Oct 27, 2024 Story by: Editor
The BBC has reported that Commonwealth leaders are gearing up to explore reparatory justice related to the transatlantic slave trade, a move that challenges the United Kingdom’s stance. Despite Downing Street’s assertion that the issue is not on the official agenda for the Commonwealth summit in Samoa, diplomatic sources reveal ongoing negotiations to conduct further research and initiate “meaningful conversations” about reparatory justice—an area that could see the UK potentially facing claims worth billions.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Frederick Mitchell, the foreign minister of the Bahamas, remarked, “Once you broach the subject it may take a while for people to come around, but come around they will.” Reparations, he suggested, could take various forms, from financial compensation and debt relief to educational programs, museums, economic support, and public health initiatives.
The draft communique for the summit, shared with the BBC, outlines a commitment by Commonwealth leaders to engage in “a meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.” The document highlights a shared historical experience among member states regarding the transatlantic slave trade and “chattel enslavement” and calls for additional research to support these dialogues. British officials managed to prevent a separate declaration on reparatory justice, though the UK will need to accept the inclusion of extensive language addressing the Commonwealth’s stance.
Efforts to expand the reparations discussion include addressing the exploitation of Pacific Islanders, a form of coerced labor known as “blackbirding.” The communique emphasizes that several Commonwealth nations experienced similar atrocities across both the Atlantic and Pacific trades.
Caribbean countries, especially, have been vocal about seeking an apology and reparations from the UK, with recent calls for compensation reaching trillions of pounds. A report by the University of West Indies, backed by International Court of Justice judge Patrick Robinson, found that the UK could owe over £18 trillion in reparations to 14 Caribbean nations. Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Bahamas recently emphasized this stance during a visit by Foreign Office minister Baroness Chapman, stressing that the “fight for reparations was far from over.”
Frederick Mitchell stated on Today, “The word is ‘apologize,’ that’s the word.” He added, “It can be done, one sentence, one line.” Mitchell explained that reparations are about respect and acknowledging past wrongs while noting resistance even to initiate discussions on the matter.
The UK government remains firm in its position, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stating that the calls for reparations had been “heard loud and clear,” yet asserting that Prime Minister Starmer was “right” to focus on future issues. A government spokesperson confirmed that reparations are not officially on the summit agenda, adding, “We are focused on using the summit to discuss shared opportunities across the Commonwealth—including securing more economic growth.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who arrived in Samoa on Wednesday, shared with reporters that his focus would be on contemporary challenges, particularly climate change, rather than historical issues. “That’s where I’m going to put my focus—rather than what will end up being very, very long endless discussions about reparations on the past,” he said. Although he condemned the atrocities of slavery, he explained, “I’d rather roll up my sleeves and work with them on current future-facing challenges.”
King Charles, arriving in Samoa for a four-day visit, will formally open the summit. Last year, during a visit to Kenya, he expressed “greatest sorrow and regret” over colonial wrongdoings, but he stopped short of an apology.
Support for the UK’s position comes from some non-Caribbean Commonwealth countries, who prefer focusing on pressing issues like climate change, affecting many small island states. However, Caribbean nations remain steadfast in keeping reparatory justice on the agenda.
The three candidates vying for the Commonwealth secretary-general position—Shirley Botchwey of Ghana, Joshua Setipa of Lesotho, and Mamadou Tangara of Gambia—have each voiced support for reparatory justice. The British government and monarchy had a prominent role in the slave trade, though Britain also contributed to its abolition with the 1833 Act to abolish slavery.
Former UK ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, told BBC Radio 4’s World At One, “It would be quite wrong in principle to pay reparations for something that happened hundreds of years ago.” He raised questions about who would be eligible, suggesting West African countries, Caribbean nations, or even the Windrush generation could be considered.
Labour MP Clive Lewis believes the UK should initiate reparations conversations with Commonwealth leaders, adding, “We can do better by them.” His colleague Dawn Butler also voiced support, arguing that reparations are “the right thing to do,” noting that British slave owners received £20 million in compensation, a sum equivalent to £100 billion today. Source: BBC
