UN Motion: ‘Slavery is Gravest Crime Against Humanity,’ Mahama Declares

New york: President John Dramani Mahama has moved a motion at the Plenary Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. President Mahama, who serves as the African Union Champion for Reparations, presented Ghana's motion on behalf of the Africa Group at the UN. According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama emphasized that progress is made incrementally, with each small step contributing to a forward motion towards a better future. March 25th each year is dedicated to the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, honoring the memory of approximately 13 million African men, women, and children enslaved over centuries. The President noted that this day serves to remember the victims through various means such as articles, oral histories, broadcasts, books, music, and visits to museums and memorials like the Ark of Return at the UN Headquarters. He stressed that these activities not only commemorate the past but also serve as educational tools, offering perspective and promoting healing within communities worldwide. Mahama recounted that the decision to mark March 25th as a Day of Remembrance was made in 2006, with the event becoming an annual observance from 2007 onwards. This marked a significant step forward in acknowledging the atrocities of slavery and its enduring impact. Addressing the General Assembly, President Mahama highlighted the draft resolution titled 'Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Grievous Crime Against Humanity.' He explained that this resolution is the culmination of extensive consultation and consensus building among continental bodies, nations, experts, scholars, and jurists, aimed at achieving a united front grounded in truth, compassion, and moral conscience. The President emphasized that the adoption of this resolution serves as a reminder against forgetting the past and challenges the persistent scars of slavery. He concluded his address by quoting two historical figures, former US President Theodore Roosevelt and Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King, underlining the importance of standing on the right side of history. President Mahama's call to action urged UN delegates to vote in favor of the resolution, restoring dignity and humanity to those who suffered the indignity of the slave trade and continue to face racial discrimination.