The European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, has defended the bloc’s decision to abstain from Ghana’s United Nations resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity, insisting the move was based on legal drafting concerns rather than disagreement with the broader historical and moral argument.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Saturday, March 28, Skinnebach said the EU remains firmly aligned with the view that slavery and the transatlantic slave trade rank among the most horrific atrocities in human history.
However, he explained that the specific wording of the resolution created legal concerns for the bloc.
“We were amongst the 52 who abstained instead of the 123 that voted in favour, it is because of a couple of issues in the actual text and not so much on the substance.” - European Union Ambassador to Ghana
‘Among the gravest crimes’
According to the ambassador, the EU’s main objection was to language in the resolution describing the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime” against humanity. He argued that such phrasing creates difficulties in international legal interpretation.
“I think that what our experts in New York suggested is that the ranking of heinous crimes against humanity is legally not making sense.” - European Union Ambassador to Ghana
He added that while the EU could not support that exact wording, it does not diminish the seriousness with which the bloc views the historical injustice.
“So to qualify the slave trade or the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crime is not a language that we can subscribe to. We would certainly agree that it is amongst the gravest crimes.” - European Union Ambassador to Ghana
Ghana-led motion wins broad backing
The resolution, tabled by Ghana on Wednesday, March 25, sought to rally the international community around reparatory justice for African nations and descendants of enslaved people.
It called for structured global dialogue and practical steps to address the enduring social, economic and cultural consequences of slavery.
Despite divisions over wording and implementation, the motion secured significant support at the UN General Assembly, passing with 123 votes in favour. Three countries — the United States, Argentina and Israel — voted against it, while 52 abstained.
The EU’s explanation adds another layer to the growing global debate over slavery, remembrance and reparative justice.
While the abstention may disappoint some advocates, Skinnebach’s remarks suggest that disagreement lies more in legal framing than in recognition of the slave trade’s historic brutality.
As calls for reparations gain traction, the conversation is increasingly shifting from remembrance to what justice should look like in practical terms.
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