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Commonwealth heads of government are getting ready to defy the United Kingdom and agree plans to look at reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave commerce, the BBC has realized.
Downing Street insists the problem just isn’t on the agenda for the summit of 56 Commonwealth nations, which begins within the Pacific island nation of Samoa on Friday.
But diplomatic sources stated officers had been negotiating an settlement to conduct additional analysis and start a “meaningful conversation” about a difficulty which might probably depart the UK owing billions of kilos in reparations.
The present textual content of the draft summit communique – made identified to the BBC – 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.”
It says the heads of government would play “an active role in bringing about such inclusive conversations addressing these harms” and that they agreed “to prioritise and facilitate further and additional research on the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel slavery that encourages and supports the conversations and informs a way forward”.
The textual content – which might nonetheless change as soon as Commonwealth leaders arrive – has been hammered out by diplomats forward of the summit. British officers succeeded in blocking a plan for a wholly separate declaration on the topic.
The UK didn’t need any language within the communique about reparatory justice, however for the time being it’s having to settle for it would embrace three full paragraphs setting out the Commonwealth’s detailed place.
Reparatory justice for slavery can are available many types, together with monetary reparations, debt aid, an official apology, academic programmes, constructing museums, financial help, and public well being help.
Officials from Caricom, the physique that represents Caribbean nations, have sought to broaden the problem in order that it encompasses not simply the slave commerce throughout the Atlantic but in addition the Pacific.
The draft communique says a majority of member states “share common historical experiences in relation to this abhorrent trade, chattel enslavement, the debilitation and dispossession of indigenous people”.
It additionally refers straight to practices generally known as “blackbirding”, the place Pacific islanders had been tricked or kidnapped into slave or low cost labour in colonies all through the area.
Diplomats stated the expectation now was that reparatory justice could be a central focus of the agenda for the following Commonwealth summit in two years’ time within the Caribbean, presumably Antigua and Barbuda.
In the run up to this yr’s summit, there have been rising calls from Commonwealth leaders for the UK to apologise and make reparations value trillions of kilos for the nation’s historic function within the slave commerce.
A report revealed final yr by the University of West Indies – backed by Patrick Robinson, a decide who sits on the International Court of Justice – concluded the UK owed greater than £18tn in reparations for its function in slavery in 14 Caribbean nations.
Last weekend the prime minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, used a go to by Foreign Office minister Baroness Chapman to inform her the struggle for reparations was removed from over.
According to the Bahamas government web site, Mr Davis stated: “The call for reparations is not simply about financial compensation. It is not about financial compensation.
“It is about recognising the enduring impact of centuries of exploitation and ensuring that the legacy of slavery is addressed with honesty and integrity.
“As Caribbean nations, we stand united in our demand for justice for generations who came before us and those of us who are still living with that brutal history.”
A UK government spokesperson stated they’d not remark on the leak to the BBC, however added: “Reparations are not on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The government’s position has not changed – we do not pay reparations.
“We are focused on using the summit at [the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] to discuss the shared opportunities which we can unlock across the Commonwealth – including securing more economic growth.”
It is understood the Downing Street position – that reparatory justice is not on the agenda – while technically correct, has angered some Caribbean ministers when it was obvious that the issue would be discussed at the summit.
It is one of many issues that are not technically on the agenda but will still be addressed and discussed.
Sir Keir Starmer landed in Samoa late on Wednesday UK time, becoming the first sitting prime minister to visit a Pacific island nation.
Speaking to reporters en route, he said he wanted to discuss current challenges with Commonwealth leaders, especially climate change, rather than issues of the past.
“What they’re most interested in is, can we help them working with, for example, international financial institutions on the sorts of packages they need right now in relation to the challenges they’re facing,” he said.
“That’s where I’m going to put my focus – rather than what will end up being very, very long endless discussions about reparations on the past.
“Of course, slavery is abhorrent to everybody; the trade and the practice, there’s no question about that. But I think from my point of view… I’d rather roll up my sleeves and work with them on the current future-facing challenges than spend a lot of time on the past.”
King Charles arrived in Samoa for a four-day visit on Wednesday and is due to formally open the summit.
On a visit to Kenya last year, the King expressed the “best sorrow and remorse” over the “wrongdoings” of the colonial era, but stopped short of issuing an apology, which would have required the agreement of ministers.
Some non-Caribbean countries are not unsympathetic towards the British position and want the summit to focus more on existing challenges – such as climate change, which is adversely affecting many Commonwealth countries, about half of whom are small island states.
But Caribbean countries seem determined to keep pressing the issue.
All three candidates hoping to be elected this weekend as the following secretary basic of the Commonwealth – Shirley Botchwey of Ghana, Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Mamadou Tangara of Gambia – have made clear they help reparatory justice.
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