UN General Assembly Resolution A/80/L.48 on declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as a crime against humanity

That this House regrets the Government’s decision to abstain on the recent United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/80/L.48 rather than vote for it; recognises the immense harm and suffering caused by the transatlantic slave trade, and the legacy of harm left by the practice, as well as colonialism and neocolonialism; notes that the Ghanaian Government’s resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity was backed by the African Union, the Caribbean Community and a large global coalition; further notes that engagement with discussions on reparations would reveal that this is not just about financial compensation, but accountability, equality and justice; believes that, given Britain’s central role in the trafficking and enslavement of African peoples, the decision to abstain was a betrayal of every life consumed by this gross human rights abuse; is concerned that no Parliamentary debate was held prior to the vote and therefore does not believe this vote reflects the will of Parliament; and calls on the Government to commit to a full Parliamentary debate prior to any future UN resolutions on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.