The United Nations General Assembly has declared the transatlantic slave trade the “gravest crime against humanity,” urging reparations
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity” and calling for reparations as a step toward addressing centuries of injustice.
The resolution, passed on Wednesday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, received overwhelming support with 123 countries voting in favour. However, the United States, Israel, and Argentina opposed the measure, while 52 nations—including United Kingdom and several European Union member states—abstained.
Introduced by Ghana and backed by President John Mahama, the resolution goes beyond symbolic recognition by urging countries involved in the slave trade to engage in restorative justice efforts. It also calls for the “prompt and unhindered restitution” of cultural artefacts—including artworks, historical documents, and national archives—to their countries of origin at no cost.
Speaking after the vote, Mahama described the resolution as a significant step towards healing historical wounds. “Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” he said, adding that the measure would serve as a safeguard against forgetting the atrocities of the past.
Although non-binding, the resolution highlights the enduring legacy of slavery, linking it to ongoing racial discrimination and neo-colonial structures in contemporary society. Antonio Guterres condemned the transatlantic slave trade as a crime that “struck at the core of personhood, broke up families, and devastated communities,” noting that its proponents relied on racist ideologies to justify the system.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the vote sends a strong message that the international community will no longer tolerate impunity. He insisted that countries responsible for the slave trade should formally apologise and commit to reparative measures for Africa and people of African descent.
However, the resolution has drawn criticism from several Western nations. The United States described the text as “highly problematic,” with its representative arguing that it does not recognise a legal basis for reparations for actions that were not illegal under international law at the time. Washington also objected to what it viewed as an attempt to rank crimes against humanity.
Similar concerns were raised by European countries. Sylvain Fournel of France warned that the resolution risks comparing historical tragedies in a way that could undermine the memory of victims.
Despite the opposition, proponents of the resolution argue that it marks an important step in confronting the legacy of slavery. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 to 15 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic, with more than two million dying during the brutal journey.
For many supporters, the resolution represents not only recognition of past atrocities but also a renewed push for accountability, restitution, and long-overdue justice.
