Mactaggart: Condemnation

A Home Office minister has called on the world to remember the "tragic chapter" of the global slave trade.

Kicking off a week commemorating the struggle against slavery, Fiona Mactaggart said the world must remember the inhumanity of the trade in people.

"Slavery and the slave trade represent a tragic chapter in the history of the world and one of the worst examples of man's inhumanity to man," she said on Monday.

"But it cannot simply be consigned to the past - the legacies of slavery are all around us through the profound impact it has had on shaping the world today."

The government is using the week of commemoration to remind Britons that there is no place for "racism and extremism" in the 21st century.

"The struggle against slavery is a historic example of multi-racial, cross community and global mobilisation for justice and
freedom, that still has the power to inspire today," added Mactaggart.

"Exploring this history can help us meet the challenge of building strong, active and empowered communities in Britain today.

"Our community cohesion and race equality strategy, which we will launch in late 2004, will form the basis of a renewed programme of action on this - across government and more widely."

The minister also warned that slavery and people trafficking is still an issue in modern society.

"We promote the widest possible ratification of international agreements that outlaw slavery and will continue to champion their practical implementation to achieve real change," she said.

MPs are to be given a parliamentary debate on slavery on October 14.