Research shows that 60% of people in the UK back the idea of apologizing for slavery

The Repair Campaign launched a petition calling for reparations for Caribbean nations and descendants of enslaved people in the UK, with 60% of people agreeing that a formal apology should be issued for the horrors of transatlantic chattel slavery. The research conducted in February 2024 showed strong understanding of the concept of reparatory justice, with 64% of people familiar with the idea of making amends for the UK’s historic involvement in slavery. Four in 10 people also agreed that financial compensation should be provided to Caribbean nations to address the legacy of slavery and colonialism.

Denis O’Brien, the architect of The Repair Campaign, emphasized the importance of starting with an apology and highlighted the need for the UK Government to acknowledge the role it played in slavery. O’Brien noted that the wealth generated from slavery was a result of free labor and resources, and there is growing support for reparations among the public. Laura Trevelyan, a trustee of the Trevelyan Grenada Reparations Fund, expressed optimism about the findings and called for continued efforts to secure justice for the descendants of enslaved Africans as the campaign for reparatory justice expands.

Professor Verene Shepherd, director of the Centre for Reparation Research at The University of the West Indies, emphasized the ongoing impact of slavery on the descendants of enslaved Africans, highlighting the need for former colonial powers like Britain to take responsibility for their actions. She called for full and formal apologies, not just statements of regret, and urged the adoption of the Caricom Ten Point Plan as a blueprint for addressing the atrocities of slavery. The research was commissioned by The Repair Campaign and conducted by Walnut Omnibus, surveying 2016 adults across Great Britain in February 2024.

The support for reparations and formal apologies for the legacy of slavery in the UK indicates a growing awareness and recognition of the ongoing impact of historical injustices. With the abolition of slavery in Britain 190 years ago, the next decade is seen as crucial for securing justice for the descendants of enslaved Africans who suffered at the hands of the UK’s involvement in the slave trade. As the campaign for reparatory justice gains momentum, there is hope that support for apology and reparations will become more widespread, leading to greater acknowledgment of the past and efforts to address the present-day legacies of slavery.

The call for reparations and apologies is framed within the context of acknowledging the crimes against humanity committed through the trafficking and enslavement of Africans, in which Britain played a significant role. The demand for formal apologies and reparations from former colonial powers is seen as a necessary step towards healing and addressing the historical injustices inflicted on millions of individuals. By recognizing the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade and taking concrete actions to make amends, there is a potential for reconciliation and a strengthening of connections between communities in the UK and the Caribbean region.