Prioritise Slavery In The Sustainable Development Goals

  • by: Walk Free
  • recipient: UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon
With 29.8 million people enslaved today[1], the curse of modern slavery is a significant barrier to the wellbeing and economic prosperity of the world at large. Victims of modern slavery are often prevented from receiving an education, receive little or no pay, and cannot speak or move freely. This is not only a grave injustice for those experiencing these conditions but the knock on effects are unfathomable — the world is missing out on the potential of millions of people.

Unbelievably, ending modern slavery is not yet a clear priority in the proposed Sustainable Development Goals — a transformative action plan which will help shape governments’ policies for years to come.[2]

Countries who agreed to the last set of goals — the Millennium Development Goals — achieved some remarkable things. Together, they halved global poverty, and halved the proportion of people who lack an adequate water supply.[3] Imagine what could be achieved if they committed to ending modern slavery.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, “I want this to be the most inclusive global development process the world has ever known”.[4] Call on him to ensure ending modern slavery is prioritised in the Sustainable Development Goals.

With 29.8 million people enslaved today[1], the curse of modern slavery is a significant barrier to the wellbeing and economic prosperity of the world at large. Victims of modern slavery are often prevented from receiving an education, receive little or no pay, and cannot speak or move freely. This is not only a grave injustice for those experiencing these conditions but the knock on effects are unfathomable — the world is missing out on the potential of millions of people.

REFERENCES

[1] http://www.globalslaveryindex.org
[2] http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/focussdgs.html
[3] http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Resources/Static/Products/Progress2014/English2014.pdf [4] http://vote.myworld2015.org
Dear Mr Ban Ki-moon,

With 29.8 million people enslaved today, the curse of modern slavery is a significant barrier to the wellbeing and economic prosperity of the world at large.

This is not only a grave injustice for those experiencing these conditions but the knock on effects are unfathomable -- the world is missing out on the potential of millions of people.

I urge you to ensure that ending modern slavery is comprehensively addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals by including the following:

1. As a Sustainable Development Goal: End modern slavery.
2. As specific targets:
i) End trafficking and forced labour of men, women and children;
ii) Prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labour and by 2025 end
child labour in all its forms including recruitment and use of child soldiers; and,
iii) Eliminate child, early and forced marriage.

[Your comments here]

Sincerely,

[Your name here]
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