President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Ambassador Omar Zniber, called for joint efforts to dismantle the structures of oppression and inequality that perpetuate the cycle of poverty, discrimination and violence, in tribute to the victims of slavery.
Speaking at the Palais des Nations on the occasion of International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Zniber noted that HRC members 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 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,” he stated.
“We must therefore recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice, equality and human dignity for all”, he noted, stressing the need to acknowledge the suffering of the descendants of those who suffered under the yoke of slavery and the TransAtlantic slave trade.
Members of the HRC must confront the painful truths of the 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, he continued.
“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,” Zniber added, noting that this is an opportunity to “honor the memory of the millions of men, women, and children who suffered unimaginable horrors at the hands of their oppressors.”
The diplomat also commended the collective awareness and the determined commitment of the HRC 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.
As President of the Council, Zniber pledged to continue his efforts during his 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,” he concluded.
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