Reparations take many forms': what the UN's landmark vote on enslavement means for restorative justice

"The United Nations voted to describe the transatlantic chattel slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity and called for reparations as a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs."

"The response to the vote among the community was broadly positive, marking an achievement in recognizing the slave trade for the crime it was and calling for compensation for its consequences."

"While 123 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 52 abstentions included many European countries and the US and UK, which were historically responsible for the trafficking."

"Ebony Riddell Bamber noted that the abstentions did not negate the seriousness of the charge, and the outcome is viewed as a glass-half-full result."

The United Nations recently voted to classify the transatlantic chattel slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity, advocating for reparations to address historical injustices. This vote marks a significant milestone in a long journey towards recognition and accountability. The response from the community has been largely positive, acknowledging the importance of recognizing the slave trade's impact. Despite some countries abstaining from the vote, the overall outcome is seen as a step forward in addressing the consequences of economic dispossession and cultural erasure stemming from slavery.

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