African and Caribbean nations agree move to seek reparations for slavery – The Guardian
Faire société, Le passé dans le présent, Relation au monde, Territoire et mémoire, the British Empire
Published in November 2023 by The Guardian
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Creator: BABA JIYANE
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Brief Overview
The African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) formed a coalition during a summit in Ghana to press European nations for reparations for slavery. They announced a global reparations fund and emphasized the need for formal apologies and recognition of historical injustices. Despite resistance from the UK, there are signs of progress with other countries acknowledging their past wrongs.
Highlights
- Formation of Global Reparations Coalition:
- AU and Caricom joined forces to push for reparations from European countries for slavery.
- The coalition aims to present a united front to intensify pressure on former slave-owning nations.
- Global Reparations Fund and Legal Actions:
- Announcement of a global fund based in Africa to support the reparations campaign.
- AU plans to explore litigation options and work with the UN to assess the historical human rights violations related to slavery.
- Calls for Formal Apologies and Recognition:
- Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo called for formal apologies from European nations involved in the slave trade.
- Emphasis on the need to recognize the economic, cultural, and psychological impact of slavery on Africa and the Caribbean.
- Resistance and Progress in Reparations Efforts:
- The UK government remains opposed to reparations, despite diplomatic engagement.
- Progress in other countries, with Germany and the Netherlands acknowledging historical atrocities and offering financial aid or formal apologies.
- Institutional and Historical Context:
- Significant pledges from institutions like Glasgow University and the Church of England to address historical links to the slave trade.
- Delegates visited Elmina Castle, a historical European slave-trading post, highlighting the historical context of the reparations movement.
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