Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Deafening silence on reparations for native genocide and slavery
-committee unable to comply with CARICOM request on Amerindians
By Zena Henry
While the Caribbean is buzzing over the much anticipated approach to Europe in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s quest for reparations, there is a deafening silence here in Guyana on the issue of native genocide and slavery. This is the view of many persons integrally involved or associated with the movement. One most noticeable factor is the lack of representation for the Amerindian people and the lack of resources to effectively gather information for the report.
Caribbean Heads in St. Vincent last March when reparations among other issues were discussed.
CARICOM is preparing so that on June 18 its members will approach Western world powers such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France among others to attain compensation and possibly, create avenues to restore the lives and cultures of those who suffered under the early stages of colonization. The Caribbean countries are also seeking to show Europe ways in which current generations continue to suffer as a result of the past and how racism, among other forms of discrimination, continues due to slavery and the processes of segregation.
Earlier this year, CARICOM made its final call for all nations to get going with their presentations to Europe. A unanimous decision was taken by all countries, including Guyana. Locally, there has been the appointment of a chairman of the committee by President Donald Ramotar. But even as the due date is mere days away, the committee is unable to vigorously engage the public and make known their purpose.
During the first and only public outreach in Linden last May, it was made public the lack of representation for the Amerindians claims and the limited concern that is being shown for the whole process.
It was therefore related when Kaieteur News caught up with committee chairman, Eric Phillips – that they struggled in the information-gathering process. Given the poor records kept by the British, the country’s history was scattered.
“We are not going to be able to comply fully to CARICOM as it relates with indigenous genocide,” Phillips reported. “We are working as hard as possible given the time frame and resources.”
When asked, Phillips said he wrote the Amerindian Affairs Minister last September regarding representation for the indigenous peoples, but to date, there has been no response. This is despite numerous visits to her office where he was repeatedly told that she was unavailable. It was later learnt that the Minister related that no one qualified could be located to full the report on the Amerindians.
“The question to be asked is who is working on indigenous genocide? There is a notable absence of representation. Why is there no support for the activity that government through the President signed on to as a commitment to CARICOM?” Phillips asked.
This is despite Guyana being a member within CARICOM’s subcommittee on reparations.
However, while it is being peddled that in the absence of indentureship Guyana would not have advanced, African slaves worked free for more than two hundred years, research shows. Before that, native Amerindians were at the mercy of European explorers and conquerors. Members of the committee have however urged that to ignore the past events is to ignore the future. CARICOM’s lead official on the project, Dr. Hilary Beckles has stated also that the acceptance of responsibility by Europe is a win for all peoples of the Caribbean.
Guyana seems not to be the only nation facing this deafening silence, as one observer in Trinidad and Tobago, David Muhammad, has also had cause to call out his government for its apparent unconcern for reparations. On his website; ‘the final call’ he pointed out that, “It was ironic that Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar would return home declaring the progress of CARICOM in its discussions on this topic when her Indian government has shown absolutely no interest whatsoever in any kind of compensation for the enslavement of Africans.”
CARICOM is however prepared to take Europe to court for native genocide and slavery. They have hired a British law firm and have warned about their move to the International Court if their demands are not consulted over. Some European countries have already shown resistance, while others say they will hear the Caribbean.
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