Nov 1, 2026
3 min read
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has welcomed Britain's willingness to consider a formal apology for its role in slavery, but has rejected the United Kingdom's position that reparations are not the answer to the lasting effects of the transatlantic slave trade.
CARICOM Chair and Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said the Community was prepared to engage in the structured dialogue proposed by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, but stressed that reparatory justice must be central to those discussions.
In a statement on Saturday, Pierre acknowledged that Burnham's expression of sorrow and regret, openness to a formal state apology and offer of dialogue represented a significant development in Britain's response to its history of slavery.
He said CARICOM had sought such engagement for more than a decade and was ready to participate.
However, Pierre rejected the argument that reparations were inappropriate because present-day Britons were not personally responsible for slavery.
“Reparatory justice has never been about individual guilt. It is about the responsibility of states and institutions — and that responsibility does not expire with the passing of generations,” he said.
Pierre pointed to Britain's role in legislating for and profiting from slavery, as well as its decision to compensate enslavers at Emancipation while formerly enslaved people received no land, wealth or compensation.
He said the consequences of slavery continued to affect Caribbean societies through inequalities in health, education and economic opportunity, as well as national debt and economic vulnerability.
While describing a formal apology as an important first step, Pierre said it would be incomplete without meaningful action to address the damage caused by slavery.
He called for the proposed dialogue to include every element of CARICOM's Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice, which covers public health, education, cultural restitution, psychological rehabilitation, technology and entrepreneurship, debt cancellation and monetary compensation.
The Community also wants the discussions to address the genocide of Indigenous Peoples and the harm caused to people brought from India and China to sustain the colonial system.
Pierre said CARICOM's reparations bodies, led by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Sir Hilary Beckles, were ready to work with the British Government to establish the terms, agenda and timetable for the discussions.
He is expected to meet Burnham in Antigua and Barbuda during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
