GUYANA IS demanding reparations from those who “profited” from the enslavement of African people.
President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali said his government remain committed to fighting for reparations from those who were “complicit in” and “profited from” slavery.
The president’s remarks come as the landmark Brattle Report found that Britain owes a staggering £18.9 trillion in reparations for its role in slavery.
Mr Ali said: “My government remains committed to the struggle for reparations for the crime of African enslavement.
“We demand that those who were complicit in and who profited from the trade in captive Africans and African enslavement pay just reparations.”
The president noted that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been a major player in demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans.
“Within the region, there has been a concerted effort to seek both the acknowledgement of and redress for the injustices inflicted as a result of the slave trade and slavery,” he said.
‘Crime against humanity’
Last month, at a two-day meeting with leaders of the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Brussels, the EU described slavery as a “crime against humanity”.
Mr Ali described the summit as a significant step forward and noted that Africans who were enslaved in Guyana laid foundations for the country’s freedom.
“It is that freedom and African achievement which we celebrate today, Emancipation Day. As we do so, let us never forget that this freedom was attained at a high price,” Mr Ali said.
He added that African enslavement represents, “one of the darkest chapters in human history and a permanent stain on our civilisation.”
In 2022, Sky News reported that Guyana’s president demanded a ‘meaningful apology’ from Britain for its role in the transatlantic slave trade after meeting then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
During his Emancipation Day message Mr Ali, also paid tribute to African-Guyanese contributions to the country.
He also added his government will be emphasising the building of “One Guyana”, which is an inclusive nation.
On Emancipation Day in London, hundreds of people marched through London demanding reparations for slavery.
The annual Afrikan Emancipation Day Reparations Day March, was held on August 1, in Brixton, south London, and is now in its tenth year.
This year’s event included a march through Brixton from Windrush Square and a three minute silence in remembrance of African ancestors who died during slavery.
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15 Comments
Marvellous.
If Parliament see fit to apologise to Ireland for the potato famine; to unmarried mothers, to homosexual in the military, and to pay £75m to honour Caucasian-Jewry’s inter-war oppression.
Then England’s Parliament ought to gladly welcome the opportunity of repenting; atoning and offering worthy restitution, to African-Caribbean people: whose ancestors’ brutal two hundred years of forced free labour is the source of England’s raise to global power and global prestige.
I am a tri national of guyana.if this president is sincere of his views about slavery, then I am on his side 100%. God bless guiana.
The leader of Guyana is right to seek a “meaningful apology” and redress for these “crimes against humanity”. The same must be done in other nations as well to honor the families of the descendants of enslaved people! What a great way to close the gap between the rich and the poor. Historically ( in the United States), the descendants of enslaved people have been trapped in generational poverty and the promises of 40 acres and a mule have gone Unpaid.
It is SHAMEFUL that Britain has treated this INHUMANE INJUSTICE of my ANCESTORS as a way to secure WEALTH they should be held RESPONSIBLE for the CHEAP LABOR our ANCESTORS has ENDURED nd PAY the DECENDANTS of SLAVERY what is OWED for their FREE LABOR nd HORRIBLE TREATMENT FOR YEARS
But our people will not see any of the monies that you’re fighting for.
Umana Humana Yana….Non Alignment Movement International Global Organization of Unitarian Pacts .
As a Guyanese I am embarrassed by this nonesense. Nobody today owes reparations for something that happened over 200 years ago. It’s completely ridiculous.
That’s rich coming from a country that keeps black people down and is only interested in the Indian population. Go to all the mainly black villages and see the poverty.
What about the Indian ppl who was abducted from India 2 Guyana 2 slave on the suger plantation,,my g/p was a victim …..I need compensation.
Agree! It’s been too long about time to pay up.Even that amount is not enoug.Remember the wrath of God on Pharaoh and his cronies. “BEAWARE’.
President Ali,
Thank you so much for your leadership in Guyana. While you are advocating reparation for African ancestors
We must also seek reparation the enslavement of Indians ancestors from India. Thank you sir.
Who asked this clown to interfere. None of his business.
Yes Sir,President Ali..all in order..
What about the East Indian people they went through worst during that period.
Can someone please tell me where will Britain get 18.9 trillion pounds to satisfy this slavery issue? This debate will continue without a resolution although I wish that something could be done but Britain is insolvent except for the King and the Royals.
However, there is a much smaller matter that Britain can accomplish quite easily.
Let Guyana and Guyanese get our Artifacts back from the British Museums.
These artifacts were taken/stolen because they thought that they could do what they wanted in Guyana. No approval was necessary. They were the bosses.
Now we are wealthy, we can build our own museums in Guyana to display our own artifacts for our people and visitors to see and enjoy.
Mr. President, please reclaim our artifacts and bring them home.