UN Chief Calls for Slavery Reparations to Overcome ‘Generations of Discrimination’

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called on Monday for reparations over the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people as a way to tackle its legacy in today’s society, including systemic racism.

{snip}

In a statement to mark the U.N. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery, Guterres said the past “laid the foundations for a violent discrimination system based on white supremacy”.

“We call for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination,” Guterres said.

In September, a U.N. report suggested countries should consider financial reparations to compensate for slavery. {snip}

“This is the movement that will signal, finally, the collective victory of humanity, of good over evil,” Hilary Beckles, chair of the reparations commission of the Caribbean Community political and economic union (CARICOM), said at the U.N. General Assembly.

The CARICOM reparations commission was set up to seek reparations, opens new tab, including debt cancellations and support to tackle public health crises, from former colonial powers such as the United Kingdom, France and Portugal.

{snip}