Ralph Gonsalves says Kamla Persad-Bissessar gave him full support when he pushed to place reparatory justice for slavery and native genocide firmly on the CARICOM agenda in 2013.
Gonsalves recalled travelling to Port of Spain with documents he had prepared on the issue and discussing the initiative with Persad-Bissessar while she chaired CARICOM.
According to Gonsalves, Persad-Bissessar told him she supported the initiative “100%”. He said her backing mattered because, as CARICOM chair, she could have delayed the matter or kept it off the agenda, potentially creating disagreement among regional leaders.
CARICOM records from July 2013 confirm that Heads of Government unanimously supported action on reparations and agreed to establish national reparations committees and a regional commission structure. Persad-Bissessar, then Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and CARICOM chair, described progress on the issue as a positive outcome. CARICOM +1
Gonsalves said he worked closely with historian Professor Sir Hilary Beckles in preparing the issue for regional consideration, while stressing that support for reparations extended well beyond him personally.
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Gonsalves says Kamla Persad-Bissessar strongly supported putting reparations on the CARICOM regional agenda.
Gonsalves says Kamla Persad-Bissessar strongly supported putting reparations on the CARICOM regional agenda.
Gonsalves says Kamla Persad-Bissessar strongly supported putting reparations on the CARICOM regional agenda.
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