LONDON —The UK has confirmed that it will not prioritize the issue of reparations for transatlantic slavery at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, which started on October 21. However, the UK is open to discussions with leaders who wish to address the topic.

This week’s CHOGM brings together leaders and officials from 56 nations with ties to the former British Empire.

While successive British governments have dismissed calls for reparations, Hilary Beckles, chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Reparations Commission, expressed hope that the new Labour government, following 14 years of Conservative rule, might shift its stance.

Both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles are set to attend the Samoa summit. Despite this, a spokesperson for Starmer reiterated on October 21 that reparations would not be on the agenda.

"We do not pay reparations," the spokesperson affirmed. "The stance on an apology remains unchanged. No apology will be issued at CHOGM."

Although reparations are not part of Starmer's official Commonwealth agenda, the spokesperson noted that the UK would remain engaged with its partners on the issue.

A source within Caricom, which consists of 15 member states including Jamaica and Barbados, told Reuters that the summit offers a significant platform for dialogue on reparations and confirmed that the matter will be raised.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley stated in July that Caricom had agreed to push the reparations agenda "very forcefully" at the Samoa meeting.

All three candidates vying to be the next Commonwealth secretary-general are in favor of reparations.

Caricom’s reparations plan emphasizes more than just financial compensation; it also calls for formal apologies from European nations and support for educational initiatives.

While the idea of reparations for slavery has a long history, it has gained renewed global attention in recent years.

Critics argue that current governments should not be held accountable for historical injustices, while supporters claim that the lasting effects of slavery have contributed to enduring racial inequalities.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters