Switzerland: A United Nations committee on Monday said countries are legally obliged to consider reparations for the enduring effects of the transatlantic slave trade and address racial discrimination linked to its legacy.
The guidance was issued by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which said states have obligations under the legally binding 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The committee said those obligations arise from the convention itself rather than from legal standards that existed at the time the transatlantic slave trade took place.
The guidance calls on countries to adopt measures aimed at addressing the continuing effects of slavery and racial discrimination, including what the committee described as “transformative” measures.
Why has the UN committee called for reparations?
The committee said the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and racial discrimination continues to affect communities today.
It argued that states have a legal responsibility under the 1965 convention to address contemporary consequences of racial discrimination, including those connected to historical systems of slavery.
The guidance comes amid longstanding calls in several countries for compensation, restitution and other forms of reparative justice for communities affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
What measures does the committee recommend?
The committee urged states to consider reparations and other measures designed to address the continuing impact of racial discrimination.
It said governments should pursue measures capable of producing lasting changes rather than limiting their response to symbolic recognition of historical injustices.
The guidance also comes as some countries have faced continued calls to acknowledge the historical role of slavery and colonialism and provide forms of reparative justice.
The committee’s recommendations are based on states’ obligations under the 1965 convention and focus on addressing racial discrimination that persists in the present day.