King Charles confirms Commonwealth summit will discuss slavery legacy
Briefing by News4U · First published
As he began a Caribbean tour in the Bahamas, King Charles said Commonwealth leaders will discuss the legacy of slavery at next week’s summit in Antigua and Barbuda. A Bahamas reparations group said his remarks still fall short of a full apology.
King Charles has confirmed he will discuss the legacy of slavery at a summit with Commonwealth leaders as he begins his Caribbean tour, The Guardian reported. He arrived in the Bahamas to a ceremonial welcome and attended a youth rally at Clifford Park. [1]
Charles’s nine-day tour includes a solo state visit to Guyana and culminates in him presiding over the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) hosted by Antigua and Barbuda. In a Bahamas speech on Tuesday he said some of what is best in Bahamian culture “was born out of darkness,” and that it is “only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering of the past.” He said Chogm leaders would discuss matters relating to the legacy of slavery next week in Antigua. [1]
The Bahamas National Reparations Committee said the king’s Tuesday comments “fall short of what justice requires,” calling for a full and formal apology and steps to remedy wrongs. Chair Dr Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean told The Guardian the words felt “like hollow platitudes.” The Guardian reported it is understood the British government has not advised him to offer an apology or reparations. [1]
Sources
- King Charles to discuss legacy of slavery with Commonwealth leaders at summit
The Guardian · · Full text