A prominent Caribbean ambassador has emphasized the urgent need for establishing a new international tribunal to pursue reparations for the enduring impact of transatlantic slavery. Earlier this month, Reuters reported increasing support from African and Caribbean nations for such a tribunal to address the historical injustices of transatlantic slavery, which saw over four centuries of 12.5 million Africans forcibly transported and sold into slavery by European ships and merchants.
David Comissiong, Barbados’ ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and a well-known advocate for reparations, emphasized on the necessity of a specialized tribunal due to the absence of an adequately equipped international court to handle reparations claims of such magnitude and complexity. Speaking at the third session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) in Geneva, Comissiong emphasized the need for a “positive decision” by the U.N. General Assembly, the principal policymaking body of the United Nations.
He urged collective efforts in international advocacy to realize the establishment of this critical institution, rallying support from all quarters. Representatives from other nations, including Guyana and Venezuela, supported Comissiong’s plea during the session.
During the opening of the PFPAD session, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that racism is deeply rooted in centuries of enslavement and colonialism, stressing the importance of reparations as part of broader efforts to combat it.
While the concept of reparations for transatlantic slavery has a contentious history, it has been gaining global traction. However, some challenges of this move include securing the cooperation of nations implicated in transatlantic slavery and navigating the legal complexities of identifying responsible parties as well as determining appropriate remedies.
