China calls for collaborative efforts to end domestic staff slavery
Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor, Chinese Cultural Center, Abuja, has called for urgent collaborative efforts to end domestic staff slavery and every other form of modern day slavery.
Li made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the commemoration of the 2022 International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2022 commemoration by the ministry has as its theme, “Modern Day Slavery: A critical Appraisal of Domestic Staff in Nigeria”.
Li said that China remained committed to standing with Nigeria to fight the scourge and create awareness, especially on domestic help slavery and the modern-day form of slave trade.
“On this special day, I am very delighted to join you and celebrate together the International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition.
“On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I highly commend the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for its great initiative to commemorate the abolition of slavery.
“And, deeply appreciate its invaluable contribution to the promotion of fairness and justice for mankind through creating awareness among us.
“This year, we are also very happy to stand side by side with our Nigerian friends and work together to fight modern day slavery.
“Children are the flowers in the garden, youths are the beautiful future of the country.
”In order to enable those beautiful flowers to bloom one day and our young generation to embrace a better future, we should all act rightly now and declare a war against modern slavery.
”Create a peaceful and harmonious society for them to grow up safely and healthy,” he said.
Dr. Dimitri Sanga, Director, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Regional Office for West-Sahel Africa, said that the International Day was intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all people.
Sanga, who was represented by Ms. Nneka Okafor, Head of Sector, Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, said that the new dimensions to slavery required a global action.
“The International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition 2022, is yet again taking place in a challenging context due to the ongoing modern-day slavery, which is a borderless crime.
“This demands a global action, which is the theme for this very gathering.
“Even as we echo the importance of today’s theme in Nigeria, it is also pertinent to acknowledge the general theme for this year’s International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition 2022, which is Decolonisation.
“The emphasis is on how best we can decolonize our history and ensure that the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its devastating wide-ranging and ongoing impact is never forgotten.
“UNESCO actively engages in projects that have contributed to the production of innovative knowledge, the development of high-level scientific networks and the support of memory initiatives on the theme of slavery, its abolition and the resistance it generated.
“UNESCO also supports and creates safe platforms for young people and educators to have conversations through research on new forms of slavery, linked with globalization.
“And, cultivating an anti-racism partnership to enhance intercultural dialogues, inclusion diversity and promoting regional/national integration.
“Let me end this message with a call on all stakeholders to reflect on how best to contribute, in line with their programs, to the emerging discussion on fighting exploitation, which has continuously led to modern day slavery.
“Let us stand united against human exploitation and together build societies based on dignity, equality and solidarity,” Sanga said.
Some victims of domestic servitude, who shared their ordeal, said they were fortunate to have survived in the hands of their oppressors, who were supposedly their relatives and guardians. (NAN)
