GENEVA, 9 October 2026 — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for broader reparatory justice to address the continuing effects of enslavement and colonialism on Africans and people of African descent.
Speaking at a high-level dialogue in Geneva on 8 October, Türk said historic systems of domination still influence access to opportunity, security and power.
He highlighted discrimination in employment, housing, education and healthcare, and warned that artificial intelligence could reproduce existing biases and deepen racial inequalities.
Türk stressed that reparatory justice extends beyond financial compensation. Measures can include apologies, truth-seeking, memorials, the return of cultural artefacts, education and support for intergenerational trauma.
He urged stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and targeted investment to remove barriers to essential services. Africans and people of African descent, particularly women, should shape these efforts.
The UN rights chief also called for changes to international financial arrangements, including relief from unsustainable debt and a stronger African voice in decision-making. OHCHR has issued explainers to support practical reparatory measures.
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Featured image: illustrative stock photograph, not an image of the reported event. Photo by Markus Spiske / Unsplash.