This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information ahead of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
Britain and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (259 KB , PDF)
The UNESCO International Day is held on 23 August to mark the beginning of the uprising of slaves in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) on the night of 22-23 August 1791. This briefing focuses on the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition in Britain and its colonies.
Britain and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (259 KB , PDF)
The US government has recently shifted its approach to Ukraine, engaging in direct negotiations with Russia regarding the conflict’s resolution, pursuing a minerals agreement with Ukraine, and temporarily halting military aid and intelligence sharing. During these developments, the UK government has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine through financial and military assistance, in addition to hosting a peace summit and committing further military aid.
The Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat). The bill would require the UK government to formally recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.
![Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 37 of 2024-25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/Foreign-Policy-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
The global landscape has changed significantly over the last couple of decades. This has led to questions about the UK’s current global standing and its ambitions. This briefing considers these issues in the context of the UK’s membership of international organisations, and its defence policy, foreign policy, and influence through soft power, the economy and aid spending.
