What in the World - The UN recognises slave trade as ‘gravest crime’: What now?

Download The UN recognises slave trade as ‘gravest crime’: What now?

The United Nations has voted to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity”, after a proposal from Ghana. It comes after years of campaigning from African and Caribbean nations, calling for reparations for the largest long-distance forced movement of people in recorded history.

But not all governments supported the vote. The US, Israel and Argentina voted against it and 52 countries - mostly members of the EU - decided not to take part. The wording of the resolution has received criticism, with some arguing it implies that some crimes against humanity are worse than others.

So what does this vote mean - and how could it change the way we look at this chapter of history in the future?

BBC Africa reporter Daniel Dadzie joins us for this episode to explain it all - along with two students based in Accra, Malisecullen and Abena. We also hear from Meghan in the US, who shares her thoughts on her country rejecting the vote.

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Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Mora Morrison, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Monday, 30th March 2026.

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