A CARIBBEAN Reparatory Justice Programme (CRJP) has been accepted by the CARICOM Heads of Government as a basis for discussions on reparations from slavery and native genocide.Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made the announcement at a press conference following the Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government, held between March 10 and 11 at Buccament Bay in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
He said the CRJP is a strategic and operational plan which consists of ten points prepared by the Regional Reparations Committee.
Gonsalves explained that a request for a full apology from the Governments of Europe involved in the transatlantic slave trade, the establishment of Caribbean cultural institutions, an education programme, specifically to address illiteracy and debt cancellation, are among the recommendations in the CRJP.
He advised that this action plan would be discussed in further detail by the Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Barbados.
Gonsalves added that the Heads also expressed support for the convening of a conference between Caribbean and European leaders, which would provide an opportunity for in depth discussions on reparatory justice.
Another outcome of the Inter-sessional Meeting was a mandate for the establishment of a Commission that would shape the CARICOM’s Strategy on Human Resource Development.
Gonsalves said the strategy would form the basis for action by Member States and create the framework for the CARICOM Education Agenda.
“We are not starting with a blank slate. We are building upon work which all of us have been engaged in to carry out transformative revolutionary work in the field of education,” he asserted.
Gonsalves said a holistic approach to addressing the challenges was recommended and matters such as enhancing the quality of regional education systems and the creation of a seamless globally competitive network was among the topics discussed.