According to the BBC, there are over 40,000 slaves in captivity in Niger. Of course, the government denies this by using the "see no evil, hear no evil" method, and that's why this ceremony was cancelled.The government of Niger has cancelled at the last minute a special ceremony during which at least 7,000 slaves were to be granted their freedom.
A spokesman for the government's human rights commission, which had helped to organise the event, said this was because slavery did not exist.
It is not clear why the government, which was also a co-sponsor of the ceremony, changed its position.
Hell, why have a ceremony? Just let them go free and be done with it.