Sir Keir Starmer said reparations should not be on the agenda
Commonwealth leaders are poised to challenge the United Kingdom by advancing discussions on reparations related to the transatlantic slave trade. As the summit of 56 Commonwealth countries approaches, taking place in Samoa, diplomatic sources reveal that officials are working on an agreement to explore reparatory justice, despite the UK government’s insistence that this topic will not be on the agenda.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed a desire to focus on pressing issues such as climate change during the summit. However, sources indicate that discussions around reparations are likely to occur, with the potential for the UK facing significant financial obligations. The foreign minister of the Bahamas, Frederick Mitchell, stated that initiating conversations about reparations could eventually lead to broader acceptance of the topic.
Reparatory justice may encompass various measures, including financial reparations, debt relief, formal apologies, educational initiatives, museum construction, economic support, and public health assistance. A draft communique from the summit highlights the need for “meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversations” regarding the transatlantic slave trade. It emphasizes the importance of Commonwealth leaders engaging in discussions that address historical injustices while paving the way for a more equitable future.
The current draft acknowledges shared historical experiences among member states, particularly concerning the slave trade and the suffering of indigenous populations. It also references “blackbirding,” a practice involving the coercion of Pacific islanders into forced labor. There is an expectation that the topic of reparatory justice will be a central focus of the next Commonwealth summit scheduled for two years from now, possibly in Antigua and Barbuda.
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As calls intensify for the UK to apologize and make reparations amounting to trillions of pounds for its role in the slave trade, a report from the University of the West Indies, supported by an International Court of Justice judge, estimated the UK’s reparations liability at over £18 trillion for 14 Caribbean nations.
In the lead-up to the summit, the prime minister of the Bahamas conveyed the ongoing fight for reparations to a UK minister, asserting that an apology could be simply articulated in a single sentence. He emphasized that reparations extend beyond financial compensation, encompassing recognition and respect for historical injustices.
The UK government has maintained its position against reparations, stating that it is focused on leveraging the summit to discuss shared opportunities and economic growth. Officials have refrained from commenting on the leaked draft communique but reiterated that reparations are not on the agenda for the meeting.
Despite the UK government’s stance, some Caribbean ministers have expressed frustration over the perceived reluctance to address the reparations issue. The tone of the UK’s language has contributed to tensions among Commonwealth members who expected a more open discussion.
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Starmer, the first serving UK prime minister to visit a Pacific island, has reiterated his preference to engage in contemporary issues rather than delve into historical grievances. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with Commonwealth nations to address current challenges, particularly those related to climate change, which many small island states face.
King Charles III arrived in Samoa ahead of the summit and previously expressed sorrow regarding colonial-era wrongs without issuing a formal apology. Some non-Caribbean countries in the Commonwealth are sympathetic to the UK’s position, preferring a focus on pressing issues like climate change.
King Charles met with Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa
However, Caribbean nations remain committed to advancing the conversation on reparations. All candidates vying for the position of the next Commonwealth Secretary-General have expressed support for reparatory justice, indicating a collective push from these nations to address historical injustices and seek redress for the transatlantic slave trade.
