Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, making their first official visit to London, called on Britain to partner with the region in addressing the enduring fallout of slavery and colonial rule. The delegation urged the United Kingdom to help “clean up the mess” left behind—one they say continues to shape economic, social, and environmental vulnerabilities across the Caribbean.
“You have to help us clean up this mess that you have created so that we can all go forward together,” Commission Chair Sir Hilary Beckles said during a press conference on Tuesday. He pointed to deep-rooted issues such as illiteracy and extreme poverty as evidence of the long-term damage inflicted by Britain’s historic involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
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From the 15th to the 19th centuries, an estimated 12.5 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homes, transported across the Atlantic by European vessels, and sold into chattel slavery. Advocates argue that the consequences of those crimes reverberate today, manifesting in uneven development, systemic inequality, and heightened vulnerability to climate events across the Caribbean.
Beckles stressed that the Commission is not seeking charity. Instead, it wants Britain to act as a “strategic partner” in confronting the structural challenges created by centuries of exploitation.
Momentum behind reparations has surged globally, particularly within CARICOM’s 15 member states—which include Barbados and Jamaica—and within the African Union (AU). CARICOM has already adopted a comprehensive reparations strategy, calling for a formal apology, expanded cultural and educational programs, debt relief, and financial compensation. The AU is in the process of crafting its own framework.
Still, political resistance remains strong. Many European governments have refused even to engage in formal discussions on reparatory justice, arguing that contemporary institutions should not be held accountable for historic wrongdoing.
“There is no reason why Britain should be divided on reparatory justice for the Caribbean,” Beckles said, noting that the opposition is often “an emotional response grounded in the racism of a few.” He urged the UK government to convene a summit with CARICOM leaders to advance structured talks on the issue.
The Commission’s visit, which runs from November 17–20, includes meetings with CARICOM and AU diplomats and a number of British lawmakers.
Speaking at the University of London, Barbados’ ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong, emphasized that the reparations effort extends beyond Britain to all European nations that participated in the slave trade.
“Whoever was involved, we expect you to come to the table,” he said.
