings visibility to trafficking victims and strengthens national response efforts.
Human trafficking continues to be a global threat driven by organized crime. More and more victims are being trafficked every year, across greater distances, with greater violence, for longer periods of time and for greater profit. Despite some progress, criminal justice responses fall short in tackling this rapidly evolving crime. for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July) highlights the vital role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in dismantling organized trafficking networks, while ensuring a victim-centred approach.
A new reveals significant differences in how countries criminalize migrant smuggling, despite global efforts to tackle this organized crime.
Reparations for the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade âcanât be quantifiedâ given the vast historical sweep of human history, according to the first Black African to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, Wole Soyinka.
The longtime Nigerian democracy activist was at UN Headquarters in New York to take part in commemorations for the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery, telling the General Assembly that it remains crucial to confront centuries of wrongdoing.
Ana Carmo sat down with him in our UN News studio following the event and asked him to outline to the international community.
Gorée Island, serves as a solemn reminder of the transatlantic slave trade, where heritage preservation and daily life coexist, highlighting its significance in preserving the painful history for future generations, with the standing as a powerful testament to the past.
Recognizing the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade is crucial for confronting our history, repairing current injustices, and creating a future that respects dignity and fairness for everyone. It is essential to establish reparative justice measures that confront this past and its ongoing effects recalls the UN Secretary-General for the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March). Today, the General Assembly commemorates the Day with Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature Wole Soyinka as keynote speaker. Watch live on
On the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, we remember that 50 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced marriage. These abuses violate human rights and hinder development. The recently adopted Pact for the Future aims to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, and child labor. To turn this vision into action, governments must strengthen law enforcement and support victims, while businesses should ensure ethical supply chains and fair labor practices. Together, we can combat and abolish modern slavery in all its forms.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, around 27 million Africans were forcefully taken from their homes and shipped across the Atlantic. Only 7.4 million reached their destination, where they faced exploitation and abuse. The impact of the slave trade persists, perpetuating racism and inequality. established 23 August as the to bring attention to the history of enslavement. , let's pay tribute to the victims and freedom fighters by renewing our commitment to eradicating racism and discrimination.
Amid the arid landscapes of Zinder, a migration-prone area in central-eastern Niger, 11-year-old Zara's journey back home sheds light on the battle against child trafficking. Zara was sent to Algeria by her mother to find work but was intercepted during the journey. According to the International Organization for Migration (), more than half of the child victims the involvement of friends and family in their recruitment into trafficking, especially where extreme poverty is common. The Centre for Victims of Trafficking, managed by the National Agency for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Illicit Migration with support from IOM, has become a sanctuary for survivors like Zara.
Globally, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child, and the majority of these trafficked children are girls. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (), children are twice as likely as adults to face violence during trafficking. The proliferation of online platforms poses additional risks, as children often connect to these sites without adequate safeguards. The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July) calls on States to prioritize the protection of children, strengthen laws, improve law enforcement and provide more resources to combat child trafficking.
Didier Drogba cautions young African footballers on the perils of exploitation and human trafficking as part of a campaign by the , FIFPRO, and the Didier Drogba Foundation, aiming to raise awareness and protect aspiring players.
The transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans represents one of the most horrific eras in human history. For four hundred years, enslaved Africans fought for their freedom, while colonial powers and others committed horrific crimes against them. On the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March), the United Nations honors the millions of Africans who were trafficked and enslaved. To mark the occasion, the General Assembly will hold a meeting and the UN Outreach Programme will host two new exhibits highlighting the horrors of slavery.
Earlier in December, the UN Department of Global Communications hosted Knowledge, History and Power, an event featuring noted journalists Nikole Hannah-Jones and Laura Trevelyan. The event was organized by the Department of Global Communications Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in collaboration with the Universities Studying Slavery Consortium.
Pauline Batista from UN News talked to both award-winning journalists about the challenges, hopes and dreams for âthe future of reparations,â in the United States and globally.
Photo Credit: UN News/Pauline Batista