Raising consciousness of reparations is a win by itself - Dr. Hilary Brown

Raising consciousness of reparations is a win by itself – Dr. Hilary Brown

Jun 23, 2014 News

Raising the consciousness of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) nationals about possible compensation for Native Genocide and Slavery is, by itself, a win.
Those were the sentiments expressed by Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development Dr. Hilary Brown during her presentation on the matter at the Twenty-Second Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC) held at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana last week.
During the three-day event, Dr. Brown highlighted that the result expected from the submission for reparations was a development programme for the countries affected. She said the issue was about redress and healing and addressing the “legacy that has left our people behind”.
Dr. Brown said that the hope was for engagement of CARICOM people which should result in psychological healing and further emancipation from mental slavery. She also outlined that the approach to be taken would be a diplomatic one involving engagement of the Europeans before taking the matter to the level of an international court of justice.
The Regional Cultural Committee also delved into other issues such as the drafting of a development strategy for cultural industries in CARICOM. A status report was given on the design for a professional development plan for emerging young talent being done by Dr. Paloma Mohamed. A full report is expected to be submitted to the Committee on the matter within the next 10 days.
The Regional Cultural Committee has been instrumental in shaping cultural policy at the national and regional levels, by advising Ministers of Culture on the many issues on the Region’s agenda and infusing the regional culture programme with new ideas, new approaches and new attitudes.
Each CARICOM member state is expected to submit their reports regarding the affairs of native genocide and slavery which would have occurred in their homeland. Guyana’s reparations committee had explained that their draft documents would have been completed by June 18.
Head of the local committee, Eric Phillips, had told Kaieteur News that the organization was in the comment phase where the input of various agencies and personage was being sought. He said that they are in the compilation and writing stage and at the same time seeking input from the relevant local groups to be incorporated in the findings.
Phillips added that the group was also going to circulate documents that were written to relevant experts to get their comments so that could also be incorporated.
There are four specific areas highlighted in the Terms of Reference (TOR), and so far, Phillips noted, the Guyana committee has completed it. The four TORs include a correct historical narrative which speaks to the events of genocide and slavery. This is being spearheaded by committee member Jonathan Adams.
Phillips is spearheading the other three terms to be addressed; linking past discrimination to present day inequality, defining present day equality and how it exists and to show the influence of European policies and its effects on current day.
CARICOM is expected to meet from July 1, to the fourth, and they will decide on the way forward.
The regional body will approach Europe on talks of monetary compensation, among other forms of redress, if Europe fails to take the approach seriously, CARICOM has warned about stepping to the International Court.

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Raising consciousness of reparations is a win by itself – Dr. Hilary Brown

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