PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly have designated 2 December as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, to mark the date of the adoption of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949). The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. Discrimination, including harmful traditional practices, plays a significant role in exacerbating the vulnerability of groups to exploitation.

FORUM: “Build a world free form the abomination of slavery.” International Day of Abolition of Slavery 2023. Globally, 50 million people are trapped today in different forms of modern slavery, such as forced labour, trafficking in persons or domestic servitude. Ending Modern Slavery requires bold action by frontline leaders, donors, governments and a movement of collaborators. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #ModernSlavery, #forcedlabour, #EndHumanTrafficking, #2December, #SlaveryAbolitionDay.

EVENTS: Celebration of the 74th anniversary of the Convention for the suppression of the Traffic in persons. The ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labour could restore hope and freedom to millions of people trapped in modern slavery. But first it must be ratified by countries around the world. We have the chance to make history. On December 2nd, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a conference to mark the 74th anniversary of the Convention for the suppression of the Traffic in persons and to observe the International Day of Abolition of Slavery 2023 at UNHQ.

From 27 – 29 November 2023 was held the 12th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights at the Palace of Nations in UN Geneva. Risks of forced labour are of grave concern and a stark reality in global and complex Supply Chains, including in public procurement. At the #UNForumBHR, we presented our efforts focused on combating Human Trafficking in our own supplychains and explained how, at the OSCE, we walk the talk. This session draws the 2023 annual Forum on Business and Human Rights to a close. The aim of the session is to reflect on the Forum’s theme ‘Towards Effective Change in Implementing Obligations, Responsibilities and Remedies‘. It will do so by considering the roles which each stakeholder plays in ensuring the effective implementation of the UNGPs and promoting respect for human rights in business activities. In particular, there will be a focus on effective remedies and what is needed to implement them. It will also be an opportunity to review what has been heard during the Forum and offer ideas for the ways forward.

Key objectives of he session:

• Reflect on the Forum’s theme of ‘Towards Effective Change in Implementing Obligations, Responsibilities and Remedies.’;

• Analyse how different stakeholders can act to ensure the effective implementation of the UNGPs and promote respect for human rights in business activities;

• Discuss how judicial and non-judicial grievance mechanisms, State-based and non-State based, can ensure access to effective remedy;

• Identify opportunities and obstacles for moving forward to make effective change; and

• Share positive practical examples of actions taken, including those that have been featured during the UN Forum.

Watch the Day 3 (Room XX) – Closing plenary – 12th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights.

EXHIBIT: The “Ark of Return” at UNHQ honours the victims of slavery and highlights the legacy of the slave trade.

STATEMENT: “Slavery is both a historic horror and a contemporary outrage, urging to fight against modern slavery in all its forms. Read the full Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 2023; December 2nd.

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