Commonwealth leaders to push for slavery reparation conversation

Commonwealth leaders to discuss reparations for transatlantic slave trade at CHOGM summit

Commonwealth heads of government are to push for a "conversation" on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade when they meet for the association's first summit in two years, the BBC reported on Thursday (October 24, 2024).

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the focus of the summit should be on "real challenges on things like climate in the here and now... rather than what will end up being very, very long, endless discussions about reparations on the past".

Also read: Should America pay reparations for slavery?

But CARICOM, a group of 15 Caribbean countries, has indicated it will push the UK government on the issue at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, which begins on Friday (October 25, 2024).

Diplomatic negotiations have resulted in the issue featuring on the draft summit communique, which the BBC said it had seen.

The document, that could still change, says: "Heads, noting calls for discussions on reparatory justice with regard to the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement... agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity."

The UK did not initially want any language in the communique about reparations, the broadcaster said.