King Charles called on Friday for the Commonwealth to confront its “painful” history, as African and Caribbean nations continue to press for reparations for Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
Delegates from 56 nations, most with roots in the British Empire, gathered in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where discussions on slavery and climate change took center stage.
“I understand from listening to voices across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” Charles said at the summit. “It is vital that we understand our history to help us make better choices for the future.”
The call for former colonial powers like Britain to provide reparations or take other accountability measures for the legacy of slavery has gained momentum, particularly from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union.
Opponents of reparations argue that present-day countries should not be held accountable for historical injustices, while supporters emphasize that slavery’s legacy has led to ongoing racial and economic inequalities.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined calls for formal reparations or an apology for Britain’s role in slavery but expressed openness to discussing non-financial reparations, such as institutional reforms and debt relief. According to The Guardian, a source from Starmer’s office indicated that he may support efforts like restructuring financial systems.
Types of reparations vary, including financial payments, apologies, and initiatives like technology transfer and education programs. CARICOM has its own reparation plan. Bahamas Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell told the BBC that the summit’s draft conclusion, expected on Saturday, includes sections advocating for reparations discussions.
“If we aim for greater equality and equity in the world, exploring what reparations could look like rather than shutting down the conversation is crucial,” said Jacqueline McKenzie, a lawyer at London firm Leigh Day, where a team is investigating potential reparations claims.
Climate Commitment
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, over 12.5 million Africans were forcibly taken by European traders and sold into slavery, enduring brutal conditions on plantations in the Americas while others profited from their labor.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, a Dominica-born diplomat, highlighted the organization’s resilience. “We have demonstrated a unique ability to overcome the painful history that brought us together and sit as equals for 75 years,” she told attendees.
The summit is also set to adopt the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, aiming to secure funding to protect ocean health and set permanent maritime boundaries, ensuring small island nations maintain ocean sovereignty even if climate change makes them uninhabitable.
“The Ocean Declaration ensures that once marine boundaries are set, they remain fixed forever,” Scotland explained, adding that this commitment offers hope to vulnerable communities impacted by rising sea levels.
More than half of Commonwealth members are small nations, many of them low-lying islands facing serious threats from climate change.
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