Belize opposition leader wants reparation for slavery
BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) – The leader of Belize’s main opposition, the United Democratic Party (UDP), Shyne Barrow, is urging a move away from the British monarchy, describing the effects of being colonised as a nightmare rather than a fairy-tale for countries that suffered during this period.
“I totally agree that we need to move beyond the monarch. As many of the government ministers have expressed such, I have to commend the Minister of Education for using his platform on the Battle of St George’s Caye Day stage to talk about the horrors of colonial life, colonialism, colonisation,” Barrow said.
The Opposition Leader told reporters that he has observed many countries calling for the crown of England “to return all of the diamonds and all of the jewellery that they stole from the nations that they colonised.
“So this PR to romanticise the British monarchy; this delusional romanticisation by some people is unfortunate, but for me, there is no question, I have no fond memories of colonialism. Certainly, I believe many parts of Belize still suffer from colonialism,” Barrow added.
The issue of severing ties with Britain came to the fore following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, who was buried on Monday. Some Caribbean countries are advocating a move towards republicanism.
Barrow told reporters that certain ethnic groups in Belize suffer more than others because of colonialism.
“People will never get the government that they deserve in Belize because of colonialism. We don‘t need any king or queen as our sovereign. There is no British defence act or pact to guard against Guatemala. If the queen is removed from our dollar, our currency doesn‘t devalue. It is all, I wouldn‘t even say fairy-tale, it is a nightmare that some people just refuse to let end,” Barrow explained.
He is also resolute in his position regarding reparation for countries, especially those in the Commonwealth that were once colonies of England.
“For Belize, that only had all of her wealth extracted, for Belize, where when there was emancipation slave owners were paid but those enslaved were never given anything. I don’t have any fondness, I don’t have any admiration, I have nothing kind to say about the crown.
“Now if (King) Charles were to say, listen we will, because in Barbados when Prime Minister (Mia) Mottley moved to a republic, King Charles was there and he admitted to the crimes of slavery and what a stain on the history of Britain it is. But that is not enough.
“I would like to see King Charles voluntarily move the monarch from the Commonwealth nations and see the Commonwealth nations elect one of their own as maybe the president of the Commonwealth and for King Charles to voluntarily pay the reparations to the Commonwealth, then I could say, oh my goodness, that is someone I admire, who has atoned, who has demonstrated contrition and we can move forward,” the Opposition Leader added.