October 25th 2024.
Britain's leaders are about to face some tough questions about reparations for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This issue will likely be brought to the forefront at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa by Caribbean leaders. Despite British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's previous statement that compensation for slavery would not be discussed at the summit, it seems that the issue will still be a major topic of conversation, making for a potentially uncomfortable situation for both Starmer and King Charles III, who is currently battling cancer but still attending the event.
The Commonwealth group, made up of 56 nations, has a history of tackling difficult issues that others have shied away from. When asked about the possibility of discussing financial reparations at the summit, the organisation's Secretary-General Patricia Scotland told The Associated Press that they have not shied away from tough topics in the past. However, she did not confirm reports from the BBC that a draft statement to be issued by leaders at the end of the summit will include an acknowledgement of calls for "reparatory justice" for the slave trade.
According to a study by the University of West Indies, the UK owes £18 trillion in reparations to 14 Caribbean nations for its involvement in slavery. While the Commonwealth leaders were meeting in Samoa, the British finance minister, Rachel Reeve, stated at an International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington DC that the UK economy could not afford to pay reparations. However, this stance is not likely to stop some Commonwealth leaders from pressing their claims against the UK.
Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis believes that the summit should be a "come to Jesus moment" where leaders can have an honest and open discussion about what happened during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. He confirmed that he is among the leaders who want the final joint communique to mention reparations and who hope to have a frank discussion with Starmer about the matter. While a few nations have issued apologies for their role in slavery, the UK has never formally apologized for its involvement, despite its abolishment of the slave trade in 1807 and emancipation of slaves in its territories in 1833.
The British government had previously stated that reparations would not be on the agenda for the Commonwealth summit, but they are now acknowledging that the issue may be mentioned in the final communique. Starmer is not the only one who may have preferred to avoid discussing this sensitive topic. The presence of King Charles III at the summit could also raise uncomfortable questions about the role of the British crown in the histories and aspirations of its former territories.
Recently, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines for her protest against the King at Parliament House, where she shouted "give us our land back" and "not your land" during his speech. While King Charles and his son have expressed sorrow over slavery, they have not acknowledged the crown's involvement in the trade. However, last year, the King did support an investigation into the monarchy's ties to the industry.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
