US, Israel oppose UN resolution against slavery crimes
Resolution labeling transatlantic slavery as gravest crime passes despite opposition, exposing Western reluctance on reparations and accountability
NEW YORK (MNTV) — The United States and Israel have voted against a United Nations resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest” crime against humanity, drawing criticism over their continued resistance to historical accountability and reparations.
The resolution, introduced by Ghana on behalf of African nations, was adopted with overwhelming support, receiving 123 votes in favor. However, Washington and Tel Aviv joined Argentina in opposing the measure, while several Western allies — including the United Kingdom, European Union states and Japan — abstained.
The resolution formally characterizes the enslavement and trafficking of Africans over centuries as the most severe crime against humanity and calls for reparations as a necessary step toward addressing historical injustices. It also underscores the enduring economic and structural inequalities rooted in colonial exploitation.
Despite acknowledging the moral wrongdoing of slavery, U.S. officials rejected the legal basis for reparations. Washington argued that such historical practices were not illegal under international law at the time, a position widely criticized by human rights advocates as a selective interpretation designed to avoid responsibility.
Analysts say the vote reflects a broader pattern in U.S. policy — resisting accountability for historical injustices while simultaneously maintaining global systems of economic dominance. Critics often point to modern financial structures, debt regimes and labor exploitation as extensions of historical systems of control, disproportionately affecting countries in the Global South.
Israel’s opposition has also drawn scrutiny, particularly in light of its continued expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and policies widely condemned as violations of international law. Observers argue that rejecting recognition of historical crimes while engaging in ongoing territorial and demographic control highlights a brutal synchrony in its position on human rights.
The transatlantic slave trade forcibly displaced more than 12 million Africans over four centuries, with millions dying during transport or under brutal conditions upon arrival. Experts say its legacy continues to shape global inequality, particularly across Africa and the African diaspora.
Ghana’s foreign minister described the resolution as a historic step, emphasizing that it represents a collective acknowledgment of truth and a move toward justice. However, the opposition and abstentions by major Western powers underscore deep divisions over how far the international community is willing to go in addressing the consequences of slavery.
The vote comes amid growing global calls for reparative justice and renewed scrutiny of colonial-era exploitation, with many arguing that meaningful accountability remains elusive as powerful nations continue to resist structural change.
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