Buckingham Palace aware of planned Jamaica petition to King Charles over slavery reparations
Buckingham Palace is reportedly aware of plans by the Jamaican government to petition King Charles for reparations from the United Kingdom over the transatlantic slave trade.
Jamaica’s culture minister, Olivia Grange, stated that the country would request that the British monarch, who is also Jamaica’s head of state, refer questions to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the country’s highest court, over the legality of the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica.
Despite King Charles having no power to make a pronouncement on the issue, the monarch can refer the matter to the JCPC, with the three questions for the court to consider being whether the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica was legal under English law, whether it violated international law, and whether Britain now has a legal duty to provide redress.
“Once we get the answers, or once we get a response to those questions, then the next steps will be determined,” Ms Grange said.
Speaking further, the minister highlighted that the British government was still paying reparations to former slave owners as recently as 2015, stressing that remedy must be provided for the descendants of enslaved people.
“Up to 2015, Britain was paying the slave masters, because we were being considered property. The question really should be: if in modern times we’re still paying back the slave masters for the property that was our people, our ancestors, for property that was because of the abolition of slavery, then why shouldn’t we be pursuing some remedy at this time?” Ms Grange stated.
The immediate request is reportedly not for payment, and Buckingham Palace has been in close discussions with the governor general of Jamaica to ensure the petition is properly lodged with King Charles.
In response, a palace spokesperson pointed to King Charles’ previous comments about his commitment to address historic wrongdoings by Britain.
“His Majesty has on many occasions expressed his personal and wholehearted commitment to promoting greater understanding around the issue of slavery and finding ways to address historic wrongs for the benefit of communities today,” the spokesperson said.
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