Bridgetown, Barbados — A Caribbean delegation is preparing to travel to Europe next month to reignite international discussions on reparations for slavery and colonialism, organizers have confirmed to reporters. The high-stakes trip will see representatives from the region making stops in Brussels and London to push for formal engagement on one of the most contentious historical issues still shaping global inequalities today.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, more than 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, trafficked across the Atlantic by European ships, and sold into slavery—a legacy that Caribbean leaders say continues to fuel systemic racism and economic disparities in the region.
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Calls for reparations have gained significant traction in recent years, particularly among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and the African Union (AU). However, the movement has also faced stiff resistance, with many European leaders rejecting discussions on financial or structural reparations.
The upcoming mission is being organized by The Repair Campaign, an advocacy group committed to advancing reparations within the Caribbean. The delegation will begin its tour in Brussels on July 1, where members will host a formal briefing with European Union lawmakers. Although the EU in 2023 acknowledged that Europe inflicted “untold suffering” on millions during the transatlantic slave trade, no European nation has yet agreed to reparative measures.
On July 2, the delegation will move to London for a parliamentary briefing aimed at opening direct dialogue with British officials. Britain, which transported an estimated 3.2 million Africans—the largest number among European countries after Portugal—has consistently rejected calls for reparations, despite growing public pressure.
Organizers say the delegation’s goal is not to demand immediate payment but to establish sustained diplomatic engagement and to push for European governments to play an active role in reparative justice.
The delegation includes Caribbean scholars, policy experts, and members of national reparations committees backed by CARICOM governments. CARICOM’s reparations plan advocates for a 10-point program that includes technology transfers, financial investments, debt cancellation, and initiatives to address chronic health crises and educational gaps linked to the legacy of slavery and colonial exploitation. The African Union is also developing a complementary reparations framework.
Opponents of reparations argue that present-day nations should not be held accountable for historical atrocities committed by their predecessors. However, supporters contend that reparative action is necessary to address the enduring impacts of slavery, including institutional racism, underdevelopment, and global economic inequality.
The upcoming meetings in Europe mark a significant step in what Caribbean leaders have described as a long, necessary journey toward historical accountability and restorative justice.
