Jamaicans Call for Slavery Reparations Ahead of British PM Visit

Sir Hilary Beckles, the chairman of a “Reparations Commission”, wrote an open letter asking for money for Jamaica.

Downing Street have always dismissed reparation demands, but now Cameron faces being shunned if he doesn’t address the issue. “The continuing suffering of our people, Sir, is as much your nation’s duty to alleviate as it is ours to resolve in steadfast acts of self-responsibility”.

“The Jamaican economy, more than any other, at a critical moment in your nation’s economic development, fuelled its sustainable growth”. We merely ask that you acknowledge responsibility for your share of this situation and move to contribute in a joint programme of rehabilitation and renewal.

Britain’s imperial legacy is set to overshadow Cameron’s trade trip, during which he will address Jamaica’s parliament, with Mike Henry MP calling on fellow parliamentarians to turn their back on the PM if reparations are not on the agenda.

Professor Verene Shepherd, chair of the National Commission on Reparation, told the Jamaica Gleaner that nothing short of an unambiguous apology from Mr. Cameron would satisfy critics.

However, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘We don’t think reparations are the right approach.

Meanwhile, the prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, will arrive in the island tomorrow as part of an official visit to Jamaica and as a special guest of the Government of Jamaica.

Cameron’s visit to Jamaica and Grenada this week is expected to focus on trade relations, and the prime minister has previously expressed disapproval for any slavery reparations.

“Our relationship should be based on the countries we are today and the opportunities we can generate together, rather than over-relying on the historical ties of the past”.

“Britain wants to be your partner for the future, your partner of choice and I hope my visit can be the start of that”.

Not surprisingly Cameron has refused, a spokesperson for his office said: ” We are talking about issues that are centuries old and taken under a different government when he was not even born”.

Sir Hilary, who is Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, told Cameron that he owed it to Jamaica to give a commitment to reparatory justice that will enable the United Kingdom to play its part in cleaning up the “monumental mess” from slavery and colonialism.