A Kenyan legal scholar and Advocate of the High Court, Kemboi Gilbert, has issued a powerful call for global accountability and reparatory justice over the transatlantic slave trade, describing it as “one of the most egregious atrocities and systematic violations of human rights in the history of mankind.”
Speaking during an exclusive interview with an international media outlet based in Moscow, Russia, Kemboi aligned himself with the position advanced by the Ghana at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing that the historical injustice of slavery demands more than symbolic acknowledgment.
He noted that the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned over four centuries, led to the forced displacement of more than twelve million Africans and was marked by “brutality, commodification of human beings, destruction of families and the deliberate erasure of identity, culture and dignity.”
Kemboi stressed that such actions meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity under modern international law, pointing out that global frameworks, including outcomes of the Durban World Conference against Racism, have already recognized slavery and the slave trade as such.
However, he cautioned that recognition without action falls short.
“Acknowledgment alone is insufficient. The enduring legacy of slavery continues to manifest in structural inequalities, racial discrimination, economic disparities and social injustices affecting people of African descent across the world,” he stated.
Drawing from his legal background, Kemboi underscored that principles of justice, equity and the rule of law demand a transition from historical recognition to tangible remedies.
He made a compelling case for reparatory justice, outlining that it should encompass “restitution, compensation, rehabilitation and guarantees of non-repetition.”
At the continental level, he expressed strong support for the position of the African Union, which has been at the forefront of advocating for structured global dialogue on reparations.
He emphasized that any such process must be firmly anchored in international human rights law and backed by genuine political will from member states.
Kemboi further highlighted the importance of education and historical preservation in confronting the legacy of slavery.
He cited key heritage sites such as Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle as enduring symbols of remembrance that should continue to serve as global centers for learning and reflection.
“The pursuit of justice for the victims of slavery is not about revisiting the past with bitterness, but about shaping a future grounded in truth, accountability and equality,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming his support for Ghana’s call for international recognition and reparatory action, urging the global community to commit to restoring dignity to those historically wronged and dismantling entrenched systems of inequality.
“Let this Assembly reaffirm its commitment to upholding human dignity and ensuring that such atrocities never find expression in our shared future,” he added.
Kemboi Gilbert is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a member of the Law Society of Kenya and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Nairobi.
