Commonwealth heads of government are preparing to advance discussions on reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade, despite the United Kingdom’s insistence that the topic is not on the agenda for the upcoming summit in Samoa. The meeting, which begins on Friday, will bring together leaders from 56 Commonwealth countries.
While Downing Street has publicly downplayed the matter, diplomatic sources indicate that officials are negotiating a framework to explore reparatory justice, which could have significant financial implications for the UK. The discussions could lead to calls for reparations amounting to billions of pounds.
Frederick Mitchell, the Foreign Minister of the Bahamas, commented on the evolving dialogue, stating, “Once you broach the subject it may take a while for people to come around, but come around they will.” He emphasized that reparatory justice could manifest in various forms, including financial compensation, debt relief, official apologies, educational initiatives, and public health support.
A draft communique from the summit reflects a consensus among heads of government, acknowledging the need for “meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation” regarding the impacts of the slave trade. The document highlights the Commonwealth’s shared historical experiences related to the “abhorrent trade” and calls for enhanced research into the transatlantic trade and chattel slavery.
While British officials attempted to limit references to reparations in the communique, they have had to concede to three paragraphs detailing the Commonwealth’s stance on the issue. The UK government has been criticized for its reluctance to engage in discussions surrounding reparatory justice, with some Caribbean ministers expressing frustration over Downing Street’s position.
The UK government spokesperson reiterated that reparations are not part of the agenda for the summit, stating, “We are focused on using the summit to discuss shared opportunities across the Commonwealth.”
However, the conversation around reparations is gaining momentum, particularly in light of a recent report from the University of West Indies that estimates the UK’s reparations debt to be over £18 trillion for its involvement in the slave trade across 14 Caribbean nations.
During a visit to the Bahamas, Prime Minister Philip Davis urged UK officials to recognize the enduring impact of slavery, asserting, “The word is apologise, that’s the word.”
As the summit approaches, there are growing calls from Commonwealth leaders for the UK to not only apologize but also to address the historical injustices associated with its colonial past. With discussions expected to continue beyond this year’s summit, reparatory justice may become a focal point for future meetings, particularly the next Commonwealth summit scheduled for two years from now in the Caribbean.
King Charles is set to formally open the summit, following his recent expressions of sorrow regarding colonial wrongdoings. However, the UK’s reluctance to embrace reparations reflects a broader divide among Commonwealth nations, with some advocating for immediate reparative measures while others prefer to focus on current challenges like climate change.
As the dialogue unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Commonwealth will navigate these complex discussions and the implications for UK relations with its former colonies.
