加纳总统 John Dramani Mahama 先生呼吁彻底改变对奴隶制历史的认知方式，敦促国际社会将其认定为危害人类罪，同时恢复受影响群体的尊严。

3 月下旬，总统在联合国总部举行的奴隶制问题活动上发表讲话时强调，语言在塑造观念和推动行动方面具有强大力量。

"鉴于语言能够塑造意识与观念，并推动行动或无为，我愿以这个真相作为起点：世上本无 '奴隶'，只有被贩运、被奴役的人类同胞，而施暴者竟妄图将他们视为财产。" 他阐述道。

总统指出，这种表述差异绝非文字游戏，而是承认跨大西洋奴隶贸易受害者人性的关键所在。

"或许有人认为这并无不同，但事实绝非如此 -- 尤其当我们要捍卫每个人与生俱来的人性与尊严时。" 他补充道。

Mahama 总统进一步揭示，奴隶制度是建立在虚假种族等级论基础上、蓄意剥夺非洲人人性的体系。

"整个跨大西洋奴隶贸易的构建，都基于毫无事实与科学依据的种族等级谎言，它通过贬低一个种族来虚假抬高另一个种族，从而系统化地剥夺非洲人的人权。" 他严正强调。

总统剖析道，奴隶制时期的暴行与后续不公之所以能够发生，根本在于被奴役的非洲人始终被物化对待。

"当活生生的人被异化为物品，种种暴虐便有了滋生的土壤。因此我们探讨奴隶制及其遗毒时，必须从重建种族平等、恢复非洲人及其后裔尊严开始。" 他如是说。

谈及国际社会通过决议正式认定奴隶制为反人类罪的重要意义时，总统称之为实现全球共识与正义的关键步骤。

"这项决议将让世界共同见证：四百年来，超过 1250 万男女老幼被夺走家园、身份、亲情、梦想与未来。" 他沉痛表示。

总统最后强调，唯有诚实直面这段历史，才能在实现正义、疗愈创伤方面取得实质进展，才能真正应对奴隶制遗留的深远影响。

We Need to Reclaim Dignity and Humanity of Africans – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama is calling for a fundamental shift in how the history of slavery is understood, urging the global community to recognise it as a crime against humanity while restoring the dignity of those affected.

Delivering remarks at a United Nations event on slavery at the United Nations Headquarters on March 24, Mahama emphasised the power of language in shaping perspectives and influencing action.

“With the power that words hold to shape consciousness and perspectives, and to propel action or inaction, I offer this truth as a starting point, there is no such thing as a slave. There were human beings who were trafficked and enslaved by others who believed they could own them as property,” he stated.

He explained that this distinction is not merely semantic, but essential in acknowledging the humanity of those who suffered under the transatlantic slave trade.

“Some may think this is the same thing, but it is not, especially if we are to recognise the humanity and dignity of every individual,” he added.

The President further noted that the system of slavery was deliberately constructed to deny Africans their humanity, rooted in a false racial hierarchy.

“The entire transatlantic slave trade was designed to strip African people of their humanity, premised on a racial hierarchy that falsely elevated one race while dehumanising another without any basis in fact or science,” he stressed.

He pointed out that the atrocities committed during slavery and the injustices that followed were made possible because enslaved Africans were treated as objects rather than human beings.

“These injustices occurred because human beings were reduced to objects. That is why, in discussing slavery and its legacy, we must begin by reclaiming racial equality and restoring the dignity of Africans and their descendants,” he said.

Touching on the importance of an international resolution to formally recognise slavery as a crime against humanity, President described it as a necessary step toward global acknowledgment and justice.

“Such a resolution allows the world to collectively bear witness to the suffering of more than 12.5 million men, women, and children whose homes, identities, families, dreams, and futures were taken from them over 400 years,” he noted.

He added that confronting this history honestly is essential to achieving justice, healing, and meaningful progress in addressing the enduring legacy of slavery.

来源：My Joy Online

文：Deborah Quarcoo 

翻译：无尽夏

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