International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade aims to honor and remember those who suffered and perished in the era of slavery. This day also seeks to elevate awareness about the perils of racism and prejudice prevailing in contemporary society.

The history of this observance goes back to December 17, 2007, when the United Nations General Assembly established it in resolution 62/122. The significant relevance of this observance in India lies in its analogous struggle against colonial rule, which also resulted in forms of social and economic exploitation. Furthermore, the broader message of the observance finds resonance in India's ongoing fight against all forms of human exploitation, including modern forms of slavery like human trafficking.

In India, this day is marked with educational events and activities that emphasize the historical implications and disastrous effects of slavery, where different institutions, schools, and universities participate. Recollecting the heinous acts and atrocities of the past, this day inspires us to combat social injustices and stand firmly against any form of exploitation. Memorial tributes, informed discussions, and cultural performances form the crux of the commemoration in India. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is globally observed annually on March 25.

Facts about Victims of Slavery & the Transatlantic Slave Trade

• The theme for International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade in 2025 was Honoring Memories, Fostering Resilience, in 2024 it was Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations, and in 2023 Fighting slavery’s legacy of racism through transformative education.
• According to walkfree.org, in 2023, there are about there about 49.6 million people living in modern slavery, most of them children
• According to the Borgen Project, about 68% of enslaved people are trapped in forced labor. Industries like agriculture, textile, chocolate, and mining are most likely to have slave laborers.
• By the early 1800s, many European countries, including Britain, had passed laws to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Given India was then a British colony, these laws extended to India as well, effectively banning the practice of slavery.
• Despite the abolition of historic forms of slavery, forms of modern slavery exist in India today. This includes bonded labor, where people work to pay off debts, and child labor. According to Global Slavery Index, there were over 8 million people living in modern slavery in India in 2016.

In the News and Trending in India for International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Top things to do in India for this observance

• Watch a Film to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in India:
  Amistad - Directed by Steven Spielberg, this movie is about a 1839 mutiny onboard a slave ship traveling towards the northeast coast of America. Much of the story involves a courtroom drama about the free man who led the revolt.
  12 Years a Slave - This film is based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery.
• Read a book to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in India:
  Coolies of the Empire: Indentured Indians in the Sugar Colonies, 1830–1920 - by Ashutosh Kumar.
  Slavery and South Asian History - by Douglas Haynes and Gyan Prakash.