The Royal Gazette is continuing to call for readers to register their opposition to modern day slavery by signing up to Anti-Slavery International's Fight For Freedom declaration.

More than 35,500 people have now signed the petition urging global leaders to end all forms of human captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

About 400 people have added their names to the list since this newspaper relaunched its Break The Chains campaign last week.

At the end of this year, we will be submitting a final copy of the declaration to Government and Government House, to coincide with UK campaigners' presentation to their Parliament.

It calls for action on: increasing understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade; addressing its lasting legacies; and making the eradication of contemporary slavery in all its forms a priority.

Campaign leaders say everyone's efforts so far have already made a difference. In recent months, the British Government has published proposals to make teaching the Transatlantic Slave Trade in schools compulsory, while discussions have been ongoing regarding an annual national slavery commemorative day.

Break The Chains has highlighted how many countries across the world today are still plagued by slavery, with at least 12 million people estimated to be in captivity ¿ including forced labour in South America and Africa and child slavery in Haiti to name just a few.

We have also urged people to draw inspiration from historical figures who helped change the course of history in years gone by.

William Wilberforce was the trailblazing English politician who went against the opinion of many of his peers to tirelessly campaign for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire ¿ successfully calling for the Slave Trade Act two centuries ago.

His efforts were helped by Bermudian slave Mary Prince, whose book ¿ the first account of the life of a black woman published in England ¿ galvanised the anti-slavery movement.

To sign the petition, log on to www.antislavery.org/2007 and add your details.