King Charles urges Commonwealth to address slavery legacy

KING Charles addressed Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday, expressing his growing awareness of the atrocities of slavery and his resolve to rectify historical injustices, but stressed the need to focus on the future, ensuring that "evil need not have the last word". The upcoming meeting of the 56 member states, primarily former British colonies, has been marked by discussions about potential apologies or reparations from Britain for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

Neither the King nor Britain have issued such apologies or initiated reparations talks, yet both have emphasized the Commonwealth's role in addressing current issues through support for climate change, education, and health. In his opening remarks at the summit in Antigua and Barbuda, Charles acknowledged that while past actions cannot be undone, learning from history is crucial.

The King recalled the transatlantic slave trade's lasting impact on the islands and other Commonwealth members, describing it as a "shameful chapter" that fills him with horror and deep sorrow. Prime Minister Andy Burnham echoed these sentiments, pledging to address debt issues for smaller nations and investing £40 million ($54 million) in Caribbean infrastructure over three years.

Burnham also signaled openness to Britain apologizing for slavery, with officials engaging in summit discussions to determine the potential form of such an apology. Recent decades have seen growing calls for countries like Portugal, Britain, and France to contemplate reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, which saw approximately 12.5 million Africans forcibly taken and sold into bondage from the 15th to the 19th century.