Amnesty International has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution recognizing chattel enslavement of Africans as a crime against humanity, describing the move as a landmark victory for legal recognition and reparative justice.
In a statement issued following the vote, the global human rights organization praised the resolution tabled by Ghana on behalf of the African continent and people of African descent. The measure passed with 123 member states in favour, 3 against, and 53 abstentions.
“Amnesty International welcomes the recognition of chattel enslavement of Africans as a crime against humanity at the U.N General Assembly, following a resolution tabled by Ghana on behalf of the African continent and people of African descent,” the organization said.
BREAKING: Amnesty International welcomes the recognition of chattel enslavement of Africans as a crime against humanity at the U.N General Assembly, following a resolution tabled by #Ghana on behalf of the African continent and people of African descent.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) March 25, 2026
The statement emphasized that the legacy of slavery and colonialism continues to inflict harm on communities worldwide, more than a century after the transatlantic slave trade was formally abolished.
“Across the world, people are still suffering the long-lasting effects of slavery and colonialism, manifesting in today’s racism and global inequality, while States and private actors profited from these historical injustices,” Amnesty International noted.
The organization hailed the resolution as a pivotal development in the decades-long struggle for reparatory justice, arguing that it establishes a clear foundation for accountability and redress.
“Today’s resolution is a momentous step forward for legal recognition and reparations for those who have suffered the enduring harms of chattel enslavement around the world,” Amnesty said.
The resolution, spearheaded by Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, formally declares slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as one of the greatest injustices against humanity. It calls on former slave-trading nations to engage in dialogue with African states and the African Union to address historical wrongs through concrete measures, which may include financial compensation, debt cancellation, development assistance, and the return of looted cultural artifacts.
Amnesty International’s endorsement adds significant weight to the resolution, reflecting a growing consensus among human rights organizations that reparatory justice is an essential component of addressing historical and ongoing racial inequality.
The organization’s statement also implicitly underscores the role of both states and private entities that profited from slavery, signaling that accountability may extend beyond governments to corporations and institutions whose wealth was built on the exploitation of enslaved Africans.
While the resolution is non-binding, its adoption with a commanding majority, coupled with strong endorsements from major human rights groups, is expected to intensify pressure on former colonial and slave-trading powers to engage substantively with reparations demands.
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