UN General Assembly Declares Transatlantic Slave Trade as Gravest Crime Against Humanity
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity, with 123 votes in favor, 3 against, and 52 abstentions.
On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution, led by Ghana, received 123 votes in favor, 3 against, and 52 abstentions. Argentina, Israel, and the United States opposed the measure, while the United Kingdom and all 27 European Union member states abstained.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who championed the resolution, emphasized its role in affirming truth and pursuing healing and reparative justice. The resolution urges reparatory justice measures, including formal apologies, restitution, compensation, and institutional reforms. It also calls for the prompt and unhindered restitution of cultural items to their countries of origin without charge.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dan Negrea expressed opposition to the resolution, stating that the United States does not recognize a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred. While the resolution is not legally binding, it symbolizes a global consensus on addressing the legacies of slavery, particularly on the International Day of Remembrance for victims of the transatlantic slave trade.