A high-level delegation representing the Government of Jamaica were in the London to file a petition on slavery reparations with King Charles.

The delegation is led by Olivia Grange MP, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, who has been campaigning about the need for reparatory justice for several years.

The petition was filed on Monday, 7th September asked King Charles – as Jamaica’s Head of State – to refer three specific questions about transatlantic chattel slavery to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

“The petition filing is a milestone moment in Jamaica’s history. As members of the Commonwealth, our citizens are exercising their right to petition the King to ask him to refer the issue of slavery reparations to the Privy Council. “We look forward to a positive programme of engagement around this issue.”

The petition is a landmark move in the growing reparations movement, as it is the first time a Commonwealth State will use this legal route for the cause of reparatory justice.

The Government of Jamaica has been building the legal case underpinning the petition for the past five years, working with legal advisors in both Jamaica and the UK.  

There will also be a programme of events in London which have been organised to coincide with the petition filing.