Professor Hilary Beckles, Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, has hailed the decision by the United Nations General Assembly to formally designate the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the “gravest crime against humanity.”
The resolution was adopted during the 80th session of the Assembly at a special sitting marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade on March 25 at UN Headquarters in New York City. It passed with 123 votes in favour, three against and 52 abstentions, with all Caribbean Community member states supporting the measure.
The initiative was championed by John Dramani Mahama, who leads reparatory justice efforts within the African Union. The resolution’s passage marks a significant moment in global recognition of the historical injustices of slavery and their enduring impact.
Beckles, a leading advocate for reparatory justice, described the outcome as a “historic, landmark decision” and a potential “game changer” at the United Nations. He said the vote strengthens the platform for coordinated diplomatic efforts to advance reparations for Africans and people of African descent.
“Under the leadership of the African Union and CARICOM, 123 countries spoke resoundingly with one voice, affirming the grave injustice, recognizing the suffering and crimes against humanity committed against Africans for over four hundred years,” Beckles said.
He added that the adoption of the resolution on such a symbolic day represents a victory for the millions who endured enslavement and resisted the denial of their humanity.
The resolution recognizes the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity, citing its scale, duration, systemic nature, brutality and lasting consequences. It calls on UN member states to support reparatory measures, including the return of stolen cultural artefacts, and encourages initiatives in research, memorialization and education, as well as frameworks for dialogue and cooperation on reparatory justice.
Historians estimate that more than 15 million Africans were forcibly trafficked to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries, with around two million dying during the Middle Passage. European powers, including Britain, played a central role in the system, which relied on the backing of monarchies, financial institutions and private investors.
The resolution is expected to build momentum ahead of the upcoming anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, a landmark global framework adopted in September 2001 in Durban, South Africa to combat racism and advance equality.