Are west or east countries immune to enslavement?

 No country, whether historically considered "Western" or "Eastern," has been immune to enslavement.

The history of slavery spans every continent and culture, affecting people of all ethnicities. Both Western and Eastern countries have been involved in slavery as perpetrators, beneficiaries, and victims:

• In the West:

  • Perpetrators/Beneficiaries: European powers (Portugal, Spain, Britain, France, etc.) and their colonies in the Americas were central to the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th to 19th centuries, forcibly transporting approximately 12.5 million Africans. Slavery also existed in various forms in ancient Western societies like Greece and Rome, and medieval Europe.

  • Victims: People in various European regions (including parts of Eastern and Southern Europe) were enslaved during different historical periods, such as through the Black Sea slave trade and by Barbary pirates raiding coastal areas and transporting captives to North Africa and the Ottoman Empire.

• In the East:

  • Perpetrators/Beneficiaries: The Oriental/Eastern slave trade, which predates the Transatlantic trade, transported millions of Africans to North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia (including the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, and India) beginning in the 7th century. Slavery was also widespread in Asian societies, including China, Southeast Asia, and the Ottoman Empire, with people from various ethnic groups being enslaved.

  • Victims: People in Eastern Europe (Slavic people, for example, were a major source of slaves in the medieval era), Central Asia, and Southeast Asia were all victims of enslavement and trafficking throughout history.

Modern Enslavement

Furthermore, when considering modern slavery (an umbrella term including forced labor, human trafficking, and forced marriage), the concept of immunity remains absent.

• No country is immune to modern slavery, as it is a "hidden crime" that affects every nation in both the Global North and Global South. Even in countries as Switzerland or USA can be slavery, dictatorships or even turn to worse regimes. 

• Modern slavery is often found in global supply chains across industries like manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, impacting countries across the entire West-East spectrum.

In conclusion, a historical and contemporary look at enslavement shows that both "West" and "East" countries have been deeply involved in and impacted by the practice throughout history and up to the present day.