Thank you, colleagues.
Let me acknowledge Senator Janice Allen, representing the Leader of the Opposition,
Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General,
Chief Ministers and Ministers of Government,
Members of the Judiciary,
This event to mark the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the “Ark of Return”, is an opportunity to reflect on how music and rhythm have played a role in both resistance and resilience. Drumming holds a special place in this journey.
“While there have been instances of people offering a public apology or even a quantum, as in the case of the Church of England, there has been no face-to-face discussion which we deem as absolutely important because if you can't see me or hear me, it is not appropriate to be able to make a judgment as to who or what I am and what I should receive.” – CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley
For centuries, we have been a resilient people. We are the descendants of those who refused to accept subjugation, the rightful heirs of revolutionary freedom fighters and visionaries. But today, can we say that we have claimed the full potential of our independence? Or are we still tethered to structures that were never built to serve us?
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, The UWI Vice-Chancellor and Chair, CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) has welcomed the recommendation from Jamaica’s Maroon community to establish a new institute to research, document and share the rich history, culture and contribution of Maroon and Indigenous people. The CRC Chair shared this with a large gathering at the opening of the historic symposium on Maroons, held at The UWI West Indies Regional Headquarters (where) on 9 January 2025.
“This achievement reflects the tireless advocacy of our Region and the strides made during the first decade, including global recognition of our ten-point plan for reparatory justice and the establishment of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.”
In observance of International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture and Community Development, CARICOM Secretariat, shares a message on the significance of recommitting to the fight for reparatory justice.
Read her message below:
Excellencies;
Distinguished Participants and Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) will convene a virtual media engagement on 6 July to update the media on recent developments in CARICOM's push for reparatory justice for the historical crimes of native genocide and African enslavement in the Caribbean region.
Barbados has made another step towards the goal of obtaining regional reparations.
This step comes as members of the island’s Reparations Task Force recently presented Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, with an official report on arguments in support of reparations, in his Ministry’s Conference Room at Sky Mall.
After receiving the document, Mr. Lashley noted that he was very pleased to see the work conducted by the Task Force, which was established in 2012.