Director-General's remarks at the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery 
and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Friday, 22 March 2024, at 3.00 p.m.

Room XXII, Palais des Nations

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor to join you in commemorating the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. 

I wish to thank His Excellency Ambassador Amr Aboulatta and the Permanent Delegation of the African Union in Geneva for bringing us together.

Today, we are reminded of the scars left by one of the darkest chapters in human history. Over four centuries, approximately 15 million individuals, men, women, and children, endured unimaginable horrors – violence, exploitation, and often death. Yet, as the UN Secretary-General underlined, it is also a history of “courage that displayed human beings at their best – starting with enslaved people who rose up against impossible odds and extending to the abolitionists who spoke out against this atrocious crime”.

The theme of this year’s commemoration “Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations” underscores our commitment to addressing the pervasive heritage of slavery. The transatlantic slave trade remains a stain on our collective conscience, which calls for intensified efforts to combat racism and intolerance, and to strive for a world where freedom is not just a lofty ideal but a tangible reality for all.

As we reflect on the significance of this day, we cannot ignore the pivotal role of multilateralism in confronting the main issues of the past century, including the scourge of slavery. The first international instrument to fight against slavery – the Slavery Convention – was adopted under the auspices of the League of Nations in 1926. You can find the original 1926 Slavery Convention and archives related to the drafting of the International Bill of Rights displayed outside the room today on the occasion of this important event. Its enduring legacy is evidenced by subsequent conventions and ongoing initiatives aimed at eradicating modern forms of slavery.

Another important milestone is the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Article 4 of this document reads, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” 

As a unique multilateral platform, the UN has made every effort to address the global challenge of slavery and combat its impacts. Different legal mechanisms and practical tools have been developed to eradicate slavery-like practices that infringe human rights.

Eradicating modern slavery is included in the Sustainable Development Goals. Target 8.7 underscores our responsibility to end modern slavery, eradicate forced labor, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor. The UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery actively cooperates with the UN Member States in pursuing this target.

Moreover, we must recognize the interlinkages of modern slavery with other SDGs, particularly SDG 5 and SDG 16. According to ILO, IOM and Walk Free[1], around 50 million people are subjected to different forms of modern slavery, and 71 per cent of all victims are women and girls. Fighting gender inequality (SDG 5) contributes to reducing the vulnerability of women and girls to exploitation. Strengthening institutions and promoting access to justice (SDG 16) are equally essential in combating modern slavery and upholding the principles of peace and justice.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, behind the history of barbarity and brutality of the slavery system there is a growing interest in understanding its impact on the modern world. 

Access to primary sources is fundamental to explore, question and investigate the long-term consequences of slavery and slave trade. The UN Library & Archives here in Geneva serves as a repository of invaluable documents, enabling researchers worldwide to explore the multifaceted dimensions of this issue. 

More than 14 million pages of the archives held by the UN Library and Archives have been digitized and are available online, which enables researchers from all over the world to explore multilateral efforts to fight slavery and provide a new narrative, more decentralized and inclusive. 

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slaveryand the Transatlantic Slave Trade, let us draw lessons from the past and reaffirm our commitment to ending the cycle of exploitation and the system of injustice. We all have a role to play in building a world where freedom and dignity prevail.

Thank you.