Slavery reparations: Where do Europe and the United States stand?

LONDON — Discussions on reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism are gaining momentum, with Caribbean and African nations calling on former colonial powers to engage on the issue.

From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported by mostly European merchants and sold into slavery. Proponents of reparations say slavery’s legacy has caused persistent racial inequalities while opponents say countries shouldn’t be held responsible for historical wrongs. Caribbean nations have urged European countries to formally apologise, cancel debt and provide support for educational, health and cultural programmes, as part of its reparation plan. The African Union is developing its own plan. Here is where some former European colonial powers and the United States stand on reparations.

BRITAIN

Britain transported an estimated 3.2 million people, the most active European country after Portugal. King Charles expressed deep sorrow over slavery in a speech to Commonwealth leaders in 2022 and has welcomed research that will examine the monarchy’s links to slavery. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair also said he was “sorry” for his country’s role in slavery during a 2007 news conference with Ghana’s former President John Kufuor. The Caribbean Community CARICOM calls for a “full formal apology.” But consecutive British governments, like most former colonial powers, have rejected calls for reparations. Some campaigners hoped the new Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer would be open to reparations, but Starmer has said he would like to “look forward” rather than have “very long, endless discussions about reparations on the past”.