The Repair Campaign has welcomed the inclusion of reparatory justice for chattel slavery on the agenda of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM (Caribbean Community), which takes place this week in Barbados (19th – 21st February).

The meeting is being hosted by the Chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. It will include discussions between Caribbean heads of state and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the issue of slavery Reparations.

Commenting today, founder of The Repair Campaign, Denis O’Brien, said: “Unquestionably, the time has come for a proper discussion on financial reparatory justice, including the scale and timing of payments to be made by the EU and the UK. Genocide, chattel enslavement, and colonialism inflicted deep and enduring damage over 350 years on the people of the Caribbean, while providing significant wealth and financial benefits to the UK and European colonisers.”

Mr. O’Brien emphasised that this is not a historical issue, noting that the impacts of the transatlantic slave trade are still acutely felt today – socially, economically and psychologically. “The Caribbean region will only begin to heal if the legacy of slavery is addressed. Recognition of this injustice is long overdue, and we strongly support CARICOM’s leadership in advancing the Reparations debate on the global stage. Meaningful dialogue at the highest political level is essential if we are to move towards a fair and just resolution.”

The 48th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government addresses several key regional issues, including food and nutrition security, climate change, regional security, and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Discussions on Reparations feature prominently on the agenda alongside these topics, reflecting the growing momentum behind international calls for repair.

ENDS

Contact: Sebastian Enke / Eoin Hynes, Alice Public Relations, Email: [email protected], Tel: +353-87-3239496 / +353-87-3256268

About The Repair Campaign

The Repair Campaign is a social movement dedicated to securing reparatory justice for the Caribbean. Founded by Denis O’Brien, who has had significant business interests in the Caribbean for over 20 years, the campaign aims to amplify Caribbean voices, promote meaningful dialogue, and produce evidence-based plans to address the lasting impacts of slavery and colonialism. Further information is available at www.repaircampaign.org.