Addressing a commemorative meeting to mark the International Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade, Assembly President Dennis Francis highlighted the harrowing journeys endured by millions during the so-called Middle Passage, emphasizing the stripping of their identities and dignity. He spoke about the enslaved being cruelly regarded as commodities for sale and exploitation, enduring untold horrors at the hands of their oppressors. Francis paid tribute to revolutionary figures like Samuel Sharpe, Sojourner Truth, and Gaspar Yanga who fought for freedom, paving the way for abolitionist movements and inspiring generations to challenge injustice. He called for accountability and reparations as essential components of pursuing true justice, emphasizing the urgent need to address systemic racism and discrimination faced by people of African descent.
In addition to President Francis, Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, delivered a message on behalf of the UN chief, further amplifying the call for remembrance and justice. Rattray echoed the sentiments of honoring the millions who suffered under the brutal regime of slavery, noting that enslaved Africans fought for their freedom while colonial powers and others committed horrific crimes against them. He emphasized how the Transatlantic slave trade led to the deprivation of education, healthcare, opportunity, and prosperity for the enslaved, laying the foundations for a discriminatory system based on white supremacy that still resonates today. Rattray underscored the need for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination, urging a united effort towards a world free from racism, discrimination, bigotry, and hate.
During the meeting, 15-year-old activist Yolanda Renee King of the United States also addressed the General Assembly, carrying on the legacy of her grandfather, Martin Luther King Jr., to end racism. She spoke about the importance of education, empathy, and action in dismantling systemic racism and discrimination, highlighting the need for everyone to come together to create a more just and equitable society. King’s powerful words emphasized the ongoing impact of history, urging individuals and institutions to acknowledge their roles in perpetuating legacies of injustice and to take meaningful steps towards reparatory justice.
The messages delivered at the commemorative meeting emphasized the importance of remembering the victims of slavery and the Transatlantic slave trade, honoring their struggles, and recognizing the ongoing impact of slavery’s legacy on contemporary society. Calls for accountability, reparations, and the dismantling of systemic racism and discrimination were central themes, highlighting the need for collective action to address historical injustices and create a more inclusive and equitable world. The meeting served as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging past wrongs, learning from history, and working towards a future where human rights, dignity, and opportunity are upheld for all.
