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Urge all 53 Commonwealth countries to commit to ending modern slavery

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We have a groundbreaking opportunity to encourage one of the largest intergovernmental associations in the world to take up the cause of modern slaveryand we need you to get involved.

The Commonwealth is a union of 53 countries around the world and is home to 2.2 billion people.1 While a third of the world’s population are Commonwealth citizens, according to the Global Slavery Index a staggering 55% of those currently enslaved reside in Commonwealth countries.2 This means that the Commonwealth is in a unique position to help significantly reduce slavery in the world.

CW Countries 3

Commonwealth countries

So far, the Commonwealth has not made a formal commitment to ending modern slavery. However, if it adopts a position, it will commit to putting time and resources towards tackling this problem. The Commonwealth Secretariat – the governing body coordinating efforts – would provide technical support and expert guidance to help member states develop effective responses and legislation. Therefore, this would be a huge step forward.

So how do we make this happen? In spring 2018, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will take place in the UK. At this conference, the Heads of each country decide on a mandate of issues to work on in union. This moment is our chance to shape the agenda and ensure modern slavery is prioritised.

Decisions on which topics are included in the next CHOGM start long before the conference itself. We’re working with our partner, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), to do this – but we need your help too. By showing the Commonwealth strong public support on ending modern slavery, we can persuade them to take up the cause.

Join our campaign and urge the Secretary-General and the 53 Heads of Government of the Commonwealth to promote the inclusion of modern slavery in CHOGM 2018.

  • 20 April 2018: Success! At the 2018 meeting in London, the Commonwealth Heads of Government announced their commitment to take effective measures to end modern slavery and human trafficking. Thanks to all Freedom United supporters, who have taken over 84,000 actions since the launch of the campaign, to show that there’s widespread global support for action. Click here to read paragraph 39 and the Commonwealth’s Communiqué in full.

  • April 2018: On a day when total actions reached over 80,000 across this campaign we handed in 64,767 petition signatures to the Assistant Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

  • October 2017: Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, is reported to support all 52 Commonwealth countries passing modern slavery legislation in order to effectively tackle modern slavery and human trafficking. Read the full story here.

  • August 2017: Over 11,000 of our supporters wrote to the Malaysian Prime Minister, as the future Chair of the Commonwealth, to support the adoption of an anti-slavery agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018.

Chip in and help end modern slavery once and for all.

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Faith Ozioma Peter Diji
Faith Ozioma Peter Diji
7 years ago

Please support us and say no to modern slavery. Its a menace secretly destroying the value of mankind. I, Faith Ozioma Peter Diji from Lagos Nigeria support the campaign and I’m trying my best to make public this secret sin. Please join the movement.

Tony Aish
Tony Aish
7 years ago

I am so fed up with this aspect of humanity that I don’t know what else to say.We seem to be going downhill globally …and this is 2017! Eventually there will be a price as ‘slaves’ get increasingly annoyed and strike back.Slavery exists in many forms and wee aren’t making much headway.Just keep plugging away ,I guess.

Sharlene
Sharlene
7 years ago

To be raped is horrible enough, but to the be forced to marry the rapist, could not believe this when reading about it, and what does that do to the female involved, screw her head up for years to come. Please change those laws.

Joe L
Joe L
7 years ago

Slavery is a crime against human intelligence by denying love and compassion for humanity.

ken
ken
7 years ago

Must end now.

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