14 Caribbean Nations Sue European Countries For Slavery Reparations

14 Caribbean Nations Sue European Countries For Slavery Reparations
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Saint Vincent and Grenadines' Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves speaks during the 68th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on September 27, 2013 in New York City. Over 120 prime ministers, presidents and monarchs are gathering this week for the annual meeting at the temporary General Assembly Hall at the U.N. headquarters while the General Assembly Building is closed for renovations. (Photo by Mary Altaffer-Pool/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Saint Vincent and Grenadines' Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves speaks during the 68th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on September 27, 2013 in New York City. Over 120 prime ministers, presidents and monarchs are gathering this week for the annual meeting at the temporary General Assembly Hall at the U.N. headquarters while the General Assembly Building is closed for renovations. (Photo by Mary Altaffer-Pool/Getty Images)

Fourteen Caribbean nations are suing the governments of the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands for reparations over what the plaintiffs say is the lingering legacy of the Atlantic slave trade.

In a speech Friday at United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves said the European nations must pay for their deeds.

“The awful legacy of these crimes against humanity – a legacy which exists today in our Caribbean – ought to be repaired for the developmental benefit of our Caribbean societies and all our peoples,” Gonsalves said. “The European nations must partner in a focused, especial way with us to execute this repairing.”

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