International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually on 2 December to raise awareness of the historical and modern forms of slavery, protect victims and strengthen global efforts to eliminate slavery. Although modern slavery lacks a legal definition, it encompasses all forms of exploitation in which individuals are unable to resist due to threats, violence, deception or the use of power — including forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and the forced use of children in armed conflict. Modern slavery disproportionately affects women and children and persists as a problem transcending ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries in almost all countries.

Artistic Work Representing Slavery (AA)

History

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was established to commemorate the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 2 December 1949 under resolution 317 (IV).^【1】 This convention consolidated earlier agreements adopted in 1904, 1910, 1921 and 1933, as well as a draft convention prepared by the League of Nations in 1937. Its primary aim was to prevent trafficking in persons and the exploitation of prostitution, safeguard human dignity, ensure family welfare and promote social stability. The date of its adoption is also symbolically used to raise international awareness of the various forms of modern slavery.

Global Significance

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed to honour historical victims of slavery and raise awareness of modern forms of slavery. Approximately 15 million people forcibly taken and enslaved from Africa are remembered within this context. Today, governments, civil society, trade unions and businesses are called upon to collaborate in ensuring justice, compensation, rehabilitation and preventive measures to prevent recurrence of such exploitation.

The year 2026 is identified as a symbolic milestone for the international community’s commitment to abolishing slavery, marking the 100th anniversary of the Slavery Convention. The eradication of modern slavery is recognized as a goal requiring global cooperation and shared responsibility.

Modern Slavery and Its Forms

Modern slavery is linked to extreme poverty, discrimination, environmental degradation and the vulnerability of those displaced by armed conflict or migrating in search of safe living conditions. Criminal networks and human smugglers exploit these conditions. Modern slavery violates fundamental rights and freedoms, perpetuating structural inequalities and systemic injustices within societies.

Modern Slavery (Anadolu Agency)

The following forms of modern slavery are highlighted on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery:

• Forced labour: Forced labour is practiced by both the private sector and the state. According to 2021 data, 86% of forced labour cases occur in the private sector, while the remaining 14% are state-induced. Of private sector cases, 63% involve labour exploitation and 23% involve sexual exploitation. The most affected sectors are industry, services, agriculture and domestic work, accounting for 89% of all forced labour cases.^【2】

• Debt bondage and serfdom: Individuals lose their freedom due to economic and social pressures, resulting in debt bondage and serfdom.

• Human trafficking: Individuals are exploited for labour, sexual purposes or organ trade through threats, violence or deception. The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which entered into force in 2003, established a universal definition of human trafficking and provided for the protection of victims, prosecution of offenders and international cooperation. The Protocol considers the exploitation of children without their consent a crime, even in the absence of violence.

• Forced marriage and bride selling: This includes the marriage or sale of women and girls without their consent.

• Child labour and forced recruitment into armed conflict: Globally, one in ten children works, most of whom suffer economic exploitation. This violates children’s rights to education, health, physical and mental development and social well-being. The forced recruitment of children into armed conflict is also recognized as a form of modern slavery.

Global Situation

According to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 50 million people were subjected to modern slavery in 2021, representing an increase of 10 million since 2016. During the same period, the number of people subjected to forced labour reached 27.6 million, an increase of 2.7 million between 2016 and 2021. Regionally, Asia and the Pacific had the highest number with 15.1 million people, followed by Europe and Central Asia with 4.1 million, Africa with 3.8 million, the Americas with 3.6 million and Arab States with 0.9 million. Arab States recorded the highest prevalence rate of forced labour at 5.3 per thousand, followed by Europe and Central Asia at 4.4 per thousand, the Americas and Asia-Pacific at 3.5 per thousand, and Africa at 2.9 per thousand. The global annual profit generated from modern slavery is estimated at approximately USD 236 billion. This amount results in serious consequences including the theft of victims’ rights, state tax losses, the strengthening of organized crime and the weakening of the rule of law.^【3】

International Regulations

Among the key international instruments combating modern slavery is the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly under resolution 55/25^【4】 and entering into force on 25 December 2003. This protocol provides a universal definition of human trafficking and mandates the protection of victims, prosecution of offenders and international cooperation.^【5】

In addition, the Additional Protocol to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, which entered into force in 2016, is recognized as a binding international instrument strengthening the global fight against forced labour.^【6】 These instruments reinforce the international community’s collective efforts to prevent modern slavery, protect victims’ rights and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.