A complete abstract from her:
History calls upon us not only to remember, but to act. The pursuit of justice, equality and dignity demands the courage to confront the injustices of the past and the responsibility to build a fairer future for generations to come.
Today, in Antigua and Barbuda, I was honoured to attend, alongside His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and my dear husband, the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
This year’s summit is particularly significant as reparations take centre stage in the global conversation.
The time has come for the world to confront the enduring consequences of slavery, colonialism and historical exploitation. Their impact continues to shape inequalities and limit opportunities, particularly across Africa and the Caribbean.
Reparations are not about dwelling on the past; they are about acknowledging historical injustices, pursuing accountability and advancing healing, restoration and justice.
The world cannot genuinely champion equality and shared prosperity while ignoring the historical injustices that helped create today’s global inequalities.
This conversation is imperative now because justice delayed must not become justice denied. We owe it to past generations, those living with the consequences today, and generations yet unborn.
The pursuit of reparatory justice is ultimately a pursuit of dignity, fairness and a more equitable world for all.
WE ARE FATIMA.
FMB
