There are at least 12 million men, women and children around the world currently trapped in the modern slave trade ? that?s why today The Royal Gazette launches ourBreak The Chains campaign.

We are urging our readers to add their names to an on-line petition demanding action from world leaders to stamp out varying forms of captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriages.

The petition was launched in the run-up to the official bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in Britain and its territories, later followed by the abolition of slavery itself.

Promoted by British MP William Wilberforce, The Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807.

But shocking statistics show that slavery is still alive in the 21st century.

Now The Royal Gazette has joined forces with Anti-Slavery International ? the world?s oldest human rights organisation ? which is increasing pressure on Presidents and Prime Ministers across the world to end the suffering of millions kept in varying forms of captivity.

Support from Bermuda has already flooded in for our campaign from community groups, charities, religious leaders and a sporting star.

And the distant relative of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce also backed Break The Chains.

The great-great-great-great grandson of Wilberforce ? also called William ? urged our readers to add their names to the petition, already signed by thousands around the world.

He said today: ?This is something that should have been solved 200 years ago.?

Royal Gazette editor Bill Zuill said: ?No one disputes the tremendous damage, both physical and psychological that the trade and practice of slavery inflicted in Bermuda before its abolition, and it is clear that we are still dealing with the effects of slavery and segregation today.

?For that reason alone, it is an indictment that millions of people around the world are still in captivity and that?s why we are urging our readers to join the campaign to end this heinous and cruel practice once and for all.?

Two centuries ago, tens of thousands of ordinary people signed petitions as part of the campaign to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The momentum and outcry generated by that historic movement led to the Slave Trade Act, which made capturing, transporting and selling slaves illegal in Britain and its colonies.

Today campaigners are hoping to revitalise the abolitionist spirit that created this momentum.

And they say that by signing the latest anti-slavery declaration you can be part of a new mass movement for change ? and make a real difference in the battle for freedom.

The petition demands governments prioritise action to eradicate all modern forms of slavery. It also calls for a greater understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact, and action to redress its legacies from countries that profited.

The Anti-Slavery International petition states: ?I pledge to join the fight for freedom, to commemorate the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its abolition, address its legacies, and work for the eradication of all forms of slavery today, which affect at least 12 million people around the world.?

To sign it go to www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details.

Leading lights in Bermuda have also urged readers to show their support for our campaign.

Football legend Clyde Best said that it was high time exploitation was kicked into touch.

He said: ?It?s about time someone took a stand and said: ?Let?s do what?s right for a change and give everyone equal opportunities.??

Sheelagh Cooper, chairman of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, said she was delighted to see The Royal Gazette taking a leadership role and raising awareness of the plight of millions.

She added: ?Few people realise that child exploitation in its various forms, whether it be in the form of forced labour or forced participation as soldiers, is alive and well in many parts of the world today.?

Lynne Winfield, president of Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB), said its members were ?delighted? to be associated with the campaign.

She said: ?As a grassroots organisation focused on racism in Bermuda, we appreciate all efforts to educate people as to the evils of racism and the various forms of slavery that continue in all parts of the world.?

Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray, said the number of modern day slaves in the world was a ?mindboggling figure?.

He added: ?As we reflect upon the past, we look to our present and we discover that slavery still exists in diverse forms in our world.

?So 2007 is an opportune time to bring to the attention of all people this terrible fact.?

He added: ?It is the teaching of the Church that all men are created in the image and likeness of God. That image and likeness is diminished and marred when anyone is bound in slavery.?

The Anti-Slavery International website is www.antislavery.org.

To comment on The Royal Gazette Break The Chains Campaign call 278-0160 or email djones@royalgazette.bm