Slavery

Slavery is a system in which people are treated as property or deprived of freedom and compelled to work or perform services against their will under coercive threat or punishment. Those under slavery may be bought, sold, and controlled by others, with little or no ability to determine where they live, work, or whom they marry.

Historically, slavery has appeared in many societies. It was present in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and occurred across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The transatlantic slave trade (roughly 15th to 19th centuries) forcibly transported millions of Africans to European colonies. Abolition movements in the 18th and 19th centuries led to legal prohibitions in many countries; in the modern era, international treaties such as the Slavery Convention of 1926 and later protocols sought to eradicate the practice.

Forms of slavery include chattel slavery (people owned as property), debt bondage, servile or bonded labor, forced labor, child slavery, and human trafficking. Other exploitative practices, such as forced marriage or coerced criminal activity, may also be considered within the scope of slavery when coercion and exploitation are central.

Abolition did not immediately eliminate the practice, and slavery persists in various forms today, often hidden within economies and supply chains. The International Labour Organization and other organizations estimate tens of millions of people are subjected to forced labor or related exploitation, with higher risks where governance is weak or conflict disrupts markets.

Efforts to combat slavery combine law enforcement, victim support, and international cooperation, alongside development measures to reduce vulnerability. Many countries have enacted specific anti-slavery laws, and researchers, NGOs, and intergovernmental bodies continue to document abuses and advocate for remedies and accountability.