Commonwealth leaders reach consensus for a dialogue on slave trade reparations
- In Reports
- 05:50 PM, Oct 26, 2024
- Myind Staff
At a two-day summit in Samoa, Commonwealth leaders decided that the "time has come" for a discussion on slave trade reparations, even as the UK wanted to avoid discussing the subject. In a statement, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 56 other heads of state accepted calls for "discussions on reparatory justice" for the "abhorrent" transatlantic slave trade.
A "meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation" is needed, according to the statement. According to Sir Keir, the UK is "very clear" in its position that it would not make reparations and there had been no conversations regarding money during the meeting. Leaders from the Commonwealth have increasingly urged the UK to apologise and provide reparations for its historical involvement in the slave trade. These reparations could be in various forms, including financial compensation or symbolic gestures, aimed at helping those who were affected by slavery.
Downing Street has stated that the matter will not be discussed at the summit. During a press conference on Saturday, Sir Keir scaled back the importance of reparations at the meeting and claimed that Commonwealth leaders had a "positive two days" in Samoa. "The dominant theme of the two days has been resilience and climate," he said, adding that the section of the joint statement discussing reparations amounts to "one paragraph in 20-something paragraphs".
"None of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear in relation to that," he said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC last week that the UK would not make restitution for slavery. Before the statement was made, a meeting took place where Commonwealth prime ministers and presidents gathered without their advisers for about six hours. The prime minister mentioned that the lengthy discussion was not due to the topic of reparations.
One Downing Street source told the BBC: "We’ve been clear on our position and it’s not changing." Some countries have expressed their views on reparations leading up to the summit, which has annoyed others who are actively campaigning for it. A significant part of diplomacy involves maintaining discussions about important topics, even if real change seems unlikely. For those who believe it's time for countries like the UK to acknowledge their histories, the statement indicates that the discussion is still ongoing.
"For the UK and similar nations can maintain that their stance remains the same, while highlighting various other issues—such as trade, climate change, and security—that they believe the Commonwealth serves as an important platform for. Nonetheless, the prime minister seemed to suggest that there might be a chance to discuss reparatory justice further, mentioning that the "next opportunity to look at this" would be at the UK-Caribbean forum.
Bahamas Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell stated that leaders intended to produce a "comprehensive report" on the matter at the conference, which will take place in London in March of next year. He expressed his expectation that the UK would eventually make monetary reparations to Caribbean nations on BBC Radio 4's Today program. Challenged on whether the wording of the joint statement was too vague, he said, "Behind the language is an attempt to go in a particular direction."
Diplomats have indicated that reparatory justice will likely be a key topic at the upcoming Commonwealth summit in two years. A UN judge mentioned last year that the UK may owe over £18 trillion in reparations due to its involvement in slavery across 14 Caribbean nations. Reparatory justice could also include actions like issuing a formal apology, creating educational programs, or providing public health support.
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