NEW YORK – The United Nations General Assembly has officially designated the transatlantic slave trade as “the most serious crime against humanity,” following the adoption of a resolution introduced by Ghana.
The resolution was approved with 123 votes in favor. Three countries—the United States, Israel, and Argentina—voted against it, while the Netherlands and 51 other member states abstained.
All African and Caribbean countries voted in support of the measure, which calls on nations to engage in dialogue on reparations for descendants of enslaved people.
Debate over wording and legal implications
Several countries that abstained cited concerns over the wording of the resolution. The United Kingdom stated that while it recognizes the atrocities of slavery, it does not support creating a hierarchy among historical crimes.
A similar position was expressed by the European Union. In a statement, EU representative Gabriella Michaelidou argued that terms such as “most serious crime” imply comparisons between different historical injustices. She also raised concerns about what she described as an “unbalanced interpretation of historical events” and potential legal inconsistencies, particularly regarding retroactive application of international law and claims for reparations.
The United States reiterated its opposition to reparations, stating that it does not recognize a legal obligation to compensate for actions that were not considered illegal under international law at the time.
Push for justice and recognition
Ghana’s President John Mahama, who advocated for the resolution, described it as an important step toward “healing and justice.” The African Union has also been working toward a unified position on reparations from former colonial powers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a continued reckoning with the legacy of slavery and racism, emphasizing the need to remove barriers that still affect people of African descent.
Relevance for Curaçao and the Kingdom
The resolution carries particular significance for Curaçao and the wider Caribbean, where the legacy of slavery remains deeply rooted in society, culture, and economic structures.
The Netherlands, which abstained from the vote, is the only European country to have formally apologized for its role in slavery. King Willem-Alexander issued an apology in July 2023 during the national commemoration of slavery, following an earlier apology by then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte in December 2022.
While the Dutch government has not committed to reparations, it has allocated €200 million since 2022 for education, awareness, and initiatives related to the history of slavery.
Historical context
The transatlantic slave trade, which lasted more than 300 years from the 16th to the 19th century, saw an estimated 12 million Africans forcibly transported to the Americas under brutal conditions. Many did not survive the journey.
European powers, including the Netherlands through the West India Company (WIC), played a central role in the trade, generating significant profits while enslaved people were forced into harsh labor on plantations.
The UN resolution now places renewed international focus on this history and the ongoing debate over accountability and reparative justice.