The opening of the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool has marked the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade designated by UNESCO. It is the first museum of its type in the whole of UK.

The newly opened museum features lively, powerful and exciting shows related to the story of the transatlantic slave trade, uncovering the generally buried account of the injustice to the Africa as well as Africans.

The displays are addressing the tradition of transatlantic slavery-contemporary and historic. These displays reflect the issues which find relevance with Britain today, as well as Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and Western Europe.

Margaret Hodge, the Culture Minister, was present at the function organised for the opening of the museum, underlining the support of the government for the museum,

Hodge said, "In March the Government signed the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings which has strengthened our efforts to prosecute traffickers and give victims greater support".

The minister also said, "A debate we will be launched in the next few weeks about how we take forward the commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade in future years".

To underline the achievements of the abolition movement, galleries, faith groups, libraries, museums and schools have organised commemorative and dedicated events and exhibitions throughout this year,

The new museum is the replica of Amistad, the ship seized by its African captives in 1839 and a major representation in the slavery abolition movement.