The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade “the gravest crime against humanity,” though the United States joined a small group of nations in opposing the measure.
The resolution passed on Wednesday with 123 votes in favor and three against, the United States, Israel , and Argentina, while 52 countries abstained, including the United Kingdom and all member states of the European Union.
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Beyond its symbolic declaration, the resolution calls for reparations as “a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs,” and urges “the prompt and unhindered restitution” of cultural artifacts, including artworks, archives, and monuments, to their countries of origin.
Explaining Washington’s opposition, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dan Negrea said the United States does not accept a legal basis for reparations tied to historical acts that were not unlawful under international law at the time.
“the united states also strongly objects to the resolution’s attempt to rank crimes against humanity in any type of hierarchy,” negrea said. “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.”
He added that while the U.S. condemns slavery and its legacy, it “does not recognize a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs.”
The vote reflects longstanding divisions among member states over how to address the legacy of slavery and whether reparations should form part of that response. General Assembly resolutions, while not legally binding, are considered influential indicators of global opinion.
The measure was strongly backed by Ghana, whose president, John Mahama, framed the vote as a moral and historical imperative.
“today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” mahama said. “the adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting.”
Mahama also noted the timing of the vote, which coincided with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, commemorating the millions of Africans who were enslaved over several centuries.
Western nations that abstained acknowledged the enduring impact of slavery but raised concerns about aspects of the resolution. British representative James Kariuki emphasized the need to address ongoing issues such as racism and modern forms of exploitation, while cautioning against framing historical atrocities in comparative terms.
Similarly, European Union representatives questioned what they described as “the use of superlatives” and raised legal concerns regarding references to reparations and the interpretation of historical events under contemporary international law.
Despite these objections, the resolution affirms the importance of confronting the legacy of slavery and encourages member states to engage in dialogue on reparatory justice, including formal apologies, compensation, and policy reforms aimed at addressing systemic discrimination.
It also calls for increased collaboration between international bodies, including regional organizations such as the African Union and the Caribbean Community, to advance education, reconciliation and restorative justice initiatives linked to the transatlantic slave trade.
