UK slavery reparations must be top issue at Commonwealth summit, says former Caribbean leader
Leaders cannot ignore support for reparations resolution this November, says St Vincent and Grenadines ex-PM
TL;DR
- Ralph Gonsalves believes reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade should be a central issue at the next Commonwealth leaders’ meeting.
- He stated it would be "inconceivable" for the summit to ignore the strong momentum towards a reparations resolution.
- Gonsalves noted the UK's past resistance to including reparations on the agenda.
- Several events are planned across the Caribbean, Africa, and the UK to build support for reparations, including a conference in Ghana and updates to Caricom's 10-point plan.
- The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is renaming Nelson Island to honor indentured Indian immigrants, highlighting an "unjust and inhumane system" of human trafficking.
- Caricom has backed Jamaica's petition to King Charles for legal advice on reparations.
- Gonsalves hopes King Charles will support the call for reparations, seeing it as a progressive direction for the Commonwealth.