Head Of United Nations Says Reparations For Slavery Are Necessary To Fight Systemic Racism

Thierry Monasse / Contributor / Getty Images The United Nation’s (UN) International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed every year on March 25. On Monday, the chief of the intergovernmental organization called for reparations for slavery, citing them as necessary to fight systemic racism. Per a statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “the past ‘laid the foundations for a violent discrimination system based on white supremacy.’” “We call for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination,” said Guterres. “We appeal for the space and necessary conditions for healing, repair and justice,” Guterres continued. “Descendants of enslaved Africans and people of African descent are still fighting for equal rights and freedoms around the world.” During the U.N. General Assembly, Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caribbean Community political and economic union (CARICOM) reparations commission, said, “This is the movement that will signal the triumph of good over evil.” The CARICOM reparations commission was created “to seek reparations, including debt cancellations and support to tackle public health crises, from former colonial powers such as the United Kingdom, France and Portugal.” A poll on Monday from the Repair Campaign, which is...