UNITED NATIONS — In a striking revelation, both the relatives of historic British figures and descendants of enslaved individuals gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York to discuss the intricate and contentious matter of reparations for slavery in the Caribbean. This marked the first occasion where descendants of both slave owners and the enslaved engaged collectively with diplomats and specialists to confront the historical implications.
Previously, information surfaced through the British Slave Compensation Commission records that shocked many, including the great-great-grandson of 19th-century British Prime Minister William Gladstone. Unaware until seven years ago, he painfully discovered his ancestors owned slaves in Jamaica and Guyana. Similarly, former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan learned that her ancestor, Sir John Trevelyan, had owned sugarcane plantations in Grenada, along with about 1,000 enslaved people.
Trevelyan, now advocating for reparations, moderated the historic discussion held in conjunction with the U.N. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. Beginning around 1500, millions from West Africa were forcibly transported to labor in the Caribbean and the Americas. U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk reported that roughly 25 to 30 million Africans were displaced during the slave trade.
While debates over reparations continue, apologies from countries culpable in slave trading remain sparse. The Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, has persistently called for reparative justice, including formal apologies and educational reforms, to address the enduring racism faced by people of African descent. CARICOM, representing Caribbean nations, has formulated a ten-point plan, urging European governments implicated in slavery to formally acknowledge their past.
Türk highlighted a significant declaration by the European Union in 2023, expressing deep regret over the trans-Atlantic slave trade’s enduring impact. Furthermore, the African Union has labeled 2025 as the “Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”
Within this momentous gathering, Trevelyan shared her family’s journey of apologizing to Grenada, including a contribution of approximately $133,000 towards education initiatives on the island. Though sincere, her efforts were met with protests regarding the apology’s sufficiency and the compensation offered.
Aidee Walker recounted her genealogical revelation upon discovering that her ancestor John Malcolm was a slave owner in Jamaica. This stark family history compelled her and her sister, Kate Thomas, to seek advice from Verene Shepherd, vice chair of CARICOM’s reparations commission. Shepherd recommended they start with a public apology. Meanwhile, Charles Gladstone expressed profound guilt upon discovering the Gladstone estate’s dark history, prompting him to apologize to Guyana and Jamaica.
Gladstone noted that while British abolitionism in 1833 is commonly taught, the nation’s involvement in the slave trade remains underrepresented, advocating that this historical narrative needs to be exposed to address the lingering effects that persist today.
Despite Britain’s historical role in slavery, real reparative actions remain minimal. Representatives at the meeting urged collective effort to push for a significant recognition of this issue, believing that pressure from numerous families like theirs could eventually prompt governmental action in Britain.
Antigua’s U.N. ambassador, Walton Webson, concluded the meeting by acknowledging the increasing openness to address reparations publicly. According to him, fostering awareness and conversation about reparations across all generations is a crucial step forward in achieving justice for these historical injustices.