The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by Ghana recognizing transatlantic slavery as the "most serious crime against humanity" and calling for reparations.
The text was approved by 123 countries, while three states, including the United States and Israel, voted against it. Fifty-two countries abstained, including members of the European Union and the United Kingdom.
This resolution, while not legally binding, carries significant political and symbolic weight. It marks a major step forward in the international recognition of the lasting consequences of slavery.
Ghana defended this text by stressing that the effects of the transatlantic slave trade, which deported millions of Africans between the 15th and 19th centuries, continue to be felt today, particularly through racial inequalities.
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa stressed the need for accountability and recognition of historical injustices.
Experts hailed it as a "major" step within the United Nations, considering it the most advanced recognition to date of slavery as a crime against humanity at the international level.
Western countries' reservations focus particularly on the potential implications for reparations, a particularly sensitive diplomatic issue.
This adoption highlights the persistent differences between countries on how to address historical legacies and their current consequences.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.