At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, King Charles called for the acknowledgment of the painful history of slavery and the need to understand the past to guide future decisions. The demand for reparations for Britain’s role in slavery has gained momentum, particularly among the Caribbean Community and the African Union. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected calls for reparations but expressed openness to discussing the issue.
Reparations can take different forms, from financial payments to educational programs, and CARICOM has its own reparations plan. The draft conclusion of the summit includes paragraphs calling for a discussion on reparations to promote greater equality and equity in the world. The transatlantic slave trade lasted from the 15th to the 19th century, with millions of Africans forcibly taken and sold into slavery under brutal conditions.
The summit also focuses on the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, aiming to secure financing for a healthy ocean and fix maritime boundaries, especially for small island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland emphasized the importance of fixing marine boundaries in perpetuity to provide hope for nations at risk.
More than half of the Commonwealth’s members are small and low-lying islands threatened by climate change, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues. Scotland emphasized the need for action to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for all nations, acknowledging the importance of addressing historical injustices and promoting environmental sustainability.
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