Faith leaders join their efforts to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking by 2020.

For the first time in history the leaders of the Christian Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox, as well as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths, jointly commit to one common endeavour against slavery

Today, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, they are gathering in Rome to sign a common declaration

Today, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, they are gathering in Rome to sign a common declaration. Global Freedom Network (GFN) is bringing together faith leaders forming a historic initiative to eradicate modern slavery by 2020 throughout our world and for all time.

They will sign the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders against Modern Slavery to underline that modern slavery, in terms of human trafficking, forced labour and prostitution, organ trafficking, and any relationship that fails to respect the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity, is a crime against humanity, and must be recognised as such by everyone and by all nations.

They affirm their common commitment to inspiring spiritual and practical action by all faiths and people of goodwill everywhere to eradicate modern slavery. A number of leaders from international organisations civil society organisations and businesses will witness the signing of the declaration.

The signatories will be:

Catholic: Pope Francis

Hindu: Mata Amritanandamayi

Buddhist: Thich Nhat Hanh

Buddhist: Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana

Jewish: Rabbi Dr Abraham Skorka and Chief Rabbi David Rosen

Orthodox: Patriarch Bartholomew I

Muslim: Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi, Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain al Najafi, Sheikh Omar Abboud

Anglican: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby