December 2

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The United Nations International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is commemorated on December 2 annually to remind people about slavery and that it works against human rights.
http://www.un.org/ - This day recalls the date of adoption by 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). In 1985, to recall the convention, a UN report of the Working Group on Slavery recommended December 2 to be proclaimed as the World Day for the Abolition of Slavery. By 1995, the name of the day was changed and known as the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

Short History: Transatlantic slavery was abolished in 1807, but some forms exist even today. Way back, it had a huge impact on the culture and economy of the society.

The first recoded British voyage to West Africa to capture people for slavery in the Caribbean was in 1562. By 1698, the London-based trade had captured over 1,00,000 Africans to work in the sugar plantations thereby reaping great benefits. Ship building for transport, cotton production and shackle-making for imprisonment made small towns into industrial cities. 10 million out of 24 million survived the Atlantic crossing. Slaves were beaten, under-fed and worked throughout day and night. They had no legal rights and were considered as an inferior property. The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and The Sons of Africa (a group of Black community leaders including Olaudah Equiano) filed petitions, gathered testimonies from slaves and demanded a change in the law for the abolition of slavery. Though on March 25, 1807 slavery was abolished by law, it was only 1833 that it was completely abolished.

In America, African slaves were brought by 1607. From 1654 to 1865, slavery was considered legal in America and the conditions of the slaves was no better than in Britain. They were whipped, beaten, metal collars were used on them or placed in chains. It usually came from the plantation owner, his wife or children (white males) and by the overseer. Chattel slavery was widespread and about 12 million Africans were shipped to America from the 16th to the 19th centuries, though only about 50 -60% actually reached America. In 1780, according to the Massachusetts Constitution, a slave Quock Walker sued for his freedom, won it and slavery was abolished in Massachusetts. On December 6, 1865 due to the abolitionist movement led by William Lloyd Garrison and the American Colonization Society; under the third amendment of the United States Constitution, slavery was officially abolished in America forever.

Ground Reality: Slavery exists even today in a number of different forms such as bonded and forced labour which especially comes in the form of child labour. Over 1 million children are trafficked each year for cheap labour and sexual exploitation. Across the worlds, millions of children do extremely hazardous work in harmful conditions. Full time work at dangerous places sometimes leads to putting the children’s life at risk. They are paid very badly and there is no access to education or escape from poverty. One in 12 of the world's 5-17 year olds work in conditions subjected to psychological, verbal, physical and sexual abuse.

Hence, December 2 is celebrated throughout the world by people creating awareness in the form of opinion pieces, news, feature articles, poetry and much more. History is revised and students and people learn about the negative impacts of slavery on the society. Online, print and broadcast media hold talks and write-ups on the institution of slavery and why it should be banned.