The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity,” following a proposal led by Ghana, despite opposition from several Western nations.
The resolution passed with 123 votes in favor during Wednesday’s UNGA session, while three countries including the United States and Israel voted against it, and 52 others, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, abstained. Although not legally binding, the measure carries significant political weight.
Ghana argued that the resolution was necessary to address the lasting consequences of slavery, which saw at least 12.5 million Africans forcibly taken and sold between the 15th and 19th centuries. The country emphasized that the legacy of the trade continues to manifest in racial inequalities today.
President John Dramani Mahama, a leading advocate of the resolution, described its adoption as a step toward “healing and reparative justice.” He said it serves as a reminder of history and honors the millions who suffered under slavery.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa added that the resolution calls for accountability and could lay the groundwork for a global reparations framework, stressing that justice remains relevant regardless of time.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged countries to take “far bolder action” in confronting historical injustices tied to slavery.
Currently, the Netherlands stands as the only European nation to have formally apologized for its role in slavery. The resolution follows efforts by the African Union to establish a unified position among its 55 member states on reparations.
The measure encourages dialogue among nations on reparative actions, including formal apologies, the return of stolen artifacts, financial compensation, and guarantees against future injustices.
However, the resolution has also sparked debate. Some Western leaders oppose discussions on reparations, arguing that present-day institutions should not be held accountable for historical actions. Both the European Union and the United States also raised concerns that the resolution could create a hierarchy among crimes against humanity by elevating one above others.
