Britain to hold talks on slavery reparations without financial compensation | Politics | News

Britain will be forced to hold talks on reparations for slavery next year, but it will not hand over any money, sir. Keir Starmer has said.

The UK failed to include language on damages over this historic issue in a document signed by Commonwealth leaders in Samoa.

The Prime Minister had initially said compensation was not on his agenda for the conference, but the heads of government’s final statement said leaders “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation to forge a future.” common based on equity”.

In the run-up to this year’s summit, there have been growing calls for the UK to apologize and offer reparations worth trillions of pounds for the country’s historic role in the slave trade.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the Prime Minister stated that “none of the discussions have been about money.”

Restorative justice for slavery can take many forms, including financial reparations, debt relief, an official apology, educational programs, museum construction, economic support, and public health assistance.

Sir Keir downplayed the importance of reparations on the summit agenda, saying: “The topic of the day was chosen by the Prime Minister here in Samoa, and she chose resilience and climate.

“So I think that gives a clear idea of ​​the absolute priority here, and that’s not surprising.”

And he added: “I must be very clear: in the two days we have been here, none of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear on this.”

Asked whether he had damaged his relations with Commonwealth nations in his attempt to take a hard line on the issue, and lost the battle after the final document made explicit mention of restorative justice, the Prime Minister He repeated that the slave trade was “abhorrent” but “We have had two very positive days here in Samoa.”

Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis had said he would seek a “frank” conversation with Sir Keir about restorative justice for the slave trade at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Speaking during CHOGM, he said: “Let’s have a conversation about this. We all appreciate this, the horrendous impact that the transatlantic slave trade had on the African diaspora and requires justice.

“This is not just an apology. It’s not about money. “It is about appreciating, accepting and understanding what our ancestors went through, which has left a scourge on our race, culturally, mentally and physically.”

The UK’s position on reparations has been to neither offer an official apology nor pay compensation.

A report published last year by the University of the West Indies found that the UK owed more than £18bn in reparations for its role in slavery in 14 Caribbean countries.

The statement said: “Chiefs, noting calls to debate reparative justice in respect of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel slavery and recognizing the importance of this issue to Commonwealth member states, the majority of which They share common historical experiences. regarding this abhorrent trade, slavery, the weakening and dispossession of indigenous peoples, indenture, colonialism, blackbirding and its lasting effects, agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation to forge a common future based on equity. .

“The heads of government further agreed to continue playing an active role in achieving inclusive conversations that address these harms, paying special attention to women and girls, who have suffered disproportionately from these terrible tragedies in human history.”