The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
The resolution, proposed by Ghana, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, secured the support of 123 countries during voting, although it faced opposition from the United States and Israel, with several others abstaining, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Union. While not legally binding, the resolution carries significant political weight.
It calls on member states to engage in discussions on reparations, including formal apologies, the return of stolen artefacts, financial compensation, and guarantees of non-repetition. The move comes amid growing global calls to address the enduring legacy of slavery and colonialism.
The adoption of the resolution coincides with global observances marking remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, with many describing it as a fitting tribute to millions who suffered under the system.
Nearly 13 million Africans are estimated to have been trafficked and enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade, in what historians regard as one of the darkest periods in human history. The UN’s declaration is expected to reinforce ongoing calls for justice, recognition, and reparative action.
