UN Declares Transatlantic Slave Trade the 'Gravest Crime Against Humanity'

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the "gravest crime against humanity." The resolution, introduced by Ghana, also calls for reparatory justice, including the return of cultural artifacts and concrete reparations.

Key points

• 123 states voted in favor of the resolution, which was adopted on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
• Reparatory measures sought include financial compensation, debt relief, and development aid.
• President John Dramani Mahama hailed the decision as historic but cautioned it is the beginning of the struggle for justice.
• Israel, the USA, and Argentina voted against the resolution; Germany abstained.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated the trade created a racist ideology to justify the unforgivable.

Why it matters

This non-binding resolution is considered a landmark diplomatic step in addressing the enduring legacy of slavery and advancing calls for accountability and restitution for people of African descent worldwide.