Alliance welcomes Prime Minister's statement on slavery

A wish to use this opportunity to remember the past, but also to learn lessons for the future

27 November 2006

The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the Prime Minister's statement on slavery published in 'New Nation' today.

Slavery was an odious part of British history and the Prime Minister's statement acknowledges that past and expresses deep sorrow for it.

The Evangelical Alliance wishes to commemorate those who fought against slavery and to use the opportunity presented by the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade to remember the past, but also to learn lessons for the future.

In particular, the Evangelical Alliance would like to draw attention to the evil of modern-day slavery, in the form of human trafficking and the exploitation of female and child labour.

Joel Edwards, the General Director, says: “I commend the Prime Minister for his statement and his acknowledgement of the role Britain played in this inhuman trade. Of course, Britain’s industrial supremacy was significantly fuelled by the slave trade and it was also the first country to outlaw this horror. The bi-centenary commemorations will provide all of us with an opportunity to reflect upon and remember the millions of African slaves who died, as well as to pay tribute to those courageous men and women who fought, struggled and campaigned to end the horror of the transatlantic slave trade.”

The Advent Prayer Guide, which is now available from the Evangelical Alliance, takes the theme of ‘slavery, past and present’ as the focal point of the prayers for Advent this year.