A coalition of African and Caribbean nations is demanding apologies and reparations from countries that benefited from transatlantic slave trade. This push came after a three-day conference in Accra,Ghana, aimed at advancing reparatory justice. It follows a notable UN resolution earlier this year labeling transatlantic slavery as "gravest crime against humanity."
Leaders at the conference backed a 19-point reparations plan highlighting debt relief,return of stolen cultural artifacts,and creation of global reparations fund . While plan doesn't specify financial amounts,it targets enduring impacts of slavery,especially on African women and girls. Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama stressed nations’ historical responsibility,saying,"History does not ask us to inherit guilt,but it asks us to inherit responsibility."
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed conference virtually, acknowledging dehumanization of enslaved people but warned against seeing reparations purely as financial compensation. He said payments shouldn't be seen as a "cheque written to bring the story to close."
In March,UN General Assembly passed resolution with 123 votes, declaring transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity. Only three nations—the United States,Israel,and Argentina—voted against,while 52 countries, including United Kingdom and EU members, abstained. But General Assembly resolutions aren't legally binding like Security Council's.
Despite momentum for reparations, UK government consistently rejects such demands,arguing contemporary institutions can't be held accountable for past injustices. UK ambassador to UN James Kariuki emphasized that "no single set of atrocities should be regarded as more or less significant than another." US ambassador also doubted legal basis for reparations, questioning who would qualify for "reparatory justice."
Historically, reparations have mostly bypassed descendants of enslaved Africans. Compensation often went to slave owners,not those who suffered . In the 1830s, UK government paid over $21 billion (£16 billion) today to compensate slave owners post-abolition.
Conference in Ghana marks a crucial point in ongoing reparations dialogue. As nations confront colonial pasts,call for formal apologies and reparations grows louder,reflecting broader demand for justice…
