The chief reparations committee for Caribbean nations has urged the United Kingdom to return the British Virgin Islands and demanded that King Charles support the decolonization of remaining British overseas territories, as reported by The Guardian.
During a visit to London, the Caricom Reparations Commission warned of a global resurgence of colonization, identifying the Caribbean as the most colonized region in the world.
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The commission recently launched a new manifesto focusing on the moral, ethical, and legal arguments for reparative justice and decolonization.
David Comissiong, Barbados’ ambassador to Caricom, stated during a briefing in London that decolonization is now a key demand within the new manifesto.
British overseas territories, including Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos, maintain internal self-governance but remain under the authority of UK-appointed governors.
These UK-appointed officials retain control over crucial matters such as defense, international affairs, security, and specific legal issues.
Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of the commission, emphasized that the ongoing colonization of the Caribbean must come to an end.
"We are saying to the world and to the United Nations," he said, "bring an end to colonisation, because if we do not bring it into the framework of reparatory justice, we might see a resurgence of colonisation elsewhere."
Beckles pointed to global military interventions as early indicators of this resurgence, warning that power could lead back to systemic colonization.
"We object to the fact that when we leave our independent islands and we arrive in Martinique, there's a sign at the airport that says, 'Welcome to France'."
