UN calls transatlantic slave trade crime against humanity, seeks reparations

The United Nations General Assembly has declared the transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity, a move that adds weight to growing calls for reparations and a fuller reckoning with the past.

The resolution, adopted Wednesday, reflects a broader push by member states to confront the lasting economic and social damage linked to centuries of forced labor and displacement. 

The measure, while not legally binding, signals a shift in tone at the global level.

It places reparative justice more firmly at the center of debates over inequality, racial discrimination and development, areas where many countries say the effects of slavery are still visible today. 

It also highlights a renewed focus on restoring cultural heritage.

The resolution urges the return of artifacts taken during colonial rule, including artworks, archives and historical records, arguing that restitution is part of rebuilding identity in affected nations.

A renewed call for accountability 

Backed by 123 countries, the resolution passed with opposition from the United States, Israel and Argentina, while 52 nations, including the United Kingdom and several European Union members, abstained.

Ghana led the initiative, with President John Mahama attending the session in New York. 

“Today, we affirm truth and pursue a path to healing and reparative justice,” Mahama said, describing the vote as a step toward preventing the erosion of historical memory. 

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said the transatlantic slave trade “devastated communities and reshaped societies,” adding that its legacy continues to shape inequalities seen today.

Divisions among major powers 

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the vote sends a clear message that accountability remains part of the global agenda.

He called on countries linked to the trade to issue formal apologies and engage in meaningful restitution. 

The United States pushed back, saying the resolution raises complex legal questions.

Washington argues that international law does not provide for reparations for actions that were not considered illegal at the time.

Some European countries voiced similar concerns and cautioned against drawing direct legal comparisons across historical events.

Historical toll still shapes debate 

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 million to 15 million Africans were taken across the Atlantic.

More than two million are believed to have died during the journey.

Those figures remain central to calls for justice, as countries continue to debate how best to address the long shadow of slavery.