Abolition of the Slave Trade - 27th Jan, 2007

Sian James MP has welcomed a range of Events to mark the Bicentenary of the Abolition Slave Trade Act
Sian James MP said:"I welcome the initiatives to commemorate the important Act which abolished the appalling slave trade, which was immoral and inhuman. A number of events have been announced and here is some more information."
• The Prime Minister announced that a commemorative £2 coin and a series of Royal Mail stamps have been produced and that a national service will be held at Westminster Abbey in March 2007.
• The Prime Minister has signalled the government’s intention to sign European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
• The Government has been working with key stakeholders and local authorities to develop nationwide plans to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
• This Act outlawed the slave trade throughout the former British Empire and made it illegal for British ships to be involved in the trade.
• The Government is also looking to the future and stepping up efforts on three pressing issues: the challenges facing the African continent, inequality for people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK, and the cruelty of modern forms of slavery such as people trafficking and child labour.




