Commonwealth leaders concluded a week-long summit in Samoa with discussions on whether Britain should consider reparations for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The summit, attended by representatives from 56 countries with historical ties to the British empire, focused on issues of slavery and climate change.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the discussions were not centered around financial compensation but rather aimed at fostering a meaningful and respectful dialogue towards building a future based on equity.
The call for ex-colonial powers to address the legacies of slavery has gained global momentum, particularly among Caribbean nations and the African Union. The joint statement issued at the summit acknowledged the need for conversations on reparatory justice but did not specify the form that reparations should take.
Professor Kingsley Abbott, from the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, described the statement as a potential breakthrough on the issue, signaling a commitment to dialogue on reparations.
In addition to the reparations discussion, the summit also addressed concerns about the impact of the climate crisis, including rising temperatures and sea levels. The Commonwealth's first Oceans Declaration affirmed the importance of maintaining maritime boundaries, particularly for small island nations like Tuvalu facing the threat of submersion due to climate change.
The declaration aims to ensure that atoll nations can continue to benefit economically from their fishing grounds, even if populations need to migrate due to shrinking land area. This move strengthens the push for international law to recognize the ongoing statehood of sinking island states within the Commonwealth.
With over half of the Commonwealth's members being small nations vulnerable to rising sea levels, the summit's discussions underscored the urgent need for collective action to address the challenges posed by historical injustices and climate change.
