UK Set to Discuss Reparations for Slavery with Caribbean Delegation
The UK Foreign Office is preparing to engage in discussions with Caribbean officials regarding reparations for slavery, according to sources familiar with the matter. Representatives from the Reparations Commission of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) plan to visit Britain in April, seeking compensation for the historical injustices of the transatlantic slave trade. This marks a significant moment, as it will be the first time in over a decade that Caricom has attempted formal talks with the UK government on this issue.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has been a key figure in advancing the reparations agenda, having previously pushed for discussions at international forums, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. She has argued that Britain owes her country approximately £3.9 trillion, while broader estimates place the total reparations claim for Caribbean nations at £18 trillion. A report led by International Court of Justice judge Patrick Robinson supports this claim, advocating for reparations to be recognized under international law.
While Caribbean officials indicate that a meeting has been planned, the UK government has been hesitant to confirm any high-level engagement. A Foreign Office spokesperson clarified that no ministerial meetings are scheduled and reaffirmed the UK’s longstanding position that it does not support financial reparations for slavery. However, Labour’s David Lammy has previously expressed support for acknowledging Britain’s colonial past and exploring ways to address historical injustices. In the past, he has suggested that reparatory justice could extend beyond direct financial compensation to include initiatives such as educational programs and development support.
Several Labour MPs, including Clive Lewis and Diane Abbott, have voiced their backing for reparations, aligning with a parliamentary group focused on addressing the economic and social legacies of slavery and colonialism. Meanwhile, Caricom is working on an updated version of its 10-point plan for reparations, expanding its focus beyond slavery to include the impacts of indentured labor and colonial exploitation. The plan is expected to influence broader discussions, including those within the African Union, which is beginning to consider its own reparations framework.
Despite ongoing advocacy, the UK government maintains that it will not issue financial reparations or a formal apology for its role in the slave trade. While some campaigners view recent diplomatic statements as progress, others believe that the reluctance to engage fully with reparations demands reflects a deeper unwillingness to acknowledge Britain’s historical responsibilities. The upcoming visit by Caricom officials will be a crucial test of whether the UK is open to reconsidering its stance on this long-debated issue.