The British Government Backs CARICOM/UN Slave Trade Memorial Project

The Untied Nations is fronting a scheme for a permanent memorial to victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

The project, a brainchild of member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) forms part of the UN’s programme to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery. But only time will tell whether Ian McCarthy’s announcement that the Foreign Office had pledged £20,000 towards the permanent memorial, has come close to placating calls in the UK and in the Caribbean for some form of reparation.

However, McCarthy, Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said he was pleased that the UK has been able to work ‘so closely with CARICOM on UN activities marking the bicentenary.’ “It is entirely appropriate” he added “that we come together to commemorate it.” Have your say.