KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission (CRC), Sir Hilary Beckles has sought to distance the body from a Caribbean group visiting the United Kingdom and the European Union with a reparations agenda.
Sir Hilary Beckles (File Photo)Beckles, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), said that there has been much media reporting referencing the group’s visit to Europe including “statements to the effect that these individuals, comprising a few from the Caribbean but mostly Europeans, will engage in reparations conversations with political officials and civil society groups”.
Beckles said that as a consequence, the CRC has received several requests for interviews and comments, necessitating a statement to clarify the situation for the betterment of all concerned.
“These persons who have arrived in Europe are neither members of the CRC nor formally affiliated,” he said, adding that “for over a decade, the CRC has been actively promoting reparatory justice campaigns on a global basis and has adopted an open-tent policy approach to facilitate broad-based advocacy”.
He said that through mutual agreements and formal Memoranda of Understanding, the CRC has partnered with many organisations, including universities, churches, families and financial institutions.
Professor Beckles said that the CRC has recently received approval from the CARICOM leaders “to inaugurate a European public relations campaign to share its vision of reparations with political stakeholders and the general public.
“It is actively working on the design of the same. Supporting the historic grassroots movement with government support, the CRC is deeply mindful of its complex diplomatic role and public responsibility in shaping the regional and global movement,” Beckles added.
