Memorial to the Victims of the Slave Trade in Tanzania. International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: History as a Source of Strength UN
Although the slave trade has been officially abolished, its pernicious legacy continues today, contributing to the persistence of racism, discrimination, social exclusion and inequality. This is what UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay recalled in her message for the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
This day is celebrated in honor of the enslaved people of Santo Domingo (now Haiti) who rose up in 1791 to fight for their freedom. The outbreak of this rebellion on the night of August 22-23 became a turning point in human history. Thanks to the determined struggle of enslaved men and women, the first independent republic of black people was created in 1804.
“Between the 16th and 19th centuries, nearly 27 million Africans were captured from their homes, forced onto ships and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean, but only 7.4 million ever reached their destination. “They were treated like objects, exploited and abused, and the fruits of their labor were more valuable to the slave traders than their lives,” the UNESCO chief said.
“Remembering and understanding these traumatic events is the first step to healing the deep wounds they inflicted, the scars of which are still visible in our societies,” she added.
In an effort to change mentalities and ideologies, UNESCO uses the history of slavery to eradicate its echoes, leading a structural fight against racism and discrimination, Azoulay said in her message.
According to her, the International Day is an opportunity to draw attention to the contribution of enslaved peoples and their descendants to the development of modern societies in different countries of the world. For example, through its Slave Route project, UNESCO uses the memory of tragic events as a source of strength and inspiration for creating a better world, clearly demonstrating the historical and moral values that unite humanity.
“On this International Day, I invite you to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the slave trade and the freedom fighters by reaffirming our common commitment to preserving the memory of these events with the aim of eradicating all forms of racism and discrimination,” said Audrey Azoulay.
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