UN Defines Transatlantic Slave Trade as Crime

Why this is here: Fifty-two countries, including all members of the European Union, abstained from voting on the UN resolution defining the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity.

The United Nations General Assembly recently declared the transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity. One hundred and twenty-three countries supported this resolution on March 25th, including 54 from Africa and 15 from the Caribbean Community (Caricom). The United States, Argentina, and Israel voted against the resolution, while 52 countries—all European Union members among them—abstained.

France’s absence from this vote is notable given its earlier leadership. Twenty-five years ago, France passed the Taubira Law recognizing the slave trade as a crime against humanity, becoming the first Western nation to do so.

France also participated in the 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa, affirming slavery as a crime. However, France did not join discussions regarding potential reparations at that time.

France established the National Day for the Memory of the Slave Trade in 2006 and created the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery in 2019. More recently, on May 9th, France enacted a law easing the return of artifacts seized during colonization. The article notes this work is ongoing, as much of it remains unread by subscribers.