“Reframing reparations as healing, dignity, and repair”

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your work?

My name is Carla Astaphan, Chairperson of the St. Kitts-Nevis National Reparations Committee and founder of EquiLegacy Partners, a consultancy dedicated to advancing reparatory justice. I am a graduate of the MSc/MA Reparatory Justice programme jointly offered by the University of Glasgow and the University of the West Indies. My work aims to strengthen the case for reparations, while ensuring these conversations remain accessible and meaningful for our communities.

Could you speak to the significance of St Kitts and Nevis’ histories in reparatory justice movements?

The histories of St. Kitts and Nevis are marked by both the violence of colonisation and the resilience of our people. From uprisings to everyday acts of defiance, our ancestors resisted enslavement in ways that continue to inspire us. These stories remind us that reparations are not only about addressing past harms, but also about honouring the courage of those who fought for freedom and demanding accountability from those who profited from their oppression. In the global reparatory justice movement, St. Kitts-Nevis history underscores the moral and legal imperative to confront slavery’s enduring legacies.

Could you share with us what you are looking forward to in the ongoing movement for reparatory justice in the Caribbean?

Looking ahead, I am encouraged by the Caribbean’s growing collective voice in the global reparations discourse. Our regional movement is reframing reparations as a holistic process of healing and transformation, not just financial redress. I am particularly focused on advancing descendant liability and corporate accountability, ensuring that those who continue to benefit from historical injustices are called to responsibility. The path forward is challenging, but it is also filled with possibility: justice, dignity, and repair.