02/09/2026
General recommendation - No.40 on Reparatory justice for the harms and continuing consequences of colonialism, the trafficking in enslaved Africans across the Atlantic and other routes, and racialized chattel slavery - Advance unedited version
PUBLISHED 31 August 2026
UN SYMBOL- CERD/C/GC/40
This General Recommendation provides authoritative guidance on the legal basis for State responsibility to ensure reparatory justice for harms resulting from both direct and indirect involvement in the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel slavery. It clarifies the obligations of States parties under the Convention and sets out a framework for addressing the enduring consequences of these historical injustices.
Trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel slavery inflicted grave and systematic harms, and their legacies remain reflected in contemporary infringements of the rights to security of person, liberty, equality before the law, and the full range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights protected under article 5 of the Convention. They continue to shape laws, policies and institutions in many societies.
Contemporary manifestations include:
- Racial profiling and the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement officials;
- Racial disparities within criminal justice systems;
- Discriminatory laws, policies and institutional practices affecting access to housing, education, employment and health care; and
- Persistent structural inequalities affecting people of African descent and other affected communities. Reed full article here 👇🏾
https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-recommendation-no40-reparatory-justice-harms
Modi Ntambwe Aziza Maria Braekevelt Africana
SummaryThis General Recommendation provides authoritative guidance on the legal basis for State responsibility to ensure reparatory justice for harms resulting from both direct and indirect involvement in the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel slavery. It clarifies the obligatio...