Prime Minister Gaston has made a strong case for the European countries that
benefitted from the centuries-old system of enslavement of African peoples and
their descendants.
In an address to mark Emancipation Day, (today August 01, 2023), PM Browne
was uncompromising in his call for the European benefactors of this dreadful
system to do the right thing, by making amends to the descendants of those upon
whose shoulders they amassed huge wealth.
“The celebration and commemoration of emancipation is also a call to Europe for
reparations. Emancipation recognizes the centuries of enslavement, from the crime
against humanity that robbed us of basic human dignity, which reduced us to
chattel – property, and extracted blood, sweat and tears to provide the wealth that
developed Europe. In these celebrations, we pay respect and homage to our
ancestors – those who bore the whips and chains – those who helped clear the path
to our freedom, through their resistance and sacrifices. It is in their honour – in
their memory – that the nations of this Caribbean – among which Antigua and
Barbuda stands tall – say to Europe, in a non-confrontational manner – “you owe
us – for two hundred years of free labour and you must pay reparations” he
declared.
The prime minister, who also holds the country’s finance portfolio, also called for
a realignment in the world’s financial system to make it less skewed against small
island developing states, such as Antigua and Barbuda.
“Today, we stand proudly as a united region in all global spaces protesting the
unfair financial demands and inequities imposed on us with impunity by the Euro-
American world. Today, we insist on reform of the world’s economic
infrastructure – and most importantly – demanding human rights and justice –
climate justice and reparatory justice,” the prime minister remarked.
The country’s leader drew attention to the fact that the Emancipation observance
falls within the annual carnival celebrations, and he wants everyone to be
cognizant of the meeting of the Emancipation festivities. He also called for an end
to the violence that often accompanies carnival, noting that everyone should be
willing to treat each other as family.
PM Browne also singled out the National Reparation Support Commission for its
decade-long advocacy and he applauded the Commission for its unwavering
promotion of freedom, dignity and human rights, of which reparations is critical.
