AASU On The International Day Of Remembrance Of The Victims Of Slavery And Transatlantic Slave Trade-March 25
Every year around the world on March 25, people striving for democracy, peace and justice commemorate the memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The day was declared by the United Nations in its resolution 62/122 of 17th December 2007 as- the International Day for Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade.
This year the commemoration is under the theme: “Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and Roots”.
For over 400 years more than 15 million of African men, women and children were the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, one of the gloomy periods in human history. From 1501 to 1830 indeed the largest forced migration and one of the most inhumane in recorded history took place through the transatlantic slave trade. The Europeans, slave traders, captured Africans from the coasts of the continent and sent them on cramped ships at ports in South America and the Caribbean Islands.
The aftermath of that unprecedented brutal slavery system is not only the untold sufferings the victims had undergone and the number of dead but also the psychological traumas and other negative effects on current and generations yet to be born.
For this reason and others the UN resolution called for the establishment of an outreach programs to mobilize educational institutions, civil society and other organizations to inculcate in future generations the “causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade and to communicate the dangers of racism and prejudices.”
The paradox is the perpetrators of that ignoble human trade unprecedented in the annals of recorded history are the ones at the helm of world affairs today dictating in their interests the socio-economic, cultural and political paths that everybody must follow.
The democratic forces around the world in particular the Africans must rise to this challenge. The survival of Africa today lies on selfless and visionary leaders ready to integrate the African countries politically, socially and economically amongst others in order the create a powerful unified continent capable of facing any challenge.
The All Africa Students Union (AASU) calls on all its member and friendly organizations to commemorate this Day and every other day to fight racism, prejudice and the unjust international economic relations;
AASU calls on African leaders through the African Union (AU) to steadfastly integrate the continent through speaking with one voice, defending and promoting the rights and interests of their citizenry.
Down with racism and prejudice!
All for African Unity!
AWAAH FRED
(Secretary General)
[email protected]/[email protected]/+233
(0)243101626