Vice-Chancellor of UWI Urges UN to Back Reparatory Justice Programme

Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, urged the United Nations to support a reparatory justice program and end colonization within the Caribbean. He emphasized that many Caribbean islands are still colonies of European countries such as Britain, France, and the Dutch. Sir Beckles called for a recommitment to decolonization as part of the reparatory justice program to bring an end to the historical crime of colonization in the region. He highlighted the genocidal impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the Caribbean, particularly citing the case of Barbados where the enslaved African population drastically decreased over 200 years.

Sir Beckles also called attention to the ongoing effects of slavery and colonization, stressing the need for reparatory justice to address the historical injustices faced by African people. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging and healing the wounds of history through reparations and compensation for those who have suffered as a result of colonization, apartheid, and slavery. The Vice Chancellor highlighted the resilience and courage of the people of Haiti, who were punished for being the first country to end slavery and were forced to pay reparations for their defiance against their enslavers.

The International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Slavery, designated by the UN in 2007, serves as a reminder of the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the ongoing legacy of slavery and colonization. March 25, the date when the Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807, marks the official outlawing of the slave trade in the British Empire. Vice Chancellor Beckles used this occasion to call on the global community to acknowledge and address the historical injustices committed against African people, and to work towards a more equitable and just future for all of humanity.

Sir Beckles highlighted the need for the Western world to acknowledge and repent for the crimes of enslavement and colonization, emphasizing that the effects of these atrocities continue to impact society today. He called for sincere apologies and development compensation for those who have suffered from the legacies of slavery and colonization, stating that only through a reparatory justice framework can sustainable economic, social, and moral development be achieved. The Vice Chancellor urged for a collective effort to heal the wounds of history and ensure that the injustices of the past are not repeated in the present and future.

In conclusion, Vice Chancellor Beckles’ address at the UN General Assembly underscored the importance of reparatory justice in addressing the historical injustices of slavery and colonization in the Caribbean and beyond. He called for a global commitment to decolonization and reparations as a means to achieve a more equitable and just society for all. The Vice Chancellor’s powerful words serve as a reminder of the ongoing impact of slavery and colonization on communities around the world, and the urgent need for reparatory justice to heal the wounds of the past and build a more just and inclusive future for all.