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Friday 21 August
🌎 Americas · English
Current: 🌎 Americas · English
Global
Focused
Language

UN Votes to Recognize Slave Trade as 'Gravest Crime Against Humanity'

United States
The brief

The United Nations has adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade as the 'gravest crime against humanity' and has called for reparations.

Context

This resolution aims to address historical injustices and has garnered significant support from various nations and organizations.S1S2

Key points

  • The resolution was proposed by Ghana's president.S1S2
  • It received backing from the African Union and the Caribbean Community.S1
  • A total of 123 countries voted in favor of the resolution.S2
  • Three countries opposed the resolution, including the US and Israel.S2
  • The resolution is not legally binding but holds political significance.S2
  • It calls for reparatory justice as a step towards remedying historical wrongs.S1
  • The vote reflects a growing recognition of the impacts of slavery.S1
  • Supporters view the resolution as a means to achieve political recognition at high levels.S1

Why it matters

  • The resolution highlights the ongoing discourse around reparations for historical injustices.S1
  • It may influence future discussions on racial justice and equity globally.S2

What to watch

  • Monitor responses from countries that opposed the resolution.S2
  • Watch for potential actions or statements from the African Union and Caribbean Community regarding reparations.S1
Timeline · newest first
4mos AllAfrica

Africa: UN to Vote On Resolution Calling Slave Trade 'Gravest Crime Against Humanity'

[RFI] The United Nations General Assembly is due to vote on Wednesday on a resolution that would designate the transatlantic African slave trade as "the gravest crime against human…

4mos Deutsche Welle · 5 reports

UN recognizes slave trade as gravest crime against humanity

PoliticsGlobal issuesUN classes slave trade as 'gravest crime against humanity'Kate Hairsine with AFP, Reuters, AP03/26/2026March 26, 2026The UN General Assembly has passed the res…

4mos France 24

UN names African slave trade 'gravest crime against humanity'

In tonight's edition, the UN General Assembly designated the transatlantic African slave trade as "the gravest crime against humanity," in a move advocates hailed as a step towards…

4mos The Guardian

UN votes to describe slave trade as ‘gravest crime against humanity’

Members call for reparatory justice as landmark resolution aims for ‘political recognition at the highest level’The United Nations has voted to describe the transatlantic chattel s…

4mos Al Jazeera

UN passes resolution naming slave trade ‘gravest crime against humanity’

Resolution on transatlantic slavery supported by 123 countries, while three opposed it – including the US and Israel. A ⁠United Nations resolution, proposed by Ghana, to recognise…

4mos France 24

UN designates African slave trade as "gravest crime against humanity" amid European, US opposition

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday designated the transatlantic African slave trade as "the gravest crime against humanity" in a move advocates hailed as a step towards healing a…

UN Votes to Recognize Slave Trade as 'Gravest Crime Against Humanity'

5 outlets 10 reports
The brief

The United Nations has adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade as the 'gravest crime against humanity' and has called for reparations.

Context

This resolution aims to address historical injustices and has garnered significant support from various nations and organizations.S1S2

Key points

  • The resolution was proposed by Ghana's president.S1S2
  • It received backing from the African Union and the Caribbean Community.S1
  • A total of 123 countries voted in favor of the resolution.S2
  • Three countries opposed the resolution, including the US and Israel.S2
  • The resolution is not legally binding but holds political significance.S2
  • It calls for reparatory justice as a step towards remedying historical wrongs.S1
  • The vote reflects a growing recognition of the impacts of slavery.S1
  • Supporters view the resolution as a means to achieve political recognition at high levels.S1

Why it matters

  • The resolution highlights the ongoing discourse around reparations for historical injustices.S1
  • It may influence future discussions on racial justice and equity globally.S2

What to watch

  • Monitor responses from countries that opposed the resolution.S2
  • Watch for potential actions or statements from the African Union and Caribbean Community regarding reparations.S1
Timeline · newest first

Sources · 2 citations

S1 The Guardian 1 report · EN
S2 Al Jazeera 1 report · EN
Deutsche WelleLead 5 reports · EN
France 24 2 reports · EN
AllAfrica 1 report · EN