anti-slavery award

Anti-Slavery International instituted the Anti-Slavery Award in 1991 to draw attention to the continuing problem of slavery in the world today and to provide recognition for long-term, courageous campaigning by organisations or individuals in the countries most affected.

Nominations are sought annually from hundreds of organisations around the world and the winner is selected by a panel composed of invited people from a wide background, chosen for their knowledge of the various contemporary forms of slavery.

The recipient is invited to the UK and formally presented with a medal to record the Award. During the visit, Anti-Slavery International organises a full programme of visits to government officials (both British and others), meetings with non-governmental organisations and support groups, as well as arranges interviews with UK and overseas media.

There is no cash grant given with the medal, but the publicity generated by the presentation is expected to assist the recipient's work and to offer some protection in the carrying out of his or her humanitarian work. During the year of the Award, Anti-Slavery International also ensures that some of its campaigning is devoted to supporting the work of the Award winner.

2009 Anti-Slavery Award winner

The winner of the 2009 Anti-Slavery Award is SOS Esclaves , for its outstanding dedication and groundbreaking work towards ending slavery in Mauritania .

Slavery has existed in Mauritania for hundreds of years and is deeply rooted within society across the country. Over the past 14 years SOS Esclaves has been leading the fight for it to be acknowledged and addressed. For many years, due to the widespread acceptance of slavery and sensitivity of the issue they challenged, members of SOS Esclaves were continually harassed, threatened and intimidated.

However in 2007, after years of tireless work to expose the realities of slavery and defend the rights of those enslaved , new legislation was introduced to criminalise slavery - a true testament to the efforts of SOS Esclaves and a historic step forward for Mauritania in tackling slavery.

It is hoped that by presenting the Award to SOS Esclaves it will increase visibility of the issue internationally, to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of people still living in slavery can seek freedom from this abuse.

Previous Anti-Slavery Award Winners

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