No slavery is a fundamental human right protected by Article 4 of the Human Rights Act[1][2][4][5]. This right protects individuals from being held in slavery or servitude, or being forced to do work against their will[1][2]. Slavery is when someone actually owns another person like a piece of property, while servitude is similar to slavery but the person is not owned by someone else[1]. Forced labor means being forced to do work that one has not agreed to, under the threat of punishment[1]. The right to be protected against slavery and servitude is absolute and can never be restricted[1][2]. However, the right relating to forced labor does not apply to work that is part of a prison or community sentence, work required during an emergency, or work that is part of normal civic obligations like jury service[1][2].
The state must ensure that laws are in place to protect people from slavery, servitude, and forced labor[2]. Modern-day slavery still persists in many parts of the world, and people can become enslaved making clothes, serving food, picking crops, working in factories, or working in houses as cooks, cleaners, or nannies[6]. Victims of modern slavery might face violence or threats, be forced into inescapable debt, or have their passport taken away and face being threatened with deportation[6]. Crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change can make people even more vulnerable to exploitation[6].
Citations:
[1] https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/human-rights-act/article-4-freedom-slavery-and-forced-labour
[2] https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/right/no-slavery-or-forced-labour/
[3] https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/what-are-human-rights/videos/no-slavery.html
[4] https://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/slavery-and-torture.html
[5] https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-slavery
[6] https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/modern-slavery/