Countries legally obliged to consider slavery reparations, says UN committee

A UN committee on the elimination of racial discrimination (CERD) has issued guidance stating that countries are legally obligated to consider reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. This obligation stems from a 1965 convention on racial discrimination, not from the legal standards of the era when the slave trade occurred. The guidance calls for comprehensive reparatory measures for people of African descent, encompassing various remedies beyond financial compensation. These measures should address the enduring legacy of racial discrimination and include actions like opening archives and revising public memorials. The committee aims to shift the focus from historical responsibility debates to concrete actions for addressing structural inequalities.

A UN committee has stated that countries are legally obligated to consider reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and implement measures to address ongoing racial discrimination. This guidance, released by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Monday, asserts that these obligations stem from the legally binding 1965 convention on racial discrimination. The committee views this as a significant change, moving away from historical responsibility debates that have often hindered reparations claims. The guidance emphasizes that the legal basis for these considerations is rooted in contemporary international law, not the legal standards of the era when the slave trade occurred.