Support is flooding in from across the community for our Break The Chains campaign. We kick-started it yesterday — and are now urging our readers to sign an on-line petition demanding action from world leaders to help free at least 12 million modern day slaves.

Launched in the run-up to the official bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in Britain and its territories in 1807, the petition by human rights charity Anti-Slavery International is calling for Governments to end to all forms of human captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

Charities, community groups, religious leaders and one of the Island's top sporting stars have all backed Break The Chains.

Former football ace Clyde Best welcomed The Royal Gazette's stance. "Nobody wants slavery this day and age," said the ex-West Ham United star, who said the campaign was "definitely a good cause". Asked if he was surprised that millions were today living as slaves around the world, Mr. Best said: "It's a shame that sort of stuff still happens and the sooner we can get rid of it the better for everyone. "I think that politicians need to do more and richer countries need to do more to help get rid of this once and for all."

He said it was tragic that slavery was still an issue heading into 2007 — and added that it was high time exploitation was kicked into touch.

"It's about time someone took a stand and said: 'Let's do what's right for a change and give everyone equal opportunities'."

The local branch of Amnesty International also backed our move. Bermuda executive director Lucy Attride-Stirling said: "This is a terrific idea."

She said the human rights charity had been campaigning for many years on many of the issues touched on in Break The Chains.

One campaign has just been launched highlighting the plight of child soldiers.

"It was very, very interesting to see how these things are happening in some of the countries where you would not even think they would happen," Mrs. Attride-Stirling added.

She continued: "Slavery was, and continues to be one of the worst types of human rights violations. Amnesty International is committed to stand up and fight for the rights of those whose rights are being violated.

"In many countries, slavery is still a common way to get free labour. Children are being used, as cheap labour, forced as soldiers, forced into prostitution.

"Young women and girls, are methodically lured and trafficked in countries in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some of those girls end up in Western Europe, USA, Canada, etc. Young boys, in Africa are being turned into child-soldiers."

Sheelagh Cooper, chairwoman of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, said she was delighted to see The Royal Gazette taking a leadership role and raising awareness of the plight of millions.

She added: "Few people realise that child exploitation in its various forms, whether it be in the form of forced labour or forced participation as soldiers, is alive and well in many parts of the world today.

"Indeed children are still viewed as possessions in much of the developing world and it is within that context that they are particularly vulnerable to exploitation."

She said it was important that Bermuda threw its weight behind the campaign, and warned against apathy.

She continued: "Clearly we are very fortunate here and we have come a long way. We still have a long way to go, but it's also important that we look out from ourselves and recognise the need that people have internationally.

"We need to be aware of what's going on elsewhere, to the extent that we can make a difference as individuals."

Penny Dill, of the Women's Resource Centre, said: "We support this campaign because the situation of slavery in the world largely affects women and girls, particularly through global sex trafficking and forced marriage.

"However, enslavement is not just a woman's issue, but a human rights issue. Therefore, we should support this campaign because all systems of oppression are inextricably linked."

Lynne Winfield, president of Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB), said its members were "delighted" to be associated with the Gazette's campaign.

She said: "As a grass roots organisation focused on racism in Bermuda, we appreciate all efforts to educate people as to the evils of racism and the various forms of slavery that continue in all parts of the world.

"The passion that was incited by the great abolitionist spirit begun 200 years ago is needed again today, and CURB applauds the efforts of Anti-Slavery International in seeking to revitalise that spirit of commitment and dedication."

She said that CURB's mission in Bermuda is to inspire people to recognise and confront the racism that continues to cast a shadow over the Island. But people power was vital in solving the problem.

The president added: "CURB believes that unity and community in the fight against racism cannot be mandated from the top down, and must come from the bottom up.

"It is people power that has always achieved great changes, and this has always been evident. "One only has to look at how Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa and Martin Luther King Jr. who inspired their people to actively participate in the change needed to free a society.

"Martin Luther King Jr said: 'The time is always right to do what is right,' — and CURB urges people to get involved and stand up for their beliefs."

Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray, said the number of modern day slaves in the world was a "mindboggling figure".

He added: "As we reflect upon the past, we look to our present and we discover that slavery still exists in diverse forms in our world.

"So 2007 is an opportune time to bring to the attention of all people this terrible fact.

"It has been said that as many as 12 million people are enslaved. That is a mindboggling figure.

"It is the teaching of the Church that all men are created in the image and likeness of God. That image and likeness is diminished and marred when anyone is bound in slavery."

Bishop Ratteray said the church was immensely thankful for the tireless efforts of many people — several who were members of the Church of England — responsible for ending the evil trade in humanity nearly 200 years ago. He added: "We think of and give thanks for such men as William Wilberforce and Granville Sharp, whose courage and tenacity made this possible in the face of tremendous opposition particularly from business interests."

*To sign the Anti-Slavery International petition go to www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details.To comment on The Royal Gazette Break The Chains Campaign call 278-0160, or email djones[AT]royalgazette.bm

Backing for anti-slavery campaign