UN Experts call on States to Address the Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

To mark the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a group of UN experts issued a statement to ”reflect on and honour the millions of Africans who, over a period of 400 years, were cruelly uprooted from their communities and enslaved in Europe and the Americas.” 

They state that the enslavement of Africans gave rise to systemic racism which their ancestors continue to struggle with today. From economic disparities, limited access to quality education to over-representation in the criminal justice system, the lives and people of African ancestry face disproportionate challenges. 

The experts urge the international community to “ensure effective participation of people of African descent in decision-making processes and implement reparatory justice measures to redress these long-standing injustices.”

The full press release can be found on the website of the OHCHR.