South & Southeast Asia

Slavery has existed in south and southeast Asia for thousands of years. In some Asian countries, slavery has never been abolished. It continues even today.

Slavery existed in ancient India as early as 100 B.C. By 1841, India had about 8 million slaves. In the same period some 25% to 33% of the population of Thailand and Burma were slaves.

Freed Pakistani slaves Slavery continues in some forms today. In some Asian countries, children are sold into bondage or forced to work against their will. In some Asian nations, young men and women are forced into prostitution. They have no personal rights at all. Organizations such as Anti-Slavery International are working to end all these forms of slavery forever.

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Picture: AFP/CORBIS