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.

	Timbre à l'effigie de Toussaint Louverture - Libre de droit

• 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)

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)

12th International Remembrance Day : A Global Commemoration

Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, 23 August 2010

Permanent Memorial at the United Nations in Honour of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

3rd Annual Student Video Conference in the frame of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (March 26th 2010)

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 25th March

Cubans celebrate Amistad's arrival in historic slave-trade port of Matanzas

UNESCO marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March) with youth forum and new campaign with F.C. Barcelona

Tribute to the victimes

Abstract from the introduction note in the book Jubilee:
"The Emergence of African-American Culture" by Howard Dodson,
Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
(adapted with permission for the UNESCO Website) 

UN Resolution on the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Abolition of the Slave Trade

At the initiative of the Government Jamaica, the UN General Assembly at its 61st session adopted the resolution to Commemorate the Bicentenary Abolition of the Slave Trade. 

2007 will mark 200 years since the UK Parliament passed the 1807 Bill to abolish the slave trade in the former British Empire. 

Throughout 2007 a number of initiatives and activities will be organized in various Commonwealth States whose history is related to this event in order to raise awareness on the history of the slave trade, its effects, and the existence of contemporary forms of slavery.