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The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution designating the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity,” a move widely welcomed by advocates as a significant step toward historical recognition and reparatory justice.

The resolution was passed on Wednesday with 123 votes in favour, while the United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against. Fifty-two countries abstained, including the United Kingdom and member states of the European Union.

Addressing the Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the transatlantic slave trade as a system that “struck at the core of personhood, broke up families, and devastated communities.” He added that those who benefited from slavery constructed racist ideologies to justify the practice, embedding prejudice into social and political systems.

John Mahama, President of Ghana, was present at UN headquarters to support the resolution. A longstanding advocate for reparations, Mahama emphasized that the measure goes beyond symbolic recognition, urging nations historically involved in the slave trade to engage in restorative justice efforts.

“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.”

The resolution formally declares the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity and highlights the enduring legacy of slavery, including persistent racial discrimination and the impacts of neo-colonialism in contemporary societies.

While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant moral and political weight, reflecting global consensus and increasing pressure on nations to address historical injustices.

Advocates argue that the decision could strengthen ongoing calls for reparations and accountability, particularly from African and Caribbean nations that continue to feel the long-term social and economic effects of slavery.