(NATCOM) – St. Kitts, December 2, 2014: The National Commission for UNESCO has called on groups, organizations and Media Houses in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to join the celebration on December 2, 2014, in commemoration of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery in the Caribbean and around the world.
According to the Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Antonio Maynard the National Commission is committed to “the continued development of human beings in an atmosphere of peace and as such seeks to keep persons educated and alert on important steps in the process of the advancement of human dignity”.
In this regard, the National Commission has provided background information and sources of more detailed information on the Abolition of the Slave Trade and its impact on human beings as well as opportunities for participation in the continued liberation of mindsets which in many cases “have resulted from a colonial past, involving the trafficing of human beings to be sold into slavery.
On December 2, 1949 the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation and Prostitution of others (Resolution 317 (IV) was adopted by the United Nations.
However, despite the abolition of slavery centuries ago, slavery still persists globally in new forms of human mishandling and captivity.
The International Day of for the Abolition of Slavery is focused on the eradication of all forms of contemporary slavery including trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, and the worst forms of child labour as well as forced marriage and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. On December 2 the Federation registers its support for the important convention.
The purchase of Africans who were enslaved was outlawed by the British Empire through an Act of Parliament in 1807. Subsequently, in compliance with such law slavery was abolished in St. Kitts/ Nevis by an Act of Parliament which became law on 1 August 1834. August 1st is now celebrated as a public holiday in St.Kitts/Nevis and is called Emancipation Day
Commenting on UNESCO’s role in catalyzing action for raised awareness with respect to all forms of inhumane acts, Mr. Maynard said it is imperative that local organizations and other groups join in the celebration of our triumph over the struggles of the past and the attainment of the Abolition of Slavery. He said it also critical that younger generations locally get a meaningful historical lesson that highlights the positive impact of African input in the development of today’s society.