Remembering the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Top UN officials, including the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, paid tribute to the millions of men, women, and children who suffered as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, one of the most devastating chapters in human history.
Honoring the Victims
Addressing a commemorative meeting to mark the International Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade, Assembly President Dennis Francis highlighted the harrowing journeys endured by millions during the so-called Middle Passage, emphasizing the stripping of their identities and dignity.
- The enslaved were cruelly regarded as mere commodities for sale and exploitation.
- Children born into slavery perpetuated the vicious cycle of bondage and suffering.
Pursuing Justice and Reparations
Assembly President Francis paid tribute to revolutionary figures such as Samuel Sharpe, Sojourner Truth, and Gaspar Yanga, who bravely fought for freedom, paving the way for abolitionist movements and inspiring generations to challenge injustice.
He emphasized the ongoing impact of slavery’s legacy, calling for accountability and reparations as essential components of pursuing true justice. There is an urgent need to address systemic racism and discrimination faced by people of African descent, both historically and in contemporary society.
- States, institutions, and individuals must acknowledge their roles in perpetuating legacies of injustice.
- Meaningful steps towards reparatory justice are crucial.
Continuing Echoes Today
Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, delivered a message on behalf of the UN chief, echoing the call for remembrance and justice.
Mr. Rattray underscored the need for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination, urging united effort towards a world free from racism, discrimination, bigotry, and hate.
Ending Racism and Discrimination
15-year-old activist Yolanda Renee King of the United States addressed the General Assembly, emphasizing the need to carry on the legacy of fighting against racial injustice.
She called on young people to lead the way to a better world, connecting globally to advance human rights and social justice for all nations.
“Let’s today affirm the bonds of interdependence that unite freedom and justice-loving people everywhere,” she said. “All the young people in the world should embrace the future with hope, optimism, and the assurance that we shall overcome, as sisters and brothers of all races, religions, and nations.”