Egypt’s votes for recognizing transatlantic slave trade and enslavement of Africans as among the most egregious crimes against humanity.
Author : Maryam Riyad Published at : Mar 25, 2026
Maryam Riyad
On 25 March 2026, during the commemorative event held during the General Assembly’s 75th plenary meeting (80th session) marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Egypt co-sponsored and voted in favor of resolution number A/80/L.48 led by Ghana recognizing the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Africans as among the most egregious crimes against humanity.
The resolution, adopted by a majority vote (123 in favor, 3 against, and 52 abstentions), unequivocally condemns the enslavement and trafficking of Africans and reaffirms the enduring legal and moral consequences of slavery, colonialism, and systemic racial discrimination.
In supporting the resolution, Egypt concurs the following core international legal and normative principles:
- Trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity with lasting transgenerational consequences.
- Trafficking of Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans constitute violations of jus cogens.
- Internationally wrongful acts entail a duty of reparation and that the absence of a comprehensive reparatory framework for the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement—despite their scale and enduring consequences—remains a matter of concern.