JAMAICA | PNP supports call for an apology from the Royal Family for their role in Trans-Atlantic Slavery

Kingston, Jamaica: The Opposition PNP says it agrees that a fitting way for the Royals to begin their visit to Jamaica, would be to offer an authentic and profound apology for the role played by their family in the Slave Trade, chattel slavery and the plantation system, as well as a public acknowledgement that the Royal Family benefited from it.

A statement from the PNP noted that it also agrees that such an apology and acknowledgement would be an appropriate way for the British Monarchy to commence the process of atonement for their role in this aspect of our history.

The Party explained that it has been made aware of the impending visit of TRH the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, and the Leader of the Opposition has been invited by the Government of Jamaica to participate in various events during the visit, including their arrival at the airport, a visit to his constituency and a state dinner.

The statement observed that the Opposition has been consistent:

• in repeatedly calling on the Government to commence and diligently pursue, with bipartisan support, the constitutional process for Jamaica to become a republic by replacing the British monarch with a Jamaican as our Head of State; and
• in our support for the Reparations Movement in the struggle for reparatory justice in respect of the genocide of indigenous peoples and the horrific injustices inflicted on peoples of African descent during the centuries of the slave trade, chattel slavery and the plantation system in Jamaica and other countries.

It is in the interests of the Jamaican people that the Opposition be present & able to make our views on these fundamental issues known to the Royals. Constructive dialogue is the best way to move this process forward, and attending these events provides an opportunity for this. pic.twitter.com/qX5qzRi3i4

— Mark J. Golding (@MarkJGolding) March 21, 2022

Given his constitutional office, the Leader of the Opposition has decided that the Opposition should be present at the events to which we have been invited, one of which will be in his constituency.

Opposition leader Mark Golding said – “It is in the interests of the Jamaican people that the Opposition be present and able to make our views on these fundamental issues known to the Royals. Constructive dialogue is the best way to move this process forward, and attending these events provides an opportunity for this. The issues at hand are not about current personalities, but rather about the imperative of a principled reckoning with the past, and I intend to communicate directly our position on these issues.”

William and Kate, the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on Tuesday.

The week long royal tour of Central America and the Caribbean that began on Saturday was taken at the behest of the queen, who is William's grandmother. The trip aims to strengthen Britain's ties with Commonwealth countries, but it's off to a rocky start and comes as some countries consider cutting ties to the monarchy like the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados did in November.

Local opposition forced the royal couple to cancel a visit to a cacao farm in Belize that was planned for Saturday, while the upcoming trip to Jamaica has angered some who say they are still waiting for an apology and slavery reparations.

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