The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly recognized the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity,” in a resolution led by Ghana and backed by the African Union. The vote saw 123 countries in favor, three against Argentina, Israel, and the United States, and 52 abstentions. The resolution emphasizes not only acknowledgment of historical injustices but also the pursuit of reparatory justice, aiming for recognition, reconciliation, and systemic reforms to address slavery’s enduring legacy.
President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, speaking at a high-level event on reparatory justice, said: “This resolution is a pathway to healing and reparative justice. This resolution is a safeguard against forgetting.” Ghana’s leadership in rallying support highlights its growing role in shaping global discussions on reparations and human rights, bringing renewed focus to measures that go beyond compensation to address historical and structural inequities.
