Jamaica slavery reparations petition and UK response 2026
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UK legal obligation to redress harms of slavery
Patrick Vernon was knighted in 2026 for his services to racial equality and social justice.
In June, African and Caribbean nations met in Ghana to formulate a plan for reparatory justice.
Most Western countries abstained from the vote on the United Nations resolution, and the United States opposed it.
Jamaica to file slavery reparations petition during UK visit
British merchants enslaved and forcibly transported 600,000 to 1 million Africans to Jamaica between the 17th century and the early 19th century.
Shortly after abolishing slavery in 1833, the UK paid slave owners $27m in compensation, amounting to 40 percent of the Treasury’s annual income.
Olivia Grange said she would not speculate on whether Jamaica was asking the UK to pay reparations for the slave trade.
UK government refuses slavery reparations as Jamaica urges king to act
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the final court of appeal for Jamaica and some other Commonwealth countries and territories.
A United Nations committee concluded last month that countries are legally obliged to consider slavery reparations.
A delegation led by Jamaican Culture Minister Olivia Grange delivered a petition to Buckingham Palace on Monday.