00:00Countries have a legal obligation to consider reparations for the transatlantic slave trade,
00:06the forced transport of enslavement of millions of Africans, mainly in the Americas, over several centuries.
00:14That's according to a United Nations Committee, which says countries also have a duty to address the trade's lasting effects.
00:24The UN Committee on Racial Discrimination says reparations for people of African descent could include financial compensation as well as
00:33other forms of redress.
00:35It says this isn't just about who was responsible for the slave trade centuries ago.
00:40The committee says countries now have a legal duty to address its lasting effects, including racial discrimination.
00:49At least 12.5 million Africans were captured and sold into slavery between the 15th and 19th centuries.
00:57The UN describes it as the largest forced displacement in history.
01:03Some countries have rejected reparations claims in court, arguing that the slave trade was not illegal under international law at
01:10the time.
01:12But the UN Committee says countries still have responsibilities under international law today.
01:18And it says financial compensation alone won't be enough to deal with the slave trade's long-term consequences.
