Article 4: Freedom from slavery and forced labour

Articles of Human Rights
Article 4 protects your right not to be held in slavery or servitude, or made to do forced labour
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  • Slavery is when someone actually owns you like a piece of property.
  • Servitude is similar to slavery - you might live on the person’s premises, work for them and be unable to leave, but they don’t own you.
  • Forced labour means you are forced to do work that you have not agreed to, under the threat of punishment.

Are there any restrictions to this right?Your right to be protected against slavery and servitude is absolute, which means it can never be restricted.
The right relating to forced labour is also absolute. However, it does not apply to work that:
  • you have to do as part of a prison or community sentence
  • the government requires you to do in a state of emergency, such as after a natural or man-made disaster, and
  • is part of normal civic obligations, like jury service.

What the law says
Article 4: Prohibition of slavery and forced labour1. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.
2. No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
3. For the purpose of this Article the term ‘forced or compulsory labour’ shall not include:
  • any work required to be done in the ordinary course of detention imposed according to the provisions of Article 5 of this Convention or during conditional release from such detention
  • any service of a military character or, in case of conscientious
    objectors in countries where they are recognised, service exacted instead of compulsory military service
  • any service exacted in case of an emergency or calamity threatening the life or well-being of the community, or
  • any work or service which forms part of normal civic obligations. 

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