2 December: International Day for Abolition of Slavery

Every year 2 December is observed as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, across the world. The yearly event is organized by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and was first celebrated in 1986.

International Day for Abolition of Slavery

Objective: The day focuses on eradication of contemporary forms of slavery, like trafficking in persons, forced marriage, worst forms of child labour, forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict and sexual exploitation.

Why the date? On 2 December1949, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved the Convention for Suppression of Traffic in Persons and of Exploitation of Prostitution of Others.

Other Efforts: On 18 December 2002, UNGA by its resolution 57/195 of 2002 proclaimed 2004 to be- ‘International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition’. In November 2016 International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted a new legally binding Protocol designed to strengthen global efforts to eliminate forced labour, which entered into force. Moreover, ILO also launched, 50 for Freedom campaign which aims to persuade about 50 countries to ratify Forced Labour Protocol by end of 2019.

Main Forms of Modern Slavery:

1. Forced labour
2. Child labour
3. Trafficking

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019