UN General Assembly Adopts Landmark Resolution Condemning Transatlantic Slave Trade as Ultimate Crime Against Humanity
In a momentous diplomatic triumph for the African continent, the United Nations General Assembly has passed a groundbreaking resolution that formally recognises the enslavement of Africans as the most egregious crime against humanity. The resolution, championed by the vast majority of African nations, received overwhelming support, with 123 countries voting in favour. This significant vote underscores a burgeoning global consensus on acknowledging and addressing historical injustices and their enduring repercussions.
While the resolution garnered widespread endorsement, a minority of nations, including the United States, Israel, and Argentina, voted against it. A substantial bloc of 42 countries, encompassing France, the United Kingdom, and member states of the European Union, opted to abstain from the vote.
Historically, the United Kingdom and France have consistently resisted calls for reparations, maintaining that contemporary institutions should not bear responsibility for past transgressions. Prior to the vote, the United States’ deputy ambassador, Dan Negrea, articulated the nation’s stance, stating that while the US unequivocally opposes the transatlantic slave trade and all forms of slavery, it “does not recognise a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred.” Furthermore, Negrea expressed strong objections to the resolution’s perceived attempt to “rank crimes against humanity in any type of hierarchy,” arguing that “the assertion that some crimes against humanity are less severe than others diminishes the suffering of countless victims and survivors of atrocities throughout history.”
The European Union’s representative, Gabriella Michaelidou, indicated that the bloc would have supported a resolution that illuminated the “scale of the atrocity.” However, she cited “legal and factual” concerns, notably the potential for retroactive application of international law, as reasons for abstention.
This resolution, spearheaded by Ghana, is poised to empower affected nations to pursue reparations through international legal avenues, including potentially the International Court of Justice.
Following the vote, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, shared his elation on social media, posting a photo of the results and declaring, “We did it for Africa and all people of African descent.” The resolution’s adoption is seen as a critical step in the ongoing quest for restorative justice for the descendants of those who endured the horrors of slavery.
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, a prominent advocate for slavery reparations within the African Union, was present at the UN headquarters in New York for the vote. Addressing the assembly on behalf of the AU, Mahama stated, “Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm the truth and pursue a path towards healing and reparative justice. The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting.”
The resolution formally calls for the designation of enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity. It also urges UN member states to consider issuing apologies for their involvement in the slave trade and to contribute to a reparations fund, though no specific monetary amounts are stipulated.
Restitution of Cultural Heritage
A significant component of the resolution also calls for the “prompt and unhindered restitution” of cultural artefacts. This includes artworks, monuments, museum pieces, historical documents, and national archives that were taken during the colonial era. The resolution stipulates that these items should be returned to their countries of origin free of charge, addressing a long-standing grievance regarding the appropriation of cultural heritage.
Significance of General Assembly Resolutions
While resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly do not carry the legally binding force of those from the Security Council, they are nevertheless powerful indicators of global sentiment and opinion. This resolution, therefore, carries substantial moral and political weight.
Enduring Impact of Slavery
Beyond historical acknowledgement, the resolution draws attention to the persistent, contemporary ramifications of slavery. It highlights how the legacy of this brutal institution continues to manifest through ongoing racial discrimination and neo-colonial practices in modern global society.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the profound damage caused by the transatlantic slave trade, stating, “The transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity that struck at the core of personhood, breaking up families and devastating communities.” He further elaborated on the ideological underpinnings of slavery, noting, “To justify the unjustifiable, slavery’s proponents and beneficiaries constructed a racist ideology, turning prejudice into pseudoscience.”
Momentum for Reparations
The campaign for reparations has gathered considerable momentum in recent years. Notably, “reparatory justice” was designated as the official theme of the African Union for 2025. Furthermore, leaders from Commonwealth nations have collectively called for a dedicated dialogue on the matter.
This UN resolution represents a significant advancement in Africa’s concerted efforts to hold former colonial powers accountable for historical injustices. It follows the African Union’s initiative in the previous year to forge a unified vision among its 55 member states concerning potential reparations.
European Apologies and Involvement
To date, the Netherlands stands as the sole European nation to have issued a formal apology for its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. The primary European powers that engaged in this brutal enterprise were Portugal, Spain, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.
