In the margin of the 61^st Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC), the Permanent Delegation of the African Union (AU), in collaboration with the African Group in Geneva and the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) World Against Racism Network (WARN), organized its annual event to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The side event which brought together participants from different member states, UN Agencies and partner organization, was in conformity with the decision of the UN General Assembly adopted in December 2007 and proclaiming 25 March as the international day for the celebration of the abolition of Slavery.

H.E. Dr. Girma Amente Nono, Permanent Representative of the African Union in Geneva moderated the panel discussion that was held to exchange views on the theme of the commemoration in honor of the memory of the millions who suffered and perished in the transatlantic slave trade, advocating for justice, healing, and the recognition of human dignity. Panelist included Hon. Idrisaa Sow, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, H.E. Amb. Fancy Chepkemoi Too, Permanent Representative of Kenya, African Group Coordinator for Human Rights, H.E. Amb. Ann-Kathryne Lassegue, Permanent Representative of Haiti as coordinator of CARICOM, Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Lidiya Grigoreva, Chief of staff of the UN Office in Geneva, Ms. Bridget Ohabuche, Europe Pan-African Forum for People of African Descent, and M. Jan Lonn, World Against Racism Network.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Nono underlined that the African Union Summit, declared 2025 as the year for “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” and that several activities were conducted around the world to advocate for this theme. In the same vein, at the initiative of the delegation of Togo, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government adopted in February 2025 a decision, recognizing slave trade as crime against humanity. The AU Summit further decided in February 2026 to include the reparations for transatlantic enslavement, colonialism and apartheid as one of its flagship projects.

The panel discussion emphasized the need to address the causes and consequences as well as lessons learnt from slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, to raise awareness of the dangers of racism and stereotypes. The panellists called for concrete action to address the marginalization that people of African descent continue to suffer in many regions of the world, including through reparations.

It is worth noting that, at the initiative of the African Group led by the Delegation of South Africa, the HRC adopted in October 2025 the periodic resolution called: “From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” in which the AG reaffirmed the importance of the collective fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including addressing the deep historical roots of contemporary forms of racism, and acknowledging the multiple and aggravated forms of racial discrimination. The African Group underscored the importance of reparations to people of African descent for the historical injustices including slavery and colonialism, in line with the AU theme for the year 2025.

“The abolition of slavery should not remain a static point in history. It should rather enable the international community to look towards a better future in which determination to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance will be stronger than ever and will translate into effective action”. Concluded the Permanent Representative of the African Union in Geneva.

Media Contact:

Esther Yambou | Head of Media and Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | and Communication Adviser for the Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN, E-mail:  YambouE@africanunion.org