Free Republic

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has declared reparations are due now to compensate for the trans-Atlantic slave trade as a way to tackle “its legacy” in today’s society, including “systemic racism and white supremacy.” In a statement to mark the U.N. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery, Guterres said the past “laid the foundations for a violent discrimination system based on white supremacy.” “We call for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination,” Guterres said.

JOHN Howard has defended his decision to bypass the United Nations to donate $1 billion directly to Indonesia. As Australian officials began the task of preparing arrangements for a new joint commission to oversee the five-year aid program, Mr Howard said the deal would fast-track assistance to where it was required most. "I'm not trying to sidestep anybody. I'm just trying to make sure that this huge amount of Australian assistance is delivered in the most effective way and the most effective way is a joint commission," Mr Howard said. "The UN has an important role but nothing can take...