A UN committee has declared that countries are legally obligated to consider reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and to implement measures addressing the enduring legacy of racial discrimination. This guidance was published on Monday by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), emphasizing that these obligations stem from a legally binding 1965 convention on racial discrimination, rather than the legal standards that existed during the time of the slave trade.
Paradigm Shift in Reparations Debate
The committee described this approach as a "paradigm shift" away from historical responsibility debates that have often been used by governments to resist reparations claims. The UN document states:
“"States parties must implement comprehensive reparatory measures for people of African descent, covering all aspects of remedies."
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were forcibly taken and sold, marking what CERD referred to as the largest forced displacement in history. Calls for reparations, which range from official apologies to financial compensation, have gained international momentum. However, some opponents argue that states and institutions should not be held accountable for historical crimes.
