The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, 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 2 December 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. ILO has adopted a new legally binding Protocol designed to strengthen global efforts to eliminate forced labour, which entered into force in November 2016.

FORUM: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 2020. "Slavery is not merely a historical relic."

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery. 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. In addition, more than 150 million children are subject to child labour, accounting for almost one in ten children around the world.

CAMPAIGN: We have the chance to make history. 50 for Freedom campaign; 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. Call on world leaders to ratify the ILO's Protocol on Forced Labour!

Statement by the Secretary-General on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 2020; December 2nd.

This year’s global protests against systemic racism have brought renewed attention to a legacy of injustices all over the world whose roots lie in the dark history of colonialism and slavery.

But slavery is not simply a matter of history.

Today, more than 40 million people are still victims of contemporary slavery.

Women and girls account for over 71 per cent.

Slavery manifests itself today through descent-based servitude, forced labour, child labour, domestic servitude, forced marriage, debt bondage, trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, and the forced recruitment of children in armed conflict.

Poor and marginalized groups, in particular racial and ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and migrants, are disproportionally affected by contemporary forms of slavery.

Gender inequality further reinforces patterns of discrimination.

Today, I call on Member States, civil society and the private sector to strengthen their collective efforts to end these abhorrent practices.

I also call for support to identify, protect and empower victims and survivors, including by contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

Next year is the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination.

This milestone document defines slavery and slavery-like practices as flagrant violations of human rights.

We cannot accept these violations in the 21st century.


Secretary-General António Guterres.