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King Charles acknowledges Commonwealth’s ‘painful’ history with slavery on summit agenda

King Charles said on Friday the Commonwealth should acknowledge its “painful” history, as African and Caribbean nations continue to advocate for reparations for the country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Representatives of 56 countries, most with roots in Britain’s empire, are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that began in Samoa on Monday, with slavery and the threat of climate change emerging as major themes.

“I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” Charles said in a speech to the summit.

“It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history, to guide us towards making the right choices in future.”

The demand for Britain to pay reparations or make other amends for transatlantic slavery is a long-standing one, but has recently gained momentum worldwide, particularly among the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union.

Opponents of reparations payments say countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in favour say the legacy of slavery has led to vast and persistent racial inequality today.

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