Key facts
- The Caricom Reparations Commission is demanding the return of the British Virgin Islands to Caribbean nations.
- The commission is calling for King Charles to support the decolonisation of Britain's remaining overseas territories.
- David Comissiong highlighted decolonisation as a key demand in the commission's new reparations manifesto.
- Sir Hilary Beckles warned that failure to address decolonisation could lead to a resurgence of colonial practices globally.
- The commission is seeking reparative justice for historical injustices including enslavement and colonialism.
The Caricom Reparations Commission, representing Caribbean states, has formally called for the return of the British Virgin Islands and urged King Charles to champion the decolonisation of Britain's remaining overseas territories. The commission, which seeks reparative justice for the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, warned that a failure to address decolonisation could result in a global resurgence of such practices.
During a visit to the UK, commission members articulated their demands, emphasizing that decolonisation is now a central tenet of their reparations manifesto. David Comissiong, Barbados’ ambassador to Caricom, stated that the Caribbean remains the most colonised region globally and that Black people are still deprived of self-determination despite historical oppression. He highlighted the presence of numerous colonies in the Caribbean under British, French, Dutch, and American control, asserting that reparations and decolonisation are intrinsically linked.
Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of the commission, expressed concern that without a framework of reparatory justice, the world might witness a return to colonial expansionism, citing examples of military interventions and external control over territories. He specifically objected to the continued consultation with British authorities for decisions in places like the Virgin Islands, advocating for full democracy, freedom, and sovereignty.
With King Charles set to be a keynote speaker at the upcoming Commonwealth heads of government meeting, the commission expressed hope that he would use his position to advance discussions on sovereignty and reparatory justice, despite his constraints as a constitutional monarch. The commission also reported progress in the global reparations movement, noting an increase in apologies from institutions and the UN's recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity, and is now entering a negotiation phase. The delegation has also engaged with UK parliamentarians and religious leaders, seeking critical allies in their cause.