In the early 20th century, there was a heightened awareness of human rights issues, including the abhorrent practices of slavery and the slave trade that persisted in various parts of the world. As a result, an international coalition formed to address these injustices through formal agreements. The International Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery was the outcome of comprehensively deliberated proposals by governments and non-governmental organizations who recognized the need for strong legal measures to eradicate these practices. The signing took place in Geneva, Switzerland, where representatives from many nations gathered to show their commitment to abolishing slavery globally.

This landmark convention delineated the responsibilities of signatory countries to prevent and suppress slavery, including measures to enforce anti-slavery laws and to cooperate in the prosecution of offenders involved in the slave trade. Notably, it marked a critical step toward recognizing slavery as an international crime rather than a domestic issue. The convention also defined various forms of slavery, encompassing not only traditional slavery but also practices akin to slavery, such as forced labor and human trafficking that emerged in ensuing decades.

Through this convention, nations openly condemned slavery and took a stand that would inform future treaties. The groundwork was laid for continued discussions on human rights, which would evolve into more comprehensive frameworks for protecting individual freedoms. The event signified an important collective international effort to end slavery and illustrated the shifting attitudes towards human rights and moral responsibility among nations.