Prime Minister Gaston Browne in his speech at the UN General Assembly highlighted that the demand for reparation is not begging.
“Reparation is not aid; it is not a gift; it is compensation to correct the injustices of the past and restore equity.” Browne said.
According to the Prime Minister, reparation is compensation for the damage done to countries, for the reversals in economic gains, and for the additional money spent, to counter further injurious effects of Climate Change, in which little part is played.
He addressed a ‘notion’, that developing countries operate on a premise of blaming rich and powerful nations for their problems, saying, “That notion is extremely flawed, it is very different from reality. Our small nations are not beggars, but where there is injustice, we must fight for justice. Where there is inequity, we must fight for equity.”
“Whereas most countries have access to cheap funding on the capital markets, needy small island states have had to borrow at commercial rates to fund their development. Where is the justice in that ?” Browne asked.
Browne outlined that the underdevelopment and financial vulnerability were created by centuries of exploitation in slavery and bound-labour for which no compensation was made.
He explained that the reason caribbean countries have urged relevant governments in Europe saying it was to repair the debilitating social-economic conditions: the destruction of resources, the dehumanization and genocide of Caribbean people resulting from the slave trade, slavery and the ravages of colonialism.
He concluded that the relevant European nations should provide reparations, not only because, at last, it would compensate for their development on the backs of our people, but because it is the morally correct thing to do to restore equity and justice.
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God has blessed us with a Prime Minister that is not afraid to speak his mind free of fear. And speak the truth at the same time. Many of our Caribbean brothers and sister have already openly said they wish they had a Prime Minister like ours.
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