The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans "the gravest crime against humanity" and calling for reparations as "a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs." The measure also 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 vote in the 193-member world body was 123-3, with 52 abstentions. Argentina, Israel and the United States voted against the resolution. The United Kingdom and all 27 members of the European Union were among those that abstained. The vote took place on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, honoring the memory of approximately 13 million African men, women and children enslaved over several centuries.
What the Right Is Saying
The United States opposed the resolution, with Deputy U.S. Ambassador Dan Negrea stating that while the U.S. opposes the transatlantic slave trade and all other forms of slavery, it "does not recognize a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred."
Negrea also said: "The United States strongly objects to the resolution's attempt to rank crimes against humanity in any type of hierarchy. The assertion that some crimes against humanity are less severe than others objectively diminishes the suffering of countless victims and survivors of other atrocities throughout history."
The United Kingdom and European Union nations abstained, with British acting U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki expressing concerns on behalf of mainly Western nations. Speaking before the vote, Kariuki said Western nations are committed to tackling root causes that persist today, including racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia and intolerance. He noted that "the scourge of modern slavery" also must be addressed, including trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation and forced criminality.
Cyprus' deputy U.N. ambassador Gabriella Michaelidou, speaking on behalf of the EU, echoed concerns about "the use of superlatives" that imply "a hierarchy among atrocity crimes." She cited the EU's concern about the resolution's "unbalanced interpretation of historical events" and legal references that are inaccurate or inconsistent with international law, including "suggestions of a retroactive application of international rules which was non-existent at the time and claims for reparations."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of the resolution framed it as a long-overdue acknowledgment of historical injustice. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, a key architect of the resolution, said before the vote: "Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice." He added: "The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting. 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."
Supporters argued that the resolution provides a framework for addressing the "devastating consequences and long-lasting impacts" of slavery. The measure 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."
In the United States, support for reparations gained momentum following the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, though the issue has faced resistance amid broader debates over how race, history and inequality are handled in public institutions.
What the Numbers Show
The vote count was 123 in favor, 3 against (Argentina, Israel, United States), and 52 abstentions. The resolution passed with support from more than 60% of the 193-member General Assembly. Major colonial powers including Britain, France, Germany and other EU members abstained along with several other Western nations.
The resolution acknowledges approximately 13 million African men, women and children who were enslaved over several centuries during the transatlantic slave trade. Unlike U.N. Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but serve as an important reflection of world opinion.
The resolution encourages voluntary contributions to promote education on the transatlantic slave trade and asks the African Union, the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States to collaborate with U.N. bodies and other nations "on reparatory justice and reconciliation."
The Bottom Line
The adoption of this resolution marks a significant symbolic step in the global debate over historical justice for slavery, with an overwhelming majority of U.N. member states supporting the call for reparations. However, the opposition from the United States and key European nations — along with their abstention from the vote — highlights persistent disagreements over the legal and moral basis for reparations.
The resolution is non-binding, meaning it does not create legal obligations for any nation. It instead establishes a framework for dialogue on reparatory justice, including formal apologies, restitution of cultural artifacts, compensation and other measures. Analysts say the real impact will depend on whether member nations choose to engage in the diplomatic process the resolution establishes.
What to watch: How individual nations, particularly former colonial powers, respond to calls for bilateral discussions on reparations. The resolution also sets the stage for ongoing debates about museum restitutions, as cultural institutions in Europe and America face continued pressure to return African artifacts acquired during the colonial era.