King Charles opens CHOGM in Samoa, speaks on ‘painful’ past
STORY: :: Britain’s King Charles says the Commonwealth
should acknowledge its ‘painful’ history
:: October 25, 2024
:: Apia, Samoa
“I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate. It is vital therefore that we understand our history, to guide us to make the right choices in the future where inequalities exist for example in access to opportunity, to education, to skills training, to employment, to health and to a planet in whose climate our human race can both survive and thrive, we must find the right ways and the right language to address them.”
The demand for Britain to pay reparations or make other amends for transatlantic slavery is a long-standing one, but has recently gained momentum worldwide, particularly among the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union.
Opponents of reparations payments say countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in favor say the legacy of slavery has led to vast and persistent racial inequality today.
British Prime Minster Kier Starmer said on Monday the country would listen to nations who wanted to discuss the issue at the summit, but ruled out apologizing for the country’s historic role in the trade.
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