UN human rights chief says reparations key to dismantling systemic racism

On 2026-04-14, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk spoke at the fifth session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in New York. He said reparatory justice for colonialism, enslavement and the trade in enslaved Africans is key to dismantling systemic racism, and urged Member States to adopt anti-racism laws, include civil society, and maintain momentum toward reparatory justice.