By Patricia Jjuuko / GICJ

On March 25th, the world commemorates the international day in remembrance of the victims of slavery and the Transatlantic slave trade. The day was set apart by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/122 on the 17th of December 2007, and seeks to honour the millions of people of African descent who were victims of mass human trafficking, degrading economic transactions and unspeakable human rights violations. The transatlantic slave trade, which span over a 400-year period, is considered as the largest forced migration in history, and is known as one of the darkest chapters in human history. 

As of today, slavery still exists, and 40 million people are estimated to be trapped in bondage globally. Moderns slavery displays in the form of human trafficking, forced labour, child bondage, debt bondage, as well as forced marriages. People find themselves trapped in slavery because they are vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation induced by poverty. In their search for better opportunities, they take risky decisions.  

The theme for 2022, “Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism”, discloses the true brutality of the transatlantic slave trade, and is a day to reflect on the millions of different human stories of those that suffered this injustice. Behind the numbers of victims of the transatlantic slave trade, including 15 million men, women and children, is a personal story. These include painful stories of people who lost homelands and families, of those who fought against oppressors and the stories of those who were able to win their freedom. The pain has not faded yet, as many of these stories continue. 

The ideas of white supremacy that cultivated the slave trade remain alive today through racism. In today's society, we see a new and different form of racism. Likened to a virus that mutates, adapting to a changing environment, racism is manifested in policies or actions of the Western world that exclude people of colour. Systemic or institutional racism creates and maintains racial inequality for people of colour. The EU and its Member States systematically erect barriers for asylum seekers, forming part of the system of containment of refugees in the Global South. In its Shadow Report on racism and discrimination against migrants, the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) highlights that African migrants in need of humanitarian protection were framed as ‘economic’ or ‘illegal’ migrants without any political assessments. These restrictive immigration policies have also been placed on refugees from places like Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

In contrast, over the last couple of weeks, we have seen how Europe welcomes white people fleeing from the current crisis in Ukraine with open arms, and how immigration policies are quickly being adjusted to accommodate them. According to reports, African and Asian people were forcibly prevented from boarding trains and buses leaving Ukrainian cities, as priority was given to white people. For those fortunate to reach the Polish border, reports show that white people were given priority to enter, while many African, Asian and Middle Eastern people had to wait two to three days, exposed to the elements with hardly any food, water or accommodation. 

Human rights should be at the centre of all border governance measures. In times of conflict, all people have the right to cross international borders, despite their racial identity, to seek refuge.  

Racism, racial discrimination and Xenophobia are all wrongdoings that are among the leading violations to human rights, denying individuals equality, opportunity and justice. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

The commemoration of the international day of remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade should help increase awareness about the lurking dangers of these prejudices and promote action against them. 

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) honours all the victims of the Transatlantic slave trade and stands to resist all forms of slavery and racial discrimination. We encourage states to recognize this day and to embark on deliberate efforts to end modern slavery, including Xenophobia, racial discrimination, and other forms of intolerance. This can only be achieved by continuously educating the masses about its history, acknowledging its impact on our world today and by implementing strategies and policies that will eradicate these vices. As expressed by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, all individuals, societies, and states must come together: 

 “On this International day, let us stand united against racism, and together build societies based on dignity, equality and solidarity.”

International Day of Remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, Stories of courage, Resistance to slavery, Unity against racism, Injustice, Stand Up for Rights, Human Rights, Equal Rights For All, Equality, Equity, Peace, World Peace, GICJ, Geneva 4 Justice, Geneva International Center For Justice 

References

1. Kandola, B  What is Modern Racism, https://pearnkandola.com/diversity-and-inclusion-hub/bias/what-is-modern-racism/

2. Racist Crime and Institutional Racism in Europe, https://www.enar-eu.org/2014-2018-enar-shadow-report-on-racist-crime-and-institutional-racism-in-europe/

3. Racism and discrimination in the context of migration in Europe, https://pearnkandola.com/diversity-and-inclusion-hub/bias/what-is-modern-racism

4. Refugees, reporting and the far right: how the Ukraine Crisis reveals brutal ‘everyday racism’ in Europe and beyond, https://theconversation.com/refugees-reporting-and-the-far-right-how-the-ukraine-crisis-reveals-brutal-everyday-racism-in-europe-and-beyond-17841

5. Race, Culture and Politics Underpin how-or if- Refugees are Welcomed in Europe, https://www.npr.org/2022/03/03/1084201542/ukraine-refugees-racism

6. Slavery at a Glance, https://www.ijm.org/slavery

7. 2022 Theme: Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism, 

https://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/2022/events.shtml