Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has made a bold plea for the United Kingdom to pay $4.9 trillion in reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, delivering her impassioned speech in London on Wednesday. Addressing the historical injustices and the enduring impact of slavery, Mottley emphasized that discussions about repaying this debt would be arduous and time-consuming.
Mottley met with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron a day prior to discuss bilateral relations, withholding details about Cameron’s stance on Britain’s slavery-related debt from the media. She expressed hope that Cameron would take guidance on the matter from King Charles, who, while acknowledging Britain’s role in the slave trade, has yet to mention financial reparations publicly.
Highlighting the profound and lasting effects of the transatlantic slave trade, Mottley insisted that the reparatory damages must be acknowledged, emphasizing that the extraction of wealth and damages occurred over centuries. While not expecting immediate payment, she underscored the importance of being seen and heard in the demand for reparations.
Since assuming leadership in 2018, Mottley has emerged as a significant advocate for addressing the legacy of colonialism and seeking reparations for the historical damages inflicted by the British Empire. Referring to a report by the Brattle Group, she cited figures indicating that the UK owes $24 trillion in reparations to 14 affected countries, positioning her plea within the broader context of addressing historical wrongs.
Despite the staggering figures, Mottley argued that when viewed in relation to the total wealth accumulated over time, the reparations demanded are, in fact, minuscule. In April, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly declined to apologize or offer reparations for the slave trade, asserting that attempting to unpick history was not the right way forward. As the call for reparations gains momentum, the complex discussions on this deeply rooted issue are set to continue.
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