Fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Background
Reparatory justice for the enslavement and trafficking in Africans across the Atlantic between 1501 and 1867, subsequent colonization and ensuing diverse forms of segregation is a priority for all Africans and people of African descent. Separated from their families, their communities and their cultures, millions lost their liberty, their identity, their religion, as they were physically, sexually, and psychologically abused, subjected to degrading and dehumanizing treatment, too many for the rest of their lives. They left families and communities that were torn apart, fearful, and scarred physically, materially, and psychologically. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998) claims jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, including those of enslavement, forcible transfer of population, torture, apartheid and other inhumane acts among crimes against humanity.

Reparatory justice is grounded in principles of natural justice. It is the right of remedy for any person or people subjected to harm. Reparations have been provided to victims and their descendants of the Holocaust, Japanese internment, apartheid, and forced sterilization. In recent years, there has been discussion of reparations for Ukrainians following the conflict with Russia. General Assembly Resolution 60/147 of December 2005, Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, recalling the provision of Article 75 of the Rome Statute among others, outlines the parameters for reparations including that statutes of limitations shall not apply to gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law which constitute crimes under international law (Section IV). There seems, therefore, the legal basis for the pursuit of reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent for the enslavement, trafficking, colonization and various forms of apartheid to which they have been since 1501.

While there have been sporadic, and increasingly more concrete reparatory initiatives, in several countries, many of which at the instigation of civil society, they fall far short of a comprehensive, proportionate response – in scope, reach and depth – for the harm done to Africans and people of African descent. The perpetrators of enslavement, colonization and various forms of segregation of Africans and people of African descent were largely states and/or their governments, often with the full endorsement and blessing of religious autocracies and with the complicity of large commercial enterprises. History shows that the resistance and rebellion against these forms of oppression emanated from civil society, whether organized, spontaneous or at the prompting of indomitable individuals. Civil society has been at the forefront of raising awareness, informing and educating the public, and mobilizing material resources. Individually and collectively, civil society has played the role of activist, advocate and agitator, pushing governments and others to recognize, acknowledge and even take steps to apologise and offer redress for historical wrongs. Contemporary initiatives are being led by both governments and by civil society. This panel examines the role of civil society in the pursuit of reparatory justice, identifying gaps, lessons learned and the way forward in contemporary efforts, cutting across community, national and global efforts.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes of the Discussion
Panelists and participants are expected to share their perceptions and perspectives on

•The role(s) that civil society should play in the pursuit of reparatory justice;
•The ways and means to enable and empower the agency of civil society;
•The limits on and limitations of civil society;
•The comparative and/or competitive advantage of civil society; and,
•The complementarity between civil society and government.

The insights, suggestions and recommendations of this discussion will be shared widely to engender a much needed debate, discussion and discourse about the complementary roles of various actors at the international level. These insights will feed into the Working Group’s report to the Human Rights Council and 3rd Committee of the General Assembly, as well as to incentivize similar conversations across the globe about what can be done, what is being done, and what ought to be done to maximise efforts for reparatory justice in the 21st Century. It builds on thousands of conversation across the globe since the slave ships docked in the beautiful ports of West Africa centuries ago. It is a reflection of the inherent resilience of Africans and people of African descent and is a testimony to the resistance and rebellion that secured the end of the slave trade, colonization and multiple forms of segregation, and the foundation for the challenges still ahead to right these egregious historical wrongs.

About the Event
This event takes place on April 16, 2025, 13:15 – 14:30, in the margins of the 4th Session of the Permanent Forum on people of African descent in person in Room CRE. There will be five or six panelists who will respond to a series of questions, with comments and questions from participants. The observations and conclusions from the event will inform the Working Group’s ongoing work on reparatory justice.

About the Panelists
Georgia Boon
Director of Planning and Engagement
Church Commission for England
Georgia has spent over twenty-five years working in the third sector, primarily in supporter-facing and income generating roles focused on strategy, partnerships and planning. Her particular specialism is in working with stakeholders in co-design and co-creation. She is Programme Director for the Church Commissioners for England’s work to respond to links with African chattel enslavement.

Amb David Comissiong
Ambassador of Barbados to Caribbean Community
David Comissiong is the Barbados Ambassador to CARICOM. He is the former head of the Barbadian government’s Commission for Pan-African Affairs and the founder of the Clement Payne Movement. A vocal critic of imperial hegemony in the region, Ambassador Comissiong is one of the most important Pan-Africanists in contemporary Caribbean politics.

Dr Bina D'Costa
Chairperson/Rapporteur - UN WGEPAD
Professor - International RElations, Australia National University
Bina D’Costa is the current Chair of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. She is a Professor at the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University. She has published many essays and seven books, including ‘Nation-building, Gender and War Crimes in South Asia’ & ‘Children and the Politics of Violence’. Bina previously led UNICEF’s migration and displacement program at UNICEF Office of Research focussing on the Horn of Africa, East Africa, Jordan, Lebanon, EU refugee emergency and on the surge mission in the Rohingya emergency. She has advised the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, OHCHR, International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh, and various civil society justice initiatives in Asia.

Dr Justice Alfred Mavedzenge
Programs Director: Africa Judges & Jurists Forum (AJJF)
Adjunct Senior Lecturer of Public