Commonwealth nations to discuss slavery, climate change at Samoa summit By Reuters
It’s James Redmayne and Catarina Demony
APIA (Reuters) – Leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations will meet at a reception in Samoa in the South Pacific on Thursday, with climate change and the restoration of Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade both likely to be on the agenda.
Leaders and officials from 56 countries with roots in the British Empire attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the small island state, which began on Monday.
The British Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, said on Monday that the UK will not bring to the table at the conference the issue of reparations for slavery across the Atlantic, but is open to dialogue with leaders who want to discuss it.
The idea of reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery has been around for a long time but has recently gained momentum around the world, especially those that are part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union more recently.
The CARICOM Reparations Commission was established to seek reparations from former colonial countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Portugal.
Those against paying reparations argue that countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in favor argue that the legacy of slavery has led to today’s enduring racial inequality.
A CARICOM source familiar with the matter told Reuters the CHOGM presents an “important opportunity” for talks on reparations and the region will present the issue there.
“It is a priority for many Commonwealth member states and whenever those affected by atrocities ask to speak, there must always be a willingness to sit down and listen,” said Kingsley Abbott, director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London. who will attend the conference.
From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were captured and forcibly transported by European ships and merchants and sold into slavery. Those who survived this brutal journey ended up working hard in the fields under brutal conditions in the Americas, especially in Brazil and the Caribbean, while others profited from their work.
KING CHARLES WILL WITNESS THE EFFECT OF THE PROGRESSIVE WORDS
More than half of the Commonwealth’s members are small states, many of which are low-lying island countries that are vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said that sea temperatures are rising in the Pacific Islands at three times the rate of the rest of the world, and their people are “uniquely exposed” to the impact of rising sea levels.
Britain’s King Charles, who is attending the CHOGM, on Thursday will be shown the impact of rising sea levels forcing people into the country, said the king of Samoa.
Island leaders are expected to issue a declaration on ocean protection at the conference, with climate change a major topic of discussion.
The conference concludes with a retreat of leaders and a press conference on Saturday.
