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https://theconversation.com/the-transatlantic-slave-trade-is-the-gravest-crime-against-humanity-why-the-un-declaration-matters-279218>
"The resolution passed by United Nations General Assembly on 25 March 2026
seeking recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime
against humanity” potentially creates a broader definition of crimes against
humanity in international law and allows for restitution claims against
perpetrators. The resolution could elevate the legal and moral standard for
what counts as the worst crimes against humanity, and compel more people to
legally pursue reparations or compensation cases and thus deter such crimes.
Proposed by Ghana, it was adopted with 123 votes. The United States, Israel and
Argentina voted against it. Fifty-two countries abstained, among them the UK
and European states.
There has never been a single “gravest crime” designation applied to one human
event or condition. Instead, international law defines categories of crimes
considered the most serious. Examples are genocide, war crimes, crimes of
aggression, and crimes against humanity. Being classified under these
categories triggers severe legal consequences. These include global
prosecution, lifelong accountability, international sanctions, and reparation
claims.
Ghana’s declaration views transatlantic slavery and its system of forced
African labour as the worst crime ever committed. It explains how millions of
Africans were abducted, treated like property, and abused because of their
race.
The declaration points out that the effects of slavery still influence
inequality and racism today. It calls on all nations to recognise what
happened, teach its history honestly, and remember the victims. It also works
towards fixing the lasting damage, including institutional and monetary
reparations.
I am a professor of history who has researched and written extensively on the
slave trade and its impact. I argue that Ghana’s resolution represents more
than a moral or diplomatic statement. It marks a decisive step in an ongoing
effort of historical reclamation and political transformation. It asserts that
the histories of enslavement, displacement and organised theft are foundational
to the modern world.
More importantly, it insists that recognition must lead to action. For
contemporary Africa, this moment is about leveraging historical truth to
reshape present conditions and future possibilities within a global system
still marked by the legacies of transatlantic slaving."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
