British Prime Minister Responds to Demands for Reparations for Slave Trade
Britain will not issue an apology or provide reparations for its involvement in transatlantic slavery, according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the topic of reparations for transatlantic slavery will not be addressed at the upcoming Commonwealth summit.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting commenced on Monday in Samoa, gathering leaders and officials from 56 nations, predominantly former British colonies. A new secretary-general is expected to be elected during the gathering.
Both Starmer and King Charles are reported to be attending the meeting. However, a spokesperson for the prime minister clarified that reparations are not part of Starmer's agenda.
“We do not pay reparations,” the spokesperson stated, further noting, “The position on an apology remains the same. We won’t be offering an apology at CHOGM.”
The spokesperson also emphasized a commitment to “continue to engage with partners on these issues.”
In April 2023, Starmer’s predecessor, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, publicly rejected the idea of offering reparations or an apology for the slave trade. He remarked that “trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward and is not something we will focus our energies on.”
For many years, the UK has faced increasing demands to provide reparations for its historical role in slaveholding. The British Empire was responsible for the trade of approximately 3.1 million Africans, with about 2.7 million transported to colonies in the Caribbean, North and South America over a 150-year span. The abolition of the slave trade by Britain’s Parliament occurred in 1807.
Research from the Brattle Group, published by the University of the West Indies in 2023, estimated that the UK could owe $24 trillion in reparations for transatlantic slavery across 14 countries, with Jamaica alone potentially receiving around $9.6 trillion.
Moreover, sources have indicated that the Caribbean Community, a coalition of 15 member states, plans to bring up the topic of reparations at the Commonwealth meeting.
In July, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced Caricom's intent to “very forcefully” advocate for reparations during the CHOGM in Samoa.
UN judge Patrick Robinson mentioned in August 2023 that the UK can no longer disregard the rising demands for reparations tied to transatlantic slavery, asserting that compensation “is required by history and it is required by law.”
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting commenced on Monday in Samoa, gathering leaders and officials from 56 nations, predominantly former British colonies. A new secretary-general is expected to be elected during the gathering.
Both Starmer and King Charles are reported to be attending the meeting. However, a spokesperson for the prime minister clarified that reparations are not part of Starmer's agenda.
“We do not pay reparations,” the spokesperson stated, further noting, “The position on an apology remains the same. We won’t be offering an apology at CHOGM.”
The spokesperson also emphasized a commitment to “continue to engage with partners on these issues.”
In April 2023, Starmer’s predecessor, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, publicly rejected the idea of offering reparations or an apology for the slave trade. He remarked that “trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward and is not something we will focus our energies on.”
For many years, the UK has faced increasing demands to provide reparations for its historical role in slaveholding. The British Empire was responsible for the trade of approximately 3.1 million Africans, with about 2.7 million transported to colonies in the Caribbean, North and South America over a 150-year span. The abolition of the slave trade by Britain’s Parliament occurred in 1807.
Research from the Brattle Group, published by the University of the West Indies in 2023, estimated that the UK could owe $24 trillion in reparations for transatlantic slavery across 14 countries, with Jamaica alone potentially receiving around $9.6 trillion.
Moreover, sources have indicated that the Caribbean Community, a coalition of 15 member states, plans to bring up the topic of reparations at the Commonwealth meeting.
In July, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced Caricom's intent to “very forcefully” advocate for reparations during the CHOGM in Samoa.
UN judge Patrick Robinson mentioned in August 2023 that the UK can no longer disregard the rising demands for reparations tied to transatlantic slavery, asserting that compensation “is required by history and it is required by law.”
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
