Debate reopens over UN slavery resolution and historical memory

The recent **UN** declaration on the trade of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity reopens the debate on historical memory and justice. It is crucial to recognize all forms of slavery and their perpetrators.

## The UN and the trade of Africans

The **United Nations General Assembly** has issued a resolution classifying the trafficking of Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity". This declaration, made public in **2023**, seeks to recognize and condemn the atrocities committed over centuries. The decision underscores the importance of historical memory and the need to address the deep scars that slavery has left on societies around the world.

## Other forms of slavery ignored

However, this resolution has sparked debate for not explicitly mentioning the **Barbary** slave trade, which affected a large number of Europeans. Historians point out that Arab and Muslim merchants were responsible for the enslavement of millions of Africans, in addition to the aforementioned enslavement of Europeans. Ignoring these other facets of slavery can lead to an incomplete understanding of the phenomenon and those responsible for it.

## Historical justice and collective memory

Addressing slavery requires a broad perspective that includes all its manifestations and perpetrators. The struggle for historical justice involves recognizing the suffering of all victims, regardless of their origin or the era. Collective memory must be inclusive, ensuring that painful chapters of history, such as the enslavement of Africans and Europeans, and their complex networks of trade and oppression, are not forgotten.