WELLINGTON, New Zealand — British officials may find themselves confronted with difficult inquiries regarding reparations for the trans-Atlantic slave trade during an upcoming summit involving nations previously colonized by Britain. Caribbean leaders have signaled their intent to bring this topic to the forefront of discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place in Apia, Samoa.
Although British Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that discussions surrounding slavery compensation were not part of the agenda for this week’s meeting, the subject is likely to emerge regardless, setting the stage for a challenging summit for Starmer and even King Charles III, who is attending while dealing with cancer.
Patricia Scotland, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, mentioned that the organization has tackled issues that others tend to avoid. When asked about the potential inclusion of financial reparations in the agenda, she did not confirm reports suggesting the communique would acknowledge calls for “reparatory justice” related to the slave trade. Nevertheless, British officials reportedly removed any plans for a separate declaration concerning reparations, according to media sources. Caribbean and African leaders have been at the forefront of advocating for this issue.
Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Bahamas expressed a desire for a significant discussion on this matter, aiming for a moment of honesty among leaders. He confirmed that he, along with other leaders, wishes for the collective statement from the summit to mention reparations and hopes for an open dialogue with Starmer.
Apologies for involvement in slavery have been issued by a few nations, like the Netherlands, but Britain has yet to make a formal acknowledgment of its past in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which greatly profited many individuals and institutions. Although Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807, it did not free slaves within its territories until 1833. A growing number of British institutions, including the Church of England, have begun to confront their historical connections to slavery.
The British government has reiterated that discussions about reparations would not be featured during the Commonwealth summit but conceded that the topic might arise in the final statement. Starmer emphasized his preference for focusing on contemporary issues rather than delving into potentially lengthy debates surrounding historical reparations.
Scotland affirmed that the leaders would have the opportunity to discuss any issues that concern them during the summit. This is Starmer’s first CHOGM, and Scotland believes it will be well-received by participants.
The presence of King Charles III may also prompt discussions similar to those in Australia regarding the monarchy’s relationship with its historical colonies. Though he and Prince William have expressed sadness over slavery, they have not yet fully confronted the crown’s involvement in the slave trade. Studies estimate that the financial obligations Britain may owe descendants of millions affected by slavery could reach the hundreds of billions or even trillions of dollars.
Leaders at the CHOGM are set for an extensive retreat that will encourage free discussion, with several pressing matters to be considered. Among these topics, they are expected to endorse a commitment to establishing permanent ocean boundaries, and Davis indicated that poorer nations would seek reparations for damages stemming from extreme weather events caused by pollution from wealthy nations like Britain.
Scotland stated, “The Commonwealth heads will speak about absolutely anything they want to speak about when they go on the retreat.” Jacqueline McKenzie, a lawyer working on reparations, remarked that any mention of reparations in the leaders’ communique would carry significant weight. She articulated that the time has come for this issue to be taken more seriously, noting that while it’s unlikely for any one nation to repay all debts owed for historical actions, negotiations around reparations must be part of the larger discussion. Starmer, she concluded, will inevitably have to address these concerns.
The Commonwealth, comprising 56 nations and a collective population of approximately 2.7 billion, includes a range of states, some without direct historical ties to Britain. Observers will be keen to see if King Charles can unify member nations in their objectives, something his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, accomplished with great success.
“Maintaining the Commonwealth was among the most significant achievements of his mother,” noted Anna Whitelock, a professor specializing in monarchy history. “It involves sustaining both a sense of community and cooperation and ensuring its relevance amidst the emergence of various global power dynamics and challenges.”