United States: UN rights experts gravely concerned over ‘brutal deaths’ at hands of police

Unravelling the legacies of slavery

“You’re speaking about the greatest crime against humanity ever committed,” said renowned historian Sir Hilary Beckles, who also chairs the Caribbean Community’s Reparations Commission, reflecting on the transatlantic trade that enslaved more than 10 million Africans over four centuries. “One could say it was an institution that was abolished 200 years ago, but let me…

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World News in Brief: Gaza aid, supporting Afghan returnees, end modern slavery, SDGs disabilities promise

World News in Brief: Gaza aid, supporting Afghan returnees, end modern slavery, SDGs disabilities promise

He said the UN was able to step up delivery of basic supplies into and across the Gaza Strip during the week-long pause in fighting, primarily through the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies. This included 630 metric tonnes of flour for 224,000 people in the south, and 63,000 blankets and mattresses.   “Cooking gas had…

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UN expert sounds alarm over ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in Canada

UN expert sounds alarm over ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in Canada

Tomoya Obokata, the Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on the global scourge of modern slavery issued his statement at the end of a 14-day visit. He called on the Canadian Government to intensify its efforts to safeguard workers’ rights and offer a clear pathway to permanent residency for all migrants. Migrant workers at risk “I am deeply…

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109-year-old Tulsa Massacre survivor reflects on legacy of slavery in UN visit

109-year-old Tulsa Massacre survivor reflects on legacy of slavery in UN visit

Together with her grandson, Ike Howard, the 109-year-old Ms. Fletcher came to UN Headquarters this week to commemorate the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Standing in front of the Ark of Return monument, Ms. Fletcher and Mr. Howard spoke with UN News to discuss…

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The King of the Netherlands has apologized for his country's role in the era of slavery

The King of the Netherlands has apologized for his country’s role in the era of slavery

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands apologized for the Netherlands’ past involvement in the enslavement of humans. King William-Alexander was speaking at a ceremony to mark 160 years since the end of slavery in the Netherlands. He said that today we remember the Dutch history of slavery, I apologize for the atrocities against humanity. “Prejudice is…

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USA: Slavery has left a deep and long-lasting legacy on the country, UN experts say

USA: Slavery has left a deep and long-lasting legacy on the country, UN experts say

During the visit, the Mechanism visited Washington DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York City saying in a press release, that it had been pleased to learn about various promising initiatives that authorities have developed to combat racial discrimination affecting people of African descent. Urging accountability and support Members of the UN Human…

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