Anti Slavery

Slavery in Sudan

Fight for Freedom 1807-2007 campaign continues to gather momentum as we highlight contemporary forms of slavery that affect millions of people worldwide. This month we focus on slavery in Sudan, following our presentation of the 2006 Anti-Slavery Award to James Aguer for his efforts to combat such abuses in this country. Please click here to write to the Sudanese Government and the Speaker of the House in the USA to raise your concerns. Do send us copies of any replies you receive.

You can read background information on slavery in Sudan here.

UK announcement on Council of Europe Trafficking Convention:

After sustained campaigning by Anti-Slavery International and other human rights groups, the UK Government has finally announced that it will sign this crucial Convention. It is the only international law that provides guaranteed minimum standards of protection for trafficked people. Many thanks to campaigners who have written to the Home Office and to the Prime Minister about this since the Convention opened for signature in 2005. It is now crucial that the Government takes all necessary steps to ratify and implement the Convention. You can contact Tony Blair about this here.

Bicentenary events in February and March

Tuesday 27 February

Slavery in the 21st century

7pm

The event will start with a screening of Anti-Slavery International's 15-minute film, Living Hell: slavery today, which highlights contemporary slavery in Niger and the Philippines. Presentations and discussion on the variety and scale of contemporary forms of slavery and what needs to be done to effectively eradicate slavery today.

Speakers:

Dr Bridget Anderson, senior researcher and programme head, Centre on Migration Policy and Society (COMPAS)

Mike Kaye, communications manager, Anti-Slavery International

Government minister (tbc)

Chaired by Kate Allen, director, Amnesty International UK

March of the Abolitionists: 1-25 March 2007

The first of two walks will begin in Hull and reach Westminster on 24 March, joining with the Walk of Witness (see below). The walk will be 200 miles long -- a mile for each year since the act was passed -- and provides opportunities to learn about and reflect upon the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its abolition, as well as the continuing impact of the Trade on society today, and the realities of modern day slavery. For more information and to take part in the walk visit www.lifelineexpedition.co.uk or contact David Pott on +44 (0)20 8694 2220.

Walk of Witness

The Church of England is inviting thousands of people from across the country to join the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for an historic event in London to mark the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The Archbishops will lead the Walk of Witness on Saturday 24 March from Whitehall and Clapham, through parts of the capital to culminate in a large-scale act of worship in Kennington Park, South London. Walkers will be invited to sign Anti-Slavery International's Declaration as they reach the park. For more information and to register for the walk visit www.makingourmark.org.uk or call +44 (0)870 321 2005.

Bicentenary commemorative concert

After the Walk of Witness has finished, an evening concert will be held at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square. The concert is at 7:30pm on Saturday 24 March. Justin Pearson will conduct the Locrian Ensemble with the Tallis Chamber Choir, in aid of and supported by Anti-Slavery International. To book tickets click here or call the box office on +44 (0)20 7839 8362.

Details of all these and many more events can be found on our campaign website, www.antislavery.org/2007 under 'events'.