Trending Now - UN Acknowledges Slavery as Humanity's Worst Crime, Ghana Seeks Reparation

WHO:

Deputy U.S. Ambassador Dan Negrea stated, "The United States also strongly objects to the resolution's attempt to rank crimes against humanity in any type of hierarchy."

British acting U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki emphasized the importance of remembering "the history of slavery and its devastating consequences and long-lasting impacts."

Ghana's President John Mahama stated, "Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of the slave trade and those who continue to suffer racial discrimination."

Ghana's President John Mahama

United Nations (UN)

WHAT:

The resolution calls for "voluntary contributions to promote education on the transatlantic slave trade."

The resolution urges collaboration with the African Union, the Caribbean Community, and the Organization of American States "on reparatory justice and reconciliation."

The UN General Assembly voted 123-3, with 52 abstentions, on the resolution recognizing the trafficking of enslaved Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity."

Argentina, Israel, and the United States were the three members voting against the resolution.

The resolution urges "the prompt and unhindered restitution" of cultural items, including artworks, monuments, museum pieces, documents, and national archives, to their countries of origin without charge.

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for reparations as "a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs."

The UN voted to recognize the enslavement of Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity."

Ghana is seeking compensation for the impacts of slavery.

WHERE:

United Nations assembly

WHEN:

The vote took place in 2026.

WHY:

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama stated, "Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice."

Mahama noted that the vote took place on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, honoring the memory of about 13 million African men, women, and children enslaved over several centuries.

President John Mahama stated the vote was a moral action for the memory of the millions who suffered from the slave trade and those who continue to face racial discrimination.

HOW:

The resolution is not legally binding but reflects world opinion, as stated in the articles.

The resolution calls on U.N. member nations to engage in talks "on reparatory justice, including a full and formal apology, measures of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, guarantees of non-repetition and changes to laws, programs and services to address racism and systemic discrimination."

The decision was made through a voting process at the UN assembly, which recognized the trafficking of enslaved Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity."

The decision was made through a voting process at the UN assembly.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:21 UTC)

At a recent U.N. meeting, Deputy U.S. Ambassador Dan Negrea expressed strong objections to a resolution that attempts to rank crimes against humanity, while British acting U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki highlighted the importance of acknowledging the history of slavery and its lasting impacts. The resolution calls for voluntary contributions to promote education on the transatlantic slave trade and urges collaboration with the African Union, the Caribbean Community, and the Organization of American States on issues of reparatory justice and reconciliation. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it serves to reflect the prevailing world opinion on these critical matters.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 11:18 UTC)

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly, 123 to 3 with 52 abstentions, to recognize the trafficking of enslaved Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity," with Argentina, Israel, and the United States opposing the resolution. This significant vote coincided with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, as Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the importance of pursuing healing and reparative justice for the estimated 13 million Africans who suffered enslavement. The resolution also calls on member nations to engage in discussions about reparatory justice, which includes formal apologies, restitution, and measures to combat racism and systemic discrimination.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 01:22 UTC)

On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for reparations as a significant step towards addressing historical injustices. Ghana's President John Mahama emphasized the importance of this moment, stating, "Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of the slave trade and those who continue to suffer racial discrimination." The decision came after a voting process that acknowledged the trafficking of enslaved Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity."

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 00:38 UTC)

The United Nations assembly has voted to recognize the enslavement of Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity," a decision that Ghana's President John Mahama described as a moral action honoring the millions who suffered from the slave trade and those still facing racial discrimination. Ghana is now seeking compensation for the impacts of slavery following this historic vote, which took place in 2026. This significant resolution was reached through a formal voting process at the UN assembly.