‘Reparatory Justice’ Key to Ending Racism against Africans and Their Descendants

For the most part, the report found that amid some rollback of commitments to racial justice, measures taken by States, businesses, religious groups, universities, museums and others remain limited.

“To deliver reparatory justice, States and other actors must implement a comprehensive approach that includes reparations in various forms,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

“To be truly effective, this approach must squarely consider the web of links between the past and the present – at the individual and societal levels, in all areas of life – in order to dismantle unjust structures and systems designed and shaped by the past.”

Consider local contexts

Mr. Türk cautioned against a “one-size-fits-all approach” as reparatory justice should respond to the demands of affected communities.

“Initiatives and processes should be grounded in history and local context, respond to evolving demands of communities, and centre the specific experiences of women of African descent in particular,” he said.

The report recommends that Africans and people of African descent must guide the design and implementation of these measures through meaningful, inclusive and safe participation.

Reviews, restitution and research

It also highlights initiatives already underway. For example, some countries have reviewed public spaces to identify, remove or contextualise statues and place names linked to persons who were involved in the transatlantic slave trade.

Museums in several European countries are also taking steps to address their collections’ links with the past.

The restitution of cultural heritage is continuing, such as the return of so-called “Benin bronzes” – centuries’ old sculptures, plaques and other items looted from what is now Edo state in Nigeria.

Additionally, some academic institutions have carried out or funded external research into their own history, issued apologies, advanced educational opportunities for communities and created memorials. Some business enterprises also have taken clear steps to acknowledge their links with the past.

“Claims for compensation have been lodged before courts in multiple jurisdictions, and associated legal arguments have bolstered wider public movements and fostered political pressure for change,” the UN rights office added.

The report calls for further research and policy proposals on broader structural and systemic issues, including in the areas of climate and environmental justice, as well as reforms to address the shortcomings of development aid and international financial and governance architecture.