A diplomatic embarrassment grapples the United Kingdom as the Commonwealth heads of government plan to look at reparatory justice for transatlantic slave trade and demand slavery reparations of up to £18 trillion ($24 trillion) from the country.
Starmer’s office said the issue is not a part of the summit of 56 Commonwealth countries being held in Samoa from October 21 to 26.
According to a BBC report, officials were negotiating an agreement to conduct further research and start a “meaningful conversation” about the issue that could make the UK pay billons of pounds in reparations.
Starmer has been reportedly warned it is ‘only a matter of time’ before Britain has to bow to pressure as nations push for a clear statement at the summit in Samoa.
How reparatory justice for slavery works?
Reparatory justice for slavery has many forms, such as financial reparations, debt relief, official apologies, educational programmes, building museums, etc.
The current text of the draft summit, as per the BBC, says, “Heads, noting calls for discussions on reparatory justice about the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement, agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.”
The ‘extraordinary’ summit
The biennial meeting, grouping mostly former British colonies, will attract around 3,000 delegates.
The conference is the first hosted by a Pacific Island nation, and will be an “extraordinary” opportunity to showcase the region, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland told AFP.
Climate change and rising sea levels are expected to feature heavily on the agenda.
King Charles, who leads the Commonwealth, said in Canberra on Monday (Oct 21) that the bloc played a “significant role” on the world stage.
“It has the diversity to understand the world’s problems, and the sheer brain power and resolve to formulate practical solutions,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)