Anti-Slavery International
Website: http://www.antislavery.org
Category: Human Rights
Year of Foundation: 1839 (British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society)
Location of Foundation: London, UK
Location of Headquarters: London, UK
Brief Description: Anti-Slavery International describes itself as 'the world's oldest international human rights organisation and works to eliminate all forms of slavery around the world' (source: www.antislavery.org; accessed 2 June 2010)
Founding Rationales (for British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society):
'The objects of this Society be, the universal extinction of slavery and the slave-trade, and the protection of the rights and interests of the enfranchised population in the British possessions, and of all persons captured as slaves.'
Initial methods included: circulation in Britain and abroad of information on slavery; facilitating communication between abolitionists in the USA, France, Great Britain and elsewhere; to promote purchase of products not produced with slave labour; and campaigning for international recognition and implementation of the right of slaves to be free.
Source: 'Constitution (agreed upon after various sittings of the Provisional Committee) of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, held at the Guildhall Coffee House early in 1839, and finally confirmed by a Public Meeting at Exeter Hall, 17th April 1839'
Evolution of Membership:
Sources: www.antislavery.org; EAIO; YIO