BBC News Website readers put their questions on slavery to a panel of experts.
Why should we apologise for the slave trade? What about non-European involvement? Should we be commemorating the bicentenary of British abolition of the trade? What is being done to eradicate slavery today?
PATRICK VERNON, BLACK HISTORY EXPERT
Patrick Vernon is a Labour councillor in Hackney and former independent Chair of Westminster Partnership for Race Equality.
His black history website, Every Generation, won the 2003 CRE Race in the Media Award for best website.
"We should formally apologise if we are to call ourselves civilised"
Click here to read Patrick's answers to your questions
DAVID LASCELLES, DESCENDANT OF SLAVE OWNER
David Lascelles is the eldest son of the 7th Earl of Harewood and his ancestor was 18th Century slave owner Henry Lascelles (1690-1753), who owned plantations in Barbados.
Alongside his professional career as a film producer, David is the owner and director of the Harewood Estate in Yorkshire which was built in the mid-18th Century with money made from the sugar and slave trade.
"We are all implicated in the legacy of the slave trade"
Click here to read David's answers to your questions
ROGER PLANT, INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
Roger Plant is the head of the ILO's Special Action Program for the Elimination of Forced Labour.
He is currently leading efforts to consolidate a global alliance against the practice.
He has written several books including Sugar and Modern Slavery, and Labour Standards and Structural Adjustment.
"Modern slavery is a global problem, from which almost no country is immune"
Click here to read Roger's answers to your questions
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