Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne shakes hands with Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chair of CARICOM, Andrew Holness.
Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, emphasized that the pursuit of reparations is fundamentally a matter of justice for those who were exploited without compensation for their labor.
During a recent leaders’ summit for the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Caribbean leaders expressed their unwavering support for Jamaica’s petition to King Charles regarding reparations for slavery
“We must be able to fight for justice because not only were our forebears exploited in terms of not being paid, but the profits that were generated were repatriated to Europe and North America to build out their economies, leaving our countries bereft of important social institutions, hospitals, schools, and sufficient infrastructure,” Browne states
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the region has rallied behind this initiative, highlighting the petition’s significance as a “watershed moment for Caricom and the broader global movement for reparatory justice.”
The petition requests King Charles to seek legal advice from the judicial committee of the London-based Privy Council concerning the legality of the forced transport of Africans to Jamaica and whether it constitutes a crime against humanity.
If successful, Holness asserted that the United Kingdom would bear a legal obligation to provide reparations to Jamaica and its people for the lasting harm caused by slavery.
So who benefits directly from the reparations? Do we even know who the descendents of those slaves were?
I support justice, but how realistic is this? Would King Charles really act on this petition? Still, it sends a powerful message.
Caricom should keep Haiti in mind too, we’ve been paying reparations to France, not receiving them. This struggle is wider than one country.
This is a crucial step forward. When Caribbean nations stand united on the issue of reparations, their collective voice becomes undeniably stronger on the international stage.
Seriously people! Is any Western country about to tank their economies based on what their ancestors did? Think about it . Only God will bring justice for what our ancestors experienced but no court in the land would ever agree to reparations as it opens a door to charges discrimination to nearly all ethnic groups by the hands of Anglo Saxons.
This is an exercise in futility as Jamacia and Barbados are claiming trillions of dollars/ pounds. Do you really think the British tax payers would approve of their funds being used in such a fashion when there are homeless people in their own country?
Can the Privy Council set up to advise the King/Monarchy then petition King Charles? That petition would be overturned by Parliament if it ever got that far.
The Privy Council is a body that advises the monarch, and while it can issue Orders in Council, these are generally used for specific delegated powers or prerogative matters, not to override parliamentary legislation. Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the UK, and its laws are not subject to being overruled by the Privy Council.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Parliamentary Sovereignty:
In the UK, the principle of parliamentary sovereignty means that Parliament has the ultimate authority to make laws, and no other body can overrule its decisions.
Privy Council’s Role:
The Privy Council advises the monarch on various matters, including the approval of Orders in Council.
Orders in Council:
These are legal instruments issued by the monarch on the advice of the Privy Council. They can be used to implement existing legislation, delegate powers, or address specific areas not covered by primary legislation, but they do not have the power to repeal or override Acts of Parliament.
Historical Context:
While the Privy Council once held more power, particularly in the medieval period, its role has evolved, and it no longer has the authority to overrule Parliament.
Constitutional Safeguards:
The UK constitution relies on conventions and legal principles to ensure a balance of power, and the supremacy of Parliament is a fundamental aspect of this