The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is annually observed across the globe on 23rd August to remember the tragedy of the slave trade across the globe during colonial rule.
- The day also aims to educate the people about the events associated with the slave trade and its consequences.
History:
i.During the 22nd to 23rd August 1791, the uprising in Santo Domingo (at present Haiti and the Dominican Republic) played a major role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
ii.The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) between the Haitian slaves, colonists, British and French colonizers and others, resulted in the independence of the Haitian independence from France and became the first country founded by former slaves.
Background:
i.International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was first observed in various counties like Haiti on 23 August 1998, and Goree in Senegal on 23 August 1999.
ii.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board adopted Resolution 29 C/40 at its 29th session and proclaimed the 23rd August of every year as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
iii.In 1998, the circular of the Director-General of UNESCO to the minister of culture of member states invited to organise the events to mark 23rd August of every year.
UNESCO’s Slave Route project:
i.The “Slave Route Project: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage” is a UNESCO initiative that was officially launched in 1994 in Ouidah, Benin.
ii.It is a flagship project of UNESCO and its International Scientific Committee.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
