‘Slavery is not a thing of the past’: UN supports call for reparations

Slavery is not just a thing of the past. Its effects continue to be felt in systemic inequality and racism. This was reiterated on Monday by the UN Committee against Racial Discrimination (CERD) as the world marks the International Day of People of African Descent. The committee is calling on States to implement comprehensive restorative justice, combining compensation, restitution, rehabilitation and structural reforms.The passage of time cannot serve as a pretext for States to refuse to recognise these historical injustices or to adopt “appropriate measures of restorative justice and accountability for these crimes”, according to the committee.Comprising18 independent human rights experts elected for four-year terms, the committee’s main task is to examine the periodic reports submitted by member countries on the measures taken to combat racism and discrimination. It also advocates for comprehensive and far-reaching remedial measures, both financial, non-financial and structural, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-recurrence.National plans and deadlines“The elimination of racial discrimination cannot be effective, complete or s...