“Apology without repair incomplete” – Caricom

…as UK PM says “open” to formal apology on slavery, but stops short at reparations

On Saturday the Caribbean Community in a statement said that it has taken careful note of the remarks by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggesting a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans but finds “an apology without repair incomplete”, after the UK PM stopped short at financial reparations.

Prime Minister Burnham while giving his remarks in The Guardian ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, beginning today, Sunday, had expressed personal sorrow and regret for the suffering caused by slavery, and its continuing effects on the world today. He said that he is “open” to a formal apology on behalf of the British state, and offered a “structured dialogue” with those affected, but ruled out reparations.