A/HRC/54/67 64. Mr. Hughes drew attention to misconceptions about reparations, emphasizing that they went beyond financial compensation and were a moral, ethical and political imperative. He stressed the need for careful analysis and application of reparatory justice, urging individuals and communities to gather data, understand their history and be prepared to administer reparations. 65. In emphasizing that calls for reparations were not exclusive to people of African descent, Ms. Enyia provided examples from around the world, such as demands for reparations in Poland, climate catastrophes in Pakistan and the proposal for reparations for Ukraine. Ms. Enyia emphasized that reparations had become a growing global phenomenon and discussed various initiatives and declarations, including the Accra Declaration on Reparations and Healing and the work being done by the Global Circle for Reparations and Healing. She mentioned engagements with religious institutions, including the Roman Catholic Church, and efforts to develop a common position and agenda for healing between Africa and the African diaspora. Ms. Enyia also highlighted discussions on African monetary and economic sovereignty and the push for a reframing of the global economic order. 66. Esther Ojulari, a consultant on human rights and displacement, shared the evolution of the reparations movement in Colombia and its significance for the global reparations movement. The case for reparations in Colombia included addressing historic crimes, the physical and psychological damage caused and the economic disparities resulting from slavery and ongoing racial violence. She mentioned the country’s transitional justice experience and the importance of memory, truth and non-repetition in reparations efforts. Ms. Ojulari also discussed the recent election of the first Black female Vice-President in Colombia, who had prioritized reparations and strengthening relations with Africa. 67. Ms. D’Costa pointed to the way in which rhetoric and sophisticated language around reparations could sometimes create new forms of exclusion. She referenced the example of Pakistan using environmental justice and reparations in the global lobby, despite not having paid any reparations or expressed apologies for past genocides and the marginalization of the Siddi community of African descent. She also mentioned the strong reparations movements in the Asia-Pacific region, such as the discussions in Japan on reparations for the Second World War and the rejection of financial compensation by “comfort women” who demanded an apology first. 68. Ms. Reynolds remarked on the importance of addressing the complicity of some African chiefs in the enslavement of peoples of African descent. She underscored the need to remove this obstacle in order to focus on the real perpetrators of slavery. Additionally, she highlighted the need to address non-European, non-former colonizer Governments and religions that perpetuated racial discrimination and modern-day slavery. 69. The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela emphasized the importance of collective reparations, seeking the reconstruction of people’s social, cultural and territorial fabric, as well as their psychosocial recovery from the effects of slavery and modern-day discrimination. The representative called for clear mechanisms to recognize the harm done, design compensation policies and prevent future repetition. 70. The representative of South Africa noted that some States argued against paying reparations by claiming that their actions during colonialism were not illegal under international law. However, there were no laws stating that these actions were legal either. Domestic laws were created to evade prosecution for their actions, including land appropriation, enslavement and genocide. The speaker criticized the inconsistency of those States, as they would pay reparations for genocidal actions in Europe, while using their own domestic laws to justify their actions elsewhere in the world. 71. A civil society representative discussed the need for reparations and restitution for colonial activities carried out by Belgium in the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. Emphasizing the importance of action rather than mere apologies, the speaker called for the return of stolen art and cultural objects. Environmental justice, racial justice and climate justice in achieving historical reparations for Afro-Latin American people and the protection of African descendants who were climate and environmental migrants was emphasized. A legally binding instrument was requested to 12 GE.23-12890