United Nations Approves Resolution Calling Slavery ‘Gravest Crime Against Humanity’

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution Wednesday labeling the enslavement of Africans as humanity's worst crime and demanding reparations for historical injustices. The measure passed 123-3, with the United States, Israel, and Argentina casting the only opposing votes.

NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — In an overwhelming vote Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly approved a measure labeling the enslavement of Africans as humanity’s most severe crime and demanding reparations to address past injustices.

The measure also demands the immediate return of cultural artifacts — such as art pieces, monuments, museum collections, historical documents and national records — back to their home countries at no cost.

The final tally in the 193-nation assembly was 123 in favor, 3 opposed, and 52 countries abstaining. The United States, Israel, and Argentina cast the only votes against the measure.

While General Assembly measures lack the legal force of Security Council decisions, they serve as significant indicators of global sentiment.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who played a central role in crafting the resolution, addressed the assembly prior to voting. “Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” Mahama stated.

“The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting,” he continued. “Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of slavery.”

Britain’s acting UN representative James Kariuki acknowledged that the legacy of slavery and “its devastating consequences and long-lasting impacts” must never be forgotten.

He emphasized that Western countries remain dedicated to confronting persistent root causes today, including racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia and intolerance. Kariuki noted that “the scourge of modern slavery” — encompassing trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation and forced criminality — also requires attention.

The resolution “unequivocally condemns the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans, slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as the most inhumane and enduring injustice against humanity.”

Through this approval, the General Assembly recognizes the significance of confronting slavery’s historical wrongs “in a manner that promotes justice, human rights, dignity and healing.”

The measure urges UN member countries to participate in discussions “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.”

It also encourages voluntary donations to support education about the transatlantic slave trade and requests the African Union, Caribbean Community and Organization of American States to work with UN agencies and other countries “on reparatory justice and reconciliation.”