Permanent memorial 'Ark of Return' revealed in New York

ASTANA. KAZINFORM - To honour the victims of slavery, one of the most horrific tragedies of modern history, a permanent memorial "Ark of Return" has been revealed today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, when the world marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Kazinform refers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan, as a sign of solidarity with the countries of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, has contributed to financing the construction of a permanent memorial.

Work on the memorial began several years ago. An international committee was established in 2009 to oversee the project of placing the memorial on the UN's grounds. In 2013, the committee chose design of Rodney Leon, an American architect of Haitian descent, following an international competition featuring 310 entries from 83 countries.

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade has been marked on 25 March in each of the last seven years to honour the memories of the estimated 15 million men, women and children who were victims of the largest forced migration in history.

This year's theme, 'Women and Slavery,' pays tribute to the women victims and to those who fought for freedom from slavery and for its abolition. It also celebrates the strength of enslaved women, who succeeded in transmitting their African culture to their descendants. "Women slaves played a key role in maintaining the dignity of their families and communities, "highlighted in his statement the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

In his work "Ark of Return" Rodney Leon glorifies the courage of slaves and fighters for the abolition of slavery. Memorial reminds viewers of the 400-year history of the transatlantic slave trade, and that the descendants of the victims of the slave trade are still feeling the effects of this phenomenon.

On the International Day, a special Commemorative meeting of the General Assembly has been held at the United Nations Headquarters, where the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov has reiterated Kazakhstan's commitment to the principles of non-discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality or any other ground in all its forms and manifestations.