Slavery

Slavery, along with "indentured servitude", are terms for various similar illegal practices which includes the imprisonment and trafficking of sentient species. Slaves are often forced to work in mines, fight in in gladiatorial rings or used for scientific experimentation. They are sometimes marked by their 'owners' and are generally treated as objects/items instead of being treated as living, willfull creatuers.

Legal status
Trafficking, smuggling or enslaving of sentient beings is forbidden in the UEE. Child and forced labour existed in the Messer Era. Slavery and slave trafficking is now outlawed in the United Empire of Earth, the Xi'an Empire and de jure in the Banu Protectorate. However, some planet-states within the Protectorate still allow the ownership of slaves.

Role of Souli
Slavery in the Banu Protectorate seems to be regulated by a set of rules and is called 'Indenture'. Most 'Indentured Banu' are sold as a child to an Evaluation Souli, a common practice within Banu Society. Evaluation Souli check the skills of the child and sell them to other Soulis. They are then called 'Apprentices' and receive 'room and board' in exchange. Upon adulthood, they reach full membership in their Souli.

Banu view on Indenture
Dave Haddock writes that 'Banu don't view their slaves as property or things. (...) just ones who have (...) been entered into this arrangement (...).' A slave can eventually buy their freedom.

Other forms
Other forms of 'Indenture' include the 'Indenture to pay off debt' or 'learn a new skill' as well as the selling of prisoners.

Slave markets

 * Spider, criminal haven in the Cathcart System
 * Nyx System - a 'traveling' slave market
 * Olympus, Nul - home to another 'traveling' slave market.
 * Kins II has a 'servant market'.

Reports of forced labour
Slavelike labour was reported on QuarterDeck and Stanton I.

Reputation of Slavers
Slavers are seen as 'scum' even among other criminals. They seem to have a very bad reputation within the human society.