The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has welcomed the adoption of the Global Framework for Reparatory Justice, describing it as a historic milestone in the quest for justice, dignity and redress for the enduring consequences of slavery, colonialism, apartheid and the exploitation of Africa and people of African descent.
Framework Adopted at High-Level Conference in Accra
In a statement issued from Lomé, Togo, ITUC-Africa’s General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, said the framework, adopted at the High-Level “Next Steps” Conference in Accra, Ghana, represents a significant step toward addressing historical injustices that continue to shape economic and social realities across Africa and the diaspora. According to the organisation, the adoption of the 19-point framework comes at a defining moment following a recent United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crime against humanity.
Concrete Measures Needed Beyond Acknowledgment
ITUC-Africa noted that the framework reflects growing international recognition that acknowledging historical wrongs is no longer sufficient and that concrete measures are needed to remedy their lasting effects. “For African workers, reparatory justice is not only about the past. It is about confronting the present realities of structural inequality, underdevelopment, debt burdens, illicit financial flows, economic dependency and persistent racial discrimination that continue to constrain opportunities for working people across Africa and the diaspora,” the statement said.
Historical Exploitation and Present Realities
The labour organisation argued that wealth extracted through slavery and colonialism contributed significantly to the prosperity of some nations while leaving many African countries grappling with poverty, exclusion and developmental challenges. ITUC-Africa expressed support for the framework’s calls for formal apologies, restitution of cultural heritage, equitable compensation, debt relief and institutional reforms. It also welcomed proposals aimed at establishing international mechanisms to ensure implementation and accountability.
Call for Global Action and Integration
The organisation urged governments, international institutions, employers and social partners to engage constructively in advancing the reparatory justice agenda. It stressed that reparatory justice should be integrated into broader efforts to promote economic democracy, social justice, decent work and sustainable development across the African continent and beyond. “The time has come for the international community to move from recognition to action,” Odigie stated.
The Global Framework for Reparatory Justice was adopted during the landmark conference in Accra, bringing together stakeholders committed to advancing discussions on redress for historical injustices and their contemporary consequences.
