GEORGETOWN,
Guyana, February 12, 2013 – Principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the University
of the West Indies (UWI), Sir Hilary Beckles, wants Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) countries to begin efforts aimed at seeking some form of reparation
from Western countries for slavery.
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| PROFESSOR HILARY BECKLES |
Speaking
at the first of a series of lectures to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of
the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt, Sir Hilary said an ongoing discussion was needed
to address the issue and called for an “informed and sensible conversation” on
what has been described as the, “Worst Crime against humanity”.
The
lecture titled, “Britain’s Black Debt: reparations owed the Caribbean for
Slavery and Indigenous Genocide”, examined the damage done and wealth created
through the slave trade particularly by Britain. Sir Hilary said out that
reparation is not about people getting handouts, but about repairing historical
damage and how to find a way forward.
He
said that while all races experienced some form of slavery, African slavery was
unique in its scope and brutality. Comparative studies note that it was the
only system of slavery in which people were viewed legally as property and seen
as non- humans.
African
slavery was also unique in that it reproduced itself, meaning the children of slaves
were born as slaves, they had no rights, and females in particular were seen as
the prefect property since their offspring would add their value.
Sir
Hilary said landmark cases such as the 1781 Zong Massacre in which 350 slaves
were thrown to sharks after the ship’s captain went off course, helped to shape
the discussion on the legality of slavery.
He
said the issue of slavery has in recent years been viewed as a crime against
humanity and these types of crimes have attracted calls for reparation for
victims, in various forms.
He
cited the case of Haiti noting Western countries had no qualms about requesting
and obtaining compensation. Haiti had to pay, from 1825 to 1922, 150 million
gold francs to France after its slave population fought and successfully gained
its freedom.
Sir
Hilary argued that Haiti has never been able to recover from that payment,
which was needed for it to gain international recognition.
Sir
Hilary urged Caribbean countries to emulate the position adopted by the Jews
who were prosecuted during the Second World War and have since organised the
Jewish Reparation Fund.
He
said that through meticulous research, the organisation has been able to garner
financial support for its claims against several countries for atrocities committed
against Jews. These funds have been used to enhance the State of Israel in
various means.
Sir
Hilary said that countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan and New
Zealand have put measures in place as part of their efforts to give reparation to
indigenous peoples or war victims, yet there has been no similar move by
CARICOM on behalf of its people.
He
said the benefits accrued to many of the now powerful Western nations through
slavery have been documented and accepted, citing the cases of the aristocracy
in England, the Lloyds and Barclays’ banks which built massive fortunes through
their involvement with the slave trade.
Yet
many of these same countries have not been willing to offer any apologies for
slavery, but instead have grudgingly given “expressions of regret”, an
acknowledgment that falls short of an apology,” Sir Hilary said.
He
said CARICOM has to come together to find a way to address the issue, one which
will lead to peace, justice, reconciliation and future harmony. (CMC)
http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/guyana_news/665206.html
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