CARICOM – Commission Going to the UK to Make the Case for Reparations 

The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) is embarking on a high-level mission to the United Kingdom this week as Caribbean leaders intensify their campaign for reparatory justice over the legacy of slavery and colonialism.

The delegation will be in London from July 13 to 16, where commissioners are scheduled to meet with British lawmakers, diplomats, academics and civil society organisations. The visit will also include presentations at the UK Parliament and discussions hosted by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, aimed at expanding international support for the Caribbean’s reparations agenda.

Leading the delegation is Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, alongside regional representatives including Professor Verene Shepherd, Ambassador David Comissiong, Eric Phillips and Dorbrene O’Marde. Organisers say the mission will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships, promoting public education and engaging British institutions in meaningful dialogue on the enduring social and economic consequences of slavery.

The visit comes amid growing international momentum for reparatory justice. Earlier this year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution recognizing the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans as one of history’s gravest crimes against humanity. CARICOM officials argue that the resolution has added new legal and moral weight to the region’s long-standing call for reparations from former colonial powers.

The Commission’s advocacy also follows renewed discussions between Caribbean governments and the United Kingdom over historical accountability. Jamaica recently announced plans to formally petition King Charles III for legal guidance on its reparations claim, while CARICOM leaders have reaffirmed that their objective extends beyond financial compensation to include formal apologies, development partnerships, educational initiatives and other measures outlined in the bloc’s Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice.