Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is leading a renewed call for slavery reparations with a proposal that places Black women and generational healing at the center of the conversation. Speaking at a major conference in Ghana, Mottley unveiled a new manifesto that outlines the moral, ethical, and legal case for reparatory justice.
The announcement comes at a significant moment. Earlier this year, the United Nations adopted a resolution proposed by Ghana that declared the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity. Mottley described the gathering in Ghana as a historic opportunity to advance the global reparations movement.
Mia Mottley Unveils New Slavery Reparations Manifesto
Mottley’s proposal updates the Caribbean Community’s long-standing 10-point reparations plan. The revised document expands the conversation by addressing issues that supporters say have not received enough attention in previous discussions.
One of the most notable additions is its focus on the experiences of women and girls during slavery. The manifesto argues that reparations should account for the unique forms of violence and exploitation many enslaved women endured.
The document also presents reparations as a pathway toward healing. Rather than focusing solely on financial compensation, it frames reparatory justice as a broader effort to address centuries of harm and inequality.
Black Women and Gender-Based Violence Take Center Stage
A key feature of the updated plan is its call for compensation related to gender-based violence. The document cites estimates showing that women made up approximately 30% of the estimated 20 million Africans forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean.
The proposal also references estimates that roughly 1.2 million enslaved women experienced sexual violence. Supporters argue that these realities must be acknowledged as part of any meaningful reparations framework.
Speaking about the issue, Mottley said, “The compensation for gender-based violence and assault on family” is “no different from the compensation that has been awarded to other nationalities such as the Japanese.”
By highlighting these experiences, the proposal seeks to ensure that Black women’s stories are included in conversations about historical justice.
Caricom Reparations Plan Expands Beyond Financial Compensation
The updated manifesto goes beyond traditional discussions of slavery reparations. It argues that climate justice and reparatory justice are closely connected and should be addressed together.
The proposal also calls for support for Indigenous communities in the Caribbean. It notes that many Indigenous people faced genocide and displacement following European colonization.
According to the document, Caricom is seeking compensation from nations, institutions, monarchies, corporations, churches, and families that benefited from slavery. The proposal cites loss of life, unpaid labor, loss of liberty, personal injury, mental suffering, and gender-based violence among the harms that deserve redress.
While the manifesto does not specify a financial figure, it describes itself as a collective vision for achieving reparatory justice.
United Nations Resolution Strengthens Global Reparations Movement
Momentum for reparations has grown following the United Nations General Assembly vote earlier this year. The resolution declared the trafficking of enslaved Africans the gravest crime against humanity and called for reparations as a way to address historical wrongs.
The measure passed with support from 123 member states. Three countries voted against it, while dozens abstained from the vote.
The resolution also called for the return of cultural items, artworks, archives, and historical artifacts to their countries of origin. Supporters view the move as an important step toward restoring cultural heritage and historical dignity.
For advocates, the vote signals growing international recognition of the lasting effects of slavery.
Mia Mottley Calls for Courage and Healing
Mottley used her speech in Ghana to challenge world leaders to confront the legacy of slavery more openly. She argued that society often condemns many forms of injustice while avoiding a full reckoning with centuries of enslavement.
“We have not found the moral courage to state unanimously across humanity that this grave crime against humanity that persisted for centuries ought to be declared so by all,” she said.
She also emphasized that the movement is rooted in healing rather than conflict.
“The language used from this platform this morning is not one of aggression, is not one of violence but it is one of the necessities for healing for humanity,” Mottley said.
Her remarks reflected a broader goal of seeking recognition, accountability, and repair for generations affected by slavery.
Growing Demand for Reparatory Justice
Caribbean governments have been advocating for reparations since 2013. The updated manifesto represents the latest effort to strengthen that campaign and broaden its focus.
By highlighting the experiences of Black women, Indigenous communities, and descendants of enslaved Africans, the proposal aims to create a more inclusive framework for justice.
As global discussions continue, Mottley’s leadership is helping keep the issue at the forefront. Her renewed push underscores the belief that addressing historical wrongs remains essential to building a more equitable future.
