‘It is high time reparatory justice is made priority’- UN Human Rights Commissioner

NEW YORK, USA- Even as the [British] Virgin Islands struggle against the heavy hand of colonialism by the United Kingdom (UK), UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has said it was paramount that “strong leadership and political will from States and the international community be galvanised to finally, comprehensively address the entrenched legacies of colonialism, enslavement and the trade in enslaved Africans.”

“Reparatory justice is not just about addressing the wrongful acts of the past, it is about building societies that are truly inclusive, equal and free from racism and racial discrimination. A comprehensive approach should, therefore, address the past, present and future,” Türk said.

Mr Türk’s strong comments come on the heel of an in-depth UN report focused on reparatory justice for people of African descent, published on September 19, 2023.

‘Strong leadership & political will’ needed- Türk

The Report urges States to show strong leadership and political will in tackling the lasting consequences of enslavement, the trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism.

“It is high time reparatory justice is made a priority, to address one of the biggest injustices in human history, and one that continues to negatively impact the daily lives of people of African descent across the globe,” Türk stressed.

The report to the UN General Assembly, by the UN Secretary-General, sets out a series of concrete steps for States and the international community to address the continued harms suffered by people of African descent – highlighting the intrinsic link between the legacies of colonialism and enslavement and contemporary forms of systemic racism and racial discrimination, intolerance and xenophobia faced by people of African descent.