The United Kingdom has rejected Jamaica’s demand for reparations over the transatlantic slave trade, saying it “will not make reparations” for slavery.
The UK government made its position known on Monday after Jamaican Culture Minister Olivia Grange led a delegation to Britain to pursue compensation for the descendants of Africans who suffered under slavery.
“Our position on reparations is clear, the UK does not and will not make reparations,” a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Downing Street office said.
The spokesperson described the transatlantic slave trade as “abhorrent” but said the UK would focus on working with other countries to address present-day challenges.
Jamaica’s delegation is also seeking to present a petition to King Charles, who remains the country’s head of state.
The petition asks the King to refer three questions concerning the legality of the transatlantic slave trade to Jamaica’s highest court of appeal, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
According to the delegation, the move marks the first time a Commonwealth country has used the legal route to pursue slavery reparations.
Buckingham Palace said it was aware that the Jamaican government was seeking a hearing before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
The palace added that King Charles had repeatedly expressed his “personal and wholehearted commitment” to promoting greater understanding of slavery and addressing historic wrongs.
Grange is also expected to meet officials of the British Museum to discuss the possible return of colonial-era artefacts to Jamaica.
Although modern members of the British royal family have expressed remorse over the transatlantic slave trade, they have stopped short of issuing a formal apology or committing to reparations.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to visit the Caribbean later this year, but Jamaica is not included in their nine-day overseas tour.
