Commonwealth heads agree ‘time has come’ for legacy of slavery talks
The heads of Commonwealth countries have signed an agreement in the Samoan capital, saying the “time has come” for talks on the legacy of slavery.
The document signed by 56 heads of government during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this week in Apia said it is high time for a “meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation” regarding the legacy of slavery.
Despite the UK’s efforts to avoid any mentioning of reparations, the Commonwealth leaders agreed on Saturday that it was time for “discussions on reparatory justice” for the “abhorrent” transatlantic slave trade of Britain’s past.
Some of the UK’s former colonies have called for reckoning over Britain’s key historical role in the colonial-era slave trade.
The language used in this year’s biennial CHOGM agreement is seen as an embarrassing blow to the UK government with the potential of high costs.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking on Saturday at a press conference after the summit, said the text of the document “notes calls for discussion and it agrees that this is the time for conversations”. However, he downplayed London’s liability and the obligation of the CHOGM document.
The UK is “very clear” in its position that it would not pay reparations, he said, insisting that “none of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear on that.”
There have been vocal calls from Commonwealth leaders, demanding that the UK government both apologize and pay reparations for the country’s role in the slave trade.
They say reparations to those who suffered as a result of slavery could take many forms for the beneficiaries, from financial to symbolic.
Addressing the Commonwealth leaders on Friday, the British monarch, King Charles III, who was present at the CHOGM summit in Apia, said he understood “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.”
“None of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right the inequalities that endure,” he added.
However, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves told British state media last week, “We’re not going to be paying out the reparations that some countries are speaking about.”
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