The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has urged governments, businesses and the legal community to strengthen efforts to eradicate modern slavery and uphold human rights in global and domestic supply chains.
The call was made on Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October 2025, an occasion observed across Europe and increasingly recognised worldwide as a call to action against all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.
Despite the existence of international and national laws prohibiting slavery in all its forms, an estimated 50 million people remain trapped in conditions of modern slavery, including forced labour, debt bondage and human trafficking. These abuses persist across sectors and industries, often concealed within complex networks of global trade.
IBAHRI Co-Chair Mark Stephens CBE said the issue demands tangible action from all sectors of society:
“Ending modern slavery requires more than words. It demands political courage, corporate accountability and the unwavering enforcement of human rights standards. Lawyers have a unique responsibility to expose abuses, defend the vulnerable and uphold the rule of law wherever it is under threat. Every act of advocacy brings us closer to ending this profound injustice.”
Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC, IBAHRI Director, said the legal profession must be at the forefront of the response:
“Modern slavery is not a relic of the past. It is a global human rights crisis that continues to destroy lives and erode human dignity. Lawyers, judges and legal institutions have a vital role to play in upholding accountability, promoting access to justice for victims, and ensuring that states and corporations meet their obligations under international law.”
The IBAHRI has called for stronger enforcement of labour and human rights laws, greater access to justice for victims, corporate due diligence to prevent exploitation in supply chains, and deeper international cooperation to prosecute traffickers and dismantle criminal networks.
In Australia, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) requires large organisations to report on the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. Legal practitioners play a key role in advising clients on compliance, promoting ethical business practices, and identifying potential risks within professional and commercial relationships.
