In San Juan, Puerto Rico, Caribbean leaders met with senior clergy from the Church of England, focusing on reparations for slavery. Activists are also seeking independence for British, French, Dutch, and U.S. territories in the region. The Caricom reparations commission plans discussions with British parliamentarians as part of a four-day visit to the UK. This marks their second visit since November.
Chairman Hilary Beckles, from Caricom’s reparations commission, emphasized the urgent need for reparatory justice. He pointed out that the Caribbean remains heavily colonized. Recent comments from a UK lawmaker suggesting former colonies repay Britain for historical investments have frustrated Caribbean leaders. Beckles urged attention to issues of sovereignty and reparatory justice.
Barbados’ ambassador to Caricom, David Comissiong, highlighted that true reparations begin with national sovereignty recovery. He described a positive meeting with Church of England clerics, viewing them as potential allies. Comissiong acknowledged King Charles III’s expressions of sorrow over slavery’s impact but criticized the UK for abstaining in a U.N. resolution for reparations.
The March U.N. resolution labeled the trafficking of enslaved Africans a grave crime against humanity. Although the resolution saw abstention from EU members, Argentina, Israel, and the United States voted against it. Some European countries have offered gestures like apologies, memorials, and institutes. However, Comissiong pointed out these are not substitutes for negotiation.
Approximately 12 million Africans were forcibly taken to be enslaved in the Caribbean and other regions. Brutal conditions awaited those surviving the transatlantic journey. Commissioners, speaking at a London press event, set the stage for upcoming parliamentary discussions.
The question about reparations distribution remains unresolved in the Caribbean. However, Ron Daniels of the National African-American Reparations Commission mentioned the U.S. focus on land, economic development, and infrastructure. Caricom leaders seek formal apologies, educational and public health improvements, Indigenous programs, debt relief, and monetary compensation.
Jamaica’s government plans to file a petition in early September, asking King Charles III to address legal issues regarding slavery reparations before the Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest court of appeal.