Jul 26, 2013
"We know that our constant search and struggle for development resources is linked directly to the historical inability of our nations to accumulate wealth from the efforts of our peoples during slavery and colonialism," declared Prime Minister Winston Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, earlier this month.
"These nations that have been the major producers of wealth for the European slave-owning economies during the enslavement and colonial periods entered Independence with dependency straddling their economic, cultural, social and even political lives," he said.
The regional Caribbean organization Caricom will bring these demands to the courts with the same British human rights firm that recently won redress for hundreds of Kenyans tortured at the hands of the British government during the Mau Mau anti-colonial uprisings of the 1950s and 60s.
After a unanimous vote at an early July Caricom summit in Trinidad, Caribbean nations will form a regional reparations commission, overseen by heads of state across the Caribbean, according to a group statement. Many Caribbean nations already have reparations commissions, but those that don't will form them, in addition to the regional body.
David Fitton--British high commissioner to Jamaica--was quick to reject the demand, declaringWednesday, "We don't think the issue of reparations is the right way to address these issues."
Yet British government already paid reparations to British planters in the Caribbean upon slave 'emancipation' in 1834.
"Our ancestors got nothing," Verene Shepherd, chairwoman of the national reparations commission in Jamaica, told the Guardian. "They got their freedom and they were told 'Go develop yourselves'."
_____________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
"We know that our constant search and struggle for development resources is linked directly to the historical inability of our nations to accumulate wealth from the efforts of our peoples during slavery and colonialism," declared Prime Minister Winston Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, earlier this month.
"These nations that have been the major producers of wealth for the European slave-owning economies during the enslavement and colonial periods entered Independence with dependency straddling their economic, cultural, social and even political lives," he said.
The regional Caribbean organization Caricom will bring these demands to the courts with the same British human rights firm that recently won redress for hundreds of Kenyans tortured at the hands of the British government during the Mau Mau anti-colonial uprisings of the 1950s and 60s.
After a unanimous vote at an early July Caricom summit in Trinidad, Caribbean nations will form a regional reparations commission, overseen by heads of state across the Caribbean, according to a group statement. Many Caribbean nations already have reparations commissions, but those that don't will form them, in addition to the regional body.
David Fitton--British high commissioner to Jamaica--was quick to reject the demand, declaringWednesday, "We don't think the issue of reparations is the right way to address these issues."
Yet British government already paid reparations to British planters in the Caribbean upon slave 'emancipation' in 1834.
"Our ancestors got nothing," Verene Shepherd, chairwoman of the national reparations commission in Jamaica, told the Guardian. "They got their freedom and they were told 'Go develop yourselves'."
_____________________
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
"We know that our constant search and struggle for development resources is linked directly to the historical inability of our nations to accumulate wealth from the efforts of our peoples during slavery and colonialism," declared Prime Minister Winston Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, earlier this month.
"These nations that have been the major producers of wealth for the European slave-owning economies during the enslavement and colonial periods entered Independence with dependency straddling their economic, cultural, social and even political lives," he said.
The regional Caribbean organization Caricom will bring these demands to the courts with the same British human rights firm that recently won redress for hundreds of Kenyans tortured at the hands of the British government during the Mau Mau anti-colonial uprisings of the 1950s and 60s.
After a unanimous vote at an early July Caricom summit in Trinidad, Caribbean nations will form a regional reparations commission, overseen by heads of state across the Caribbean, according to a group statement. Many Caribbean nations already have reparations commissions, but those that don't will form them, in addition to the regional body.
David Fitton--British high commissioner to Jamaica--was quick to reject the demand, declaringWednesday, "We don't think the issue of reparations is the right way to address these issues."
Yet British government already paid reparations to British planters in the Caribbean upon slave 'emancipation' in 1834.
"Our ancestors got nothing," Verene Shepherd, chairwoman of the national reparations commission in Jamaica, told the Guardian. "They got their freedom and they were told 'Go develop yourselves'."
_____________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.