The Government of The Bahamas welcomes the statement by the Government of the United Kingdom expressing its openness to dialogue on the question of an apology for slavery.
We acknowledge the efforts of Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in advancing the prospect of a respectful and constructive dialogue on this important historical and moral issue. We also recognise the work undertaken by Sir Keir Starmer in advancing this matter at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in 2024.
This development must be understood within the context of a broader and increasingly significant international recognition of the historical injustices of slavery and the imperative of reparatory justice.
In March 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/80/250, which recognises the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. This landmark resolution represents an important development in international recognition of the scale, brutality and enduring consequences of the enslavement of Africans. It also calls upon us to engage in inclusive, good-faith dialogue on reparatory justice, including consideration of a full and formal apology and other appropriate measures of redress.
The Commonwealth has also played an important role in advancing this conversation. At the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, our leaders agreed that the time had come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation on reparatory justice, recognising the shared historical experiences of member states and the enduring consequences of slavery, colonialism and other forms of exploitation.
We look to the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda as a further opportunity to build on that agreement, advance the conversation and give continued expression to the Commonwealth’s commitment to a common future founded on equity, mutual respect and an honest appreciation of our shared history.
The histories of The Bahamas, the wider Caribbean and the United Kingdom are deeply and inextricably intertwined through the institution of slavery, its abolition and its enduring consequences. The wealth accumulated through the exploitation of enslaved Africans contributed significantly to the development of Britain and other economies, while leaving profound and lasting social, economic and institutional consequences across our region.
The Bahamian experience is an important part of this shared history. The islands of Long Cay and Crooked Island were significant contributors to the cotton production that supplied British mills during the era of slavery. The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Poor Black Kate, remembered as a national heroine, stand as a sobering reminder of the cruelty and human suffering endured by enslaved people in the cotton fields of The Bahamas.
Against this historical and international backdrop, we welcome the willingness of the United Kingdom to engage in dialogue. We regard this as a constructive development and an opportunity to move forward in a spirit of honesty, mutual respect and a shared recognition of the importance of confronting this history.
The Bahamas approaches this dialogue with a clear understanding that the issue is not simply one of historical remembrance. It concerns the enduring consequences of slavery and the importance of justice, acknowledgement and meaningful redress for the generations of Africans and their descendants who continue to live with its legacy.
We must all meet the moment. The international community has made important progress in acknowledging this history and establishing a framework for meaningful engagement. The responsibility now rests with us to ensure that these developments translate into purposeful dialogue, genuine understanding and substantive outcomes.
The Bahamas looks forward to engaging constructively with the United Kingdom and our Commonwealth partners in advancing this important work.