Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

Thirteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment, ratified in 1865, that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. "The thirteenth amendment is fairly unique in two respects. First, it contains an absolute bar to the existence of slavery or involuntary servitude; there is no requirement of 'state action.' Thus it is applicable to individuals as well as states Secondly, like the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, it contains an enforcement clause, enabling Congress to pass all necessary legislation." John E. Nowak & Ronald D. Rotunda, Constitutional Law § 15.6, at 918 (4th ed. 1991).