Commonwealth leaders say 'time has come' for discussion on slavery reparations
Commonwealth leaders, ending a week-long summit in Samoa, said on Saturday the time had come for a discussion on whether Britain should commit to reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Slavery and the threat of climate change were major themes for representatives of the 56 countries in the group, most with roots in Britain's empire, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that began in the Pacific Islands nation on Monday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose country has long rejected calls for financial compensation for nations affected by slavery, said summit discussions were not "about money".
On slavery, the leaders said in a joint statement they had "agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity".
The push for ex-colonial powers such as Britain to pay reparations or make other amends for slavery and its legacies has gained momentum worldwide, particularly among the Caribbean Community and the African Union.
The statement also made reference to "blackbirding", a term for people from places including the Pacific Islands being deceived, coerced or kidnapped to work on plantations in Australia and elsewhere.
Remorse over slavery grows in Europe, but reparations are slow to follow
Read more on RFI English
Read also:
How could countries finance reparations for historical injustices?
How Black History month has slowly made its way to France
Heroes who fought to abolish slavery honoured in Paris Pantheon expo