The Syrian Future Movement commemorates the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, adopted by the United Nations on December 2nd of each year, in remembrance of the adoption of the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of Others on December 2, 1949.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this day serves as a reminder that slavery—in its traditional and modern forms—continues to threaten human dignity and fundamental rights: forced labor, human trafficking, child marriage, child exploitation, and other forms of abuse that demand constant vigilance.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that Syria, in its reconstruction and rebuilding efforts, needs to make the protection of human rights—and human dignity—a fundamental pillar for rebuilding the state and society, especially in light of the harsh experiences endured by the Syrian people.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that respect for international human rights principles, including combating modern forms of exploitation and slavery, is a necessary condition for Syria’s return to the international community as a responsible state, capable of guaranteeing the dignity of its citizens and protecting their rights, not just on paper but in practice.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery can be used as a symbolic platform to launch a comprehensive national project: a state of justice, social protection, and fundamental freedoms, where there is no place for exploitation or slavery in any form.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the reconstruction of Syria and its economic restructuring must be accompanied by social and legal policies that guarantee workers’ rights, protect vulnerable groups, and prevent the exploitation of the dire economic situation as a gateway to slavery based on poverty or need.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for the following:
- Legislative and legal reforms that criminalize all forms of modern slavery (forced labor, human trafficking, forced marriage, etc.) and guarantee the legal rights of victims.
- The establishment of social protection and labor monitoring mechanisms to ensure that reconstruction and the economy are not built on the exploitation of human beings.
- The promotion of public awareness through media and education regarding the concepts of dignity, rights, and justice, so that the International Day translates into a tangible knowledge and cultural reality within Syria.
- The participation of civil society, human rights organizations, youth groups, and academia in monitoring violations, supporting victims, and ensuring accountability, without marginalizing the issues of workers and vulnerable groups.
- Linking domestic efforts to international standards and emphasizing that the new Syria is founded on a genuine commitment to the international community and its charters, and works to restore the dignity of the Syrian people within a state of rights and pluralism.
The Syrian Future Movement considers the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the future Syria to human rights, dignity, and justice. We also believe that Syria—its people and its land—deserves to be built on the foundations of freedom, dignity, and humanity. If we are to move from a cycle of suffering to a new beginning, then a charter of dignity and justice must be its cornerstone.
