Countries such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Portugal must repair damages resulting from the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans, according to a decision communicated this Monday (31) by the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Cerd).
The body gave a specific interpretation on the topic, which should be used in legal actions for reparations in different countries. The Cerd formalized the understanding through General Recommendation No. 40, which was approved last week.
In the document, the Committee states that “States parties must implement comprehensive reparation measures for people of African descent, which cover all aspects of reparations”. Also according to Cerd, reparatory justice must integrate “a wide range of measures of a monetary, non-monetary and structural nature”.
The Cerd is made up of 18 independent human rights experts, serving to monitor the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in 1965, which has been in force since 1969.
The convention has 182 countries, including those mentioned. Part of them is made up of colonizing powers. Regarding this week’s decision, Liberian lawyer Pela Boker-Wilson, who makes up Cerd, told AFP that the new interpretation expands the need for historical reparation, converting it into a legal obligation. “Facing historical injustices cannot be dissociated from the fight against current racial discrimination,” said the jurist.
The recommendation, however, is not binding. Even so, countries are obliged to adopt active measures to restore justice to people of African descent who are still directly or indirectly affected by the historical consequences of colonization.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
