25 March 2025, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN General Assembly Commemorative Plenary on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
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Mr President of the General Assembly, Mr Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine*,* the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.
For nearly 20 years, the UN has been marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. And it is exactly 10 years ago today that the ‘Ark of Return’ was unveiled as a permanent memorial, to honour the victims of slavery and their descendants and as a symbol of the equality of all human beings. The transatlantic slave trade remains an unparalleled tragedy, which lasted for over three centuries and involved unspeakable atrocities, affecting millions of Africans.
The wrongs of the past cannot be undone. But we can learn from them and try to redress their enduring effects by removing barriers and tackling disparities, which still hinder equal participation in all spheres of society by the descendants of those affected.
We need to continue to shed light on the history of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, as well as their causes, devastating consequences and long-lasting impacts.
As we embark on this 2nd International Decade for People of African Descent, let us renew our commitment to implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
Still today, despite prohibition, slavery and slavery-like practices – in the form of trafficking of persons and other forms of modern slavery – persist and constitute flagrant, daily violations of human rights.
The EU is committed to eradicating these abhorrent practices, and works to support of fighting slavery in all its forms, through both legal frameworks and policies. The EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights enshrines the right to human dignity with the prohibition of slavery, forced labour and trafficking in human beings.
In December 2024 the EU Regulation on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour entered into force. It prohibits the use of forced labour in the production of goods and within supply chains. It also allows the EU to remove a product from the single market if it is shown to involve forced labour, regardless of whether it is produced within the EU or imported into the EU.
The EU Anti-Racism Coordinator also plays a crucial role in the European Union’s efforts to fight against racial discrimination, alongside the full and meaningful participation of civil society.
And just last week, like every year, the EU hosted a week for Anti-Racism and Diversity, with the theme ‘Reimagine Racial Justice’.
The European Union remains committed to eliminating all forms of modern slavery, and building a just and equal society for all, where dignity and human rights are respected and protected.
Thank you.
* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.