The United Nation’s (UN) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is annually observed across the globe on 23 August to mark the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade during the era of colonial governance, in the memory of all peoples.
- The annual observance of the day is led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Significance:
i.The Day raises awareness about the abolition of slave trading and related practices and recognises the equal and unconditional dignity of each individual.
ii.The Day serves as an opportunity for collective recognition and reflection on the historical causes, methods, and consequences of slavery.
Background:
i.In 1997, the 29th session of the UNESCO General Conference adopted the resolution 29 C/40, proclaiming 23 August of every year as ‘International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.’
ii.The Circular CL/3494 of 29 July 1998 was issued by the Director-General(DG) of UNESCO, inviting Ministers of Culture of all member states to promote the day.
iii.The Day was 1st observed in Haiti on 23 August 1998, and Gorée Island in Senegal on 23 August 1999.
Why 23 August?
23 August was the day that self-liberated enslaved people on the island of Saint Domingue (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) rose against French colonial rule in 1791, and played a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
Slave Trading:
i.The slave trade refers to the transatlantic trading patterns which were established as early as the mid-17th century.
- The transatlantic slave trade, or Atlantic slave trade was the largest long-distance forced movement of people in recorded history.
ii.It was an oceanic trade involving the transportation of enslaved African men, women, and children from Africa to the Americas by European slave traders from the 16th to 19th centuries (1860s).
iii.The trade was initiated by the Portuguese and Spanish, especially after the settlement of sugar plantations in the Americas.
iv.The Middle Passage refers to the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas as part of the Atlantic slave trade.
Note: on 25 March 1807, the British government passed an Act of Parliament for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, banning trading in enslaved people in the British Empire.
Haitian Revolution:
i.The Haitian Revolution was a series of conflicts between 1791 and 1804 that involved Haitian slaves, colonists, and the armies of the British and French colonisers.
ii.The revolution began on the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, when slaves in northern Saint Domingue organised a rebellion against French colonial rule.
iii.The rebel forces continued to fight for their freedom and on 1 January 1804, Haiti was declared as an independent nation.
iv.The Haitian Revolution created Haiti, the 2nd independent country in the Americas after the United States of America (USA) became independent in 1783.
- The Haitian Revolution was the world’s only successful slave revolt, and resulted in the establishment of Haiti, the first independent black state in the world.
UNESCO Slave Route Project:
i.In 1994, UNESCO launched the “Routes of Enslaved Peoples: Resistance, Liberty and Heritage” program (originally named “The Slave Route Project”) at Ouidah in Benin, to contribute to developing knowledge about slavery and the slave trade.
ii.The International Scientific Committee (ISC) of the program consists of 20 members appointed by the Director General of UNESCO.
- The main function of the Committee is to advise UNESCO on the implementation of the Programme.
iii.2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the Routes of Enslaved Peoples Program.
Note: On 23 August every year, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, the United Kingdom (UK) organises various events to commemorate International Slavery Remembrance Day and the long struggle for liberation throughout the world.
Related Observance:
The UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is annually observed across the globe on 25 March to honour and remember those who suffered and died as a result of the brutal slavery system.
- 2024 theme: “Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations.”
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO):
Director-General(DG)– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established – 1945
