Statement by Omar Zniber, President of the Human Rights Council, on International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Mr President of the African Group,
Excellencies and Esteemed colleagues,
Madam Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Madam Director-General of the UNOG
Distinguished guests,

As we gather here today on the solemn occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, we are called upon to reflect, to remember, and to reaffirm our commitment to human rights and justice for all.

This day serves as a poignant reminder of one of the darkest chapters in human history, a chapter stained by the brutality and inhumanity of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. It is a day to honor the memory of the millions of men, women, and children who suffered unimaginable horrors at the hands of their oppressors. A day to acknowledge the enduring legacy of trauma and injustice that continues to impact communities around the world.

While trapped in introspection, I am pleased to rise today to pay tribute to the early brave pioneers and those who paid a very high price in the combat against slavery and defense of freedom during those dire times. We will always be in awe and eternal remembrance for their sacrifice.

Yet, as we pay tribute to the victims of this heinous crime against humanity, we must also recognize that the echoes of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade reverberate through the halls of power, the corridors of injustice, and the structures of inequality that persist in our societies today.

We cannot forget that the legacy of slavery manifests itself in systemic racism, discrimination, and economic disparity that continue to marginalize and oppress communities of people of African descent and other marginalized groups.

We cannot ignore the enduring legacies of colonialism, subjugation and exploitation that continue to shape our today world.

We must therefore recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice, equality, and human dignity for all. We must acknowledge the need for the descendants of those who suffered under the yoke of slavery and the TransAtlantic slave trade. We must confront the painful truths of our past and work tirelessly to build a future where every individual is treated with dignity and respect for what they are and not what one would like them to be.

As members of the HRC, we have the responsibility to stand up for the rights of the oppressed, to advocate for justice, and to ensure that the voices of the marginalized are heard and respected. We must work together to dismantle the structures of oppression and inequality, that perpetuate the cycle of poverty, discrimination, and violence.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the 2015-2024 United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by the General Assembly on the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”. This decade is entirely consistent with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and the Durban Action Plan. 

I also wanted to commend the collective awareness and the determined commitment of the Human Rights Council to address the issue of racism through its mechanisms, especially the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance which played a key role in obtaining the recognition of this International Day and maintaining the momentum to the collective efforts.   

As President of the Council, I will continue my efforts during my term to highlight the importance of the link between human rights and development, particularly through the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. I will also do my utmost to instill dialogue and reflections around these important issues as a priority matter.

Mr President of the African Group,
Excellencies and Esteemed colleagues,
Madam Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Madame Director-General of the UNOG,
Distinguished guests,

Let us use this occasion as a catalyst for action, as a reminder of our shared humanity and re-commit ourselves to the principles of freedom, equality and justice for all.

I would like to conclude by giving heed to the words of Nelson Mandela, who said once, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”. So, let us honor the memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic trade by working together to build a world where freedom, equality, justice are our “raison d’être”.

Please rest assured that in Geneva, we will continue to gather every year to mark this International Day of Remembrance. We will also take steps to ensure that our discussions go beyond the Palais des Nations and give hope to all who continue to face racism or any other form of prejudice and discrimination in their lives.

Thank you.