The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is annually observed across the globe on 25th March to commemorate the memory of the victims of Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The day also offers the opportunity to honour and remember the people who have suffered and died because of the slavery system.
The theme of 2022 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is “Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism”.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution 62/122 on 17th December 2007 and declared 25th March of every year as International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
ii.The first-ever International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade was observed on 25th March 2008.
- The resolution also called for the establishment of an outreach programme to mobilize educational institutions, civil society and other organizations to inculcate in future generations the “causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade, and to communicate the dangers of racism and prejudice”.
Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery:
The Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery was established in 2006 with the adoption of UNGA resolution 61/19 on 28th November 2006.
Transatlantic Slave Trade:
The Atlantic slave trade, transatlantic slave trade, or Euro-American slave trade involved the transportation by slave traders of various enslaved African people, mainly to the Americas.
Events:
Rhythms of Resistance:
Along with UNESCO and UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund, The Department of Global Communications, which manages the UN Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery organised an online cultural event “Rhythms of Resistance,”, highlight the history of the transatlantic slave trade and the ongoing legacy of racism.
Exhibit on Racism:
i.An exhibit entitled “Us and Them: From Prejudice to Racism” is on display in the Visitors Lobby at UN Headquarters from 16 February until 5 April 2022.
The exhibit is organized in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, France.
ii.The exhibit examines the science behind “race”; how racism flourished during the transatlantic slave trade; and how slavery’s legacy of racism can be fought at multiple levels.
Ark of Return – the permanent Memorial:
The UN has unveiled the Ark of Return – a permanent memorial to honour victims of slavery in New York on March 25, 2015. It was designed by Haitian-American architect Rodney Leon.
