The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission (CRC) is set to embark on a significant four-day visit to the United Kingdom, commencing July 13, 2026. This mission, concluding on July 16, aims to galvanize international support for reparatory justice and advance the ongoing dialogue on historical injustices. The delegation’s itinerary includes crucial meetings with diplomats, academics, and various civil society organizations, culminating in a pivotal presentation at the UK Parliament.
Advancing the Reparations Agenda Internationally
The primary objective of the CRC’s visit is to foster stronger international alliances and enhance public understanding and engagement concerning reparatory justice. The engagements are being facilitated by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London. This initiative underscores CARICOM’s commitment to its mandate of seeking global solidarity for its reparations agenda.
Key Figures Leading the Delegation
The delegation is spearheaded by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the esteemed Chairman of the CRC. He is accompanied by a distinguished group of officials, including Vice Chairmen Dorbrene O’Marde and Eric Phillips, Vice Chair Professor Verene Shepherd, Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong, and Dr. Ron Daniels, who convenes the United States-based National African Reparations Commission. Their collective expertise and influence are expected to significantly bolster the commission’s efforts during the visit.
Strategic Importance and Global Momentum
This UK visit is strategically timed as part of the CRC’s preparations for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda. The commission highlighted several recent global developments that have amplified the international movement for reparations, lending further weight to their advocacy.
Recent International Milestones
- United Nations Resolution: The CARICOM Reparations Commission noted the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution, spearheaded by Ghana, that unequivocally declared the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and the subsequent system of chattel slavery as the “gravest crime against humanity.” This landmark resolution was adopted in March 2026.
- Ghana Conference on Reparations: The commission also pointed to the High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparations, hosted by Ghana in Accra in June 2026. This event was hailed as a “historic turning point for Africans and people of African descent.”
- Revised CARICOM Ten-Point Plan: Momentum has also been significantly boosted by the recent endorsement by CARICOM Heads of Government of the revised CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice: A Manifesto for the Coming Enlightenment. This plan positions reparations as a fundamental “global human rights imperative.”
Engagements in the United Kingdom
During their four-day mission, the CRC delegation is scheduled for a series of high-profile engagements. These include meetings with CARICOM and African Union ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in the UK. A public roundtable discussion at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies will provide a platform for broader engagement with academics and civil society.
