Commemorations

Various Days offer the International Community the occasion to meet on the issue of slave trade and slavery. They provide the necessary opportunity for a memory duty on this sad page of our history, in order to honour all the victims of four centuries of human tragedy, but also those who opposed and triumphed over this “crime against humanity”.

These commemorative days serve to deepen the reflexion on the contemporary consequences of this tragedy and its implications in our society today, namely racism and racial discrimination, intolerance, but also all the modern forms of slavery, of exploitation and of human bondage.

• International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 march)

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed on 17 December 2007 Resolution A/RES/62/122 adopting the 25 March as the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The goal of this commemoration is to focus on the 400 years that lasted transatlantic slave trade as well as its long term consequences in the world. More

• International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and of its Abolition (23 August)

As an answer to the growing interest to and expectations generated by the launching in 1994 of The Slave Route Project, UNESCO’s General Conference, by its Resolution29/C40, proclaimed the 23 August International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and of its Abolition.

Restating historical facts, development of international solidarity, promotion of tolerance and human rights by a mobilization and implication of all stakeholders (Member States, International organizations and Non Governmental Organisations, civil society and private sector), constitute the major stakes ahead this celebration

This date symbolises the fact that slaves were the principal actors of their freedom. Effectively, the insurrection that occurred in Saint Domingue (today Republic of Haiti and Dominican Republic), in the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, irremediably affected slavery system. This revolt was the start point to the transatlantic slave trade abolition process. Besides, this date pays tribute to the historic resistance that leaded to the creation of the first black independent State, the Republic of Haiti. More

• International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (2 December)

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, recalls 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). More

• International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (2004)

By its Resolution 57/195, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2004 International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition. This Year marked the bicentenary and the creation of the first black State, Haiti. This country symbolises the struggle and resistance of slaves that enabled the triumph of principles of freedom, equality, dignity and individual’s rights. This commemoration has also provided an avenue for a fraternal gathering between Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. More

Similar Commemorations

• International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (27 January)

• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March)

• International Day for Tolerance (16 November)