Latest news with #PrivyCouncil
The National
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Jamaican government to take fight for slavery reparations to King
Officials for the Commonwealth realm have submitted three 'legal questions' for King Charles to take to the Privy Council – the formal body that advises the British monarch. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, said the filing was on behalf of the people of Jamaica. She said: 'We are taking our demand for reparations from the United Kingdom for the enslavement of our African ancestors into another phase. READ MORE: Irn-Bru owner in advanced talks with potential buyer for drinks brand facing closure 'We will be submitting a petition to His Majesty King Charles III to refer to the Privy Council a set of questions that we want answered within his current position as head of state for Jamaica.' In the submission, officials will ask whether the forced transport of African people from their homelands to their subsequent enslavement in Jamaica was lawful, along with whether the transportation and slavery of people of African descent can be considered 'crimes against humanity under international law for which the UK bears responsibility'. They will also ask 'whether the UK is under an obligation to provide a remedy to the Jamaican people for the unlawful transport and subsequent enslavement of African people in Jamaica under British rule'. During the announcement of the petition at the House of Representatives, Grange said that 'the matter is now with the attorney-general of Jamaica for filing on behalf of the people of Jamaica'. (Image: Temilade Adelaja/PA Wire) Grange added that Jamaican officials had given the matter careful thought and that they had taken 'much into consideration, including positions discussed with us by several legal minds.' Ministers said that the submission to the king was a 'legal approach', separate from the ongoing political discussions about reparations. The king has remained the head of state for the country which has been a Commonwealth realm since gaining independence from Britain in 1962. The Privy Council, which meets to discuss primarily on matters of government, meets once a month and Charles has the authority to refer the questions to the council for consideration. Jamaica's prime minister, Andrew Holness, has often expressed his hope that the country will become a republic, severing ties with the British monarchy. In 2022, during a visit from the Prince and Princess of Wales, then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Holness told them that his country was 'moving on' from the monarchy – leaving the royal family members standing awkwardly during the meeting. In 2009, Jamaica set up the National Committee of Reparations which has been at the forefront of the debate. During the last Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Samoa, countries said that the 'time had come' for a proper conversation on the subject. However, in the run-up to the summit, Keir Starmer ruled out the UK Government paying reparations for Britain's role in the slave trade
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Jamaica to ask King Charles to refer issue of reparations for slavery to UK's privy council
Jamaica will ask King Charles to request legal advice on the issue of slavery reparations from the judicial committee of the privy council, the final court of appeal for UK overseas territories and some Commonwealth nations. Under the Judicial Committee Act of 1833, the king, who remains Jamaica's head of state after the country gained independence from Britain in 1962, has the authority to refer matters to the council for consideration. Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to Jamaica, and many scholars and advocates say the legacy of that period has resulted in or played a role in today's inequities. Calls for reparations are longstanding and moves such as the appeal to King Charles help to keep the topic in the public spotlight. A backlash against it has also been growing, and many of Europe's leaders have opposed even talking about it. Jamaica's culture minister, Olivia Grange, said her government was asking the council to consider whether the forced transport of enslaved Africans to Jamaica and their subsequent enslavement was lawful, and if it constituted a crime against humanity. It is also calling on the council to examine whether Britain is 'under an obligation to provide a remedy' to Jamaica, not only for slavery but also for its enduring consequences. 'We will be submitting a petition to His Majesty King Charles III to refer to the privy council a set of questions that we want answered within his current position as head of state of Jamaica,' Grange said in the Jamaican parliament on Tuesday. Nicola Diggle, an expert in privy council appeals at London law firm Blake Morgan, said the monarch could refer any matter to the council. Lower courts in countries such as Jamaica, where the council is the final court of appeal, can also refer cases. However, it may decide the matter is unsuitable for its opinion. The legal weight of the council's recommendations can vary. They could either be treated as a court judgment or non-enforceable legal opinions. King Charles expressed deep sorrow over slavery in a speech to Commonwealth leaders in 2022 but Britain, like other former colonial powers, has so far rejected demands for reparations. The petition comes after Jamaica's government presented a bill in December to ditch the king as head of state.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jamaica to take fight for slavery reparations to King Charles
By Catarina Demony LONDON (Reuters) -Jamaica will ask King Charles to request legal advice from the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the final court of appeal for UK overseas territories and some Commonwealth nations, on the issue of slavery reparations. Under the Judicial Committee Act of 1833, Charles, who remains Jamaica's head of state after the country gained independence from Britain in 1962, has the authority to refer matters to the council for consideration. Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to Jamaica, and many scholars and advocates say the legacy of that period has resulted in or played a role in today's inequities. Calls for reparations are longstanding and moves such as the appeal to Charles help to keep the topic in the public spotlight. A backlash against it has also been growing, and many of Europe's leaders have opposed even talking about it. Jamaica's culture minister, Olivia Grange, said her government was seeking the council to consider whether the forced transport of enslaved Africans to Jamaica and their subsequent enslavement was lawful, and if it constituted a crime against humanity. It is also calling on the council to examine whether Britain is "under an obligation to provide a remedy" to Jamaica, not only for slavery but also for its enduring consequences. "We will be submitting a petition to His Majesty King Charles III to refer to the Privy Council a set of questions that we want answered within his current position as head of state of Jamaica," Grange said in the Jamaican parliament on Tuesday. Nicola Diggle, an expert in Privy Council appeals at London law firm Blake Morgan, said the monarch could refer any matter to the council. Lower courts in countries such as Jamaica, where the council is the final court of appeal, can also refer cases. However, it may decide the matter is unsuitable for its opinion. The legal weight of the council's recommendations can vary. They could either be treated as a court judgment or non-enforceable legal opinions. Charles expressed deep sorrow over slavery in a speech to Commonwealth leaders in 2022 but Britain, like other former colonial powers, has so far rejected demands for reparations. The petition comes after Jamaica's government presented a bill in December last year to ditch the king as head of state.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Jamaica to take fight for slavery reparations to King Charles
King Charles III is seen in The Queen's Chapel, central London, June 4, 2025. (Aaron Chown/PA, Pool via AP) LONDON - Jamaica will ask King Charles to request legal advice from the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the final court of appeal for U.K. overseas territories and some Commonwealth nations, on the issue of slavery reparations. Under the Judicial Committee Act of 1833, Charles, who remains Jamaica's head of state after the country gained independence from Britain in 1962, has the authority to refer matters to the council for consideration. Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to Jamaica, and many scholars and advocates say the legacy of that period has resulted in or played a role in today's inequities. Calls for reparations are longstanding and moves such as the appeal to Charles help to keep the topic in the public spotlight. A backlash against it has also been growing, and many of Europe's leaders have opposed even talking about it. Jamaica's culture minister, Olivia Grange, said her government was seeking the council to consider whether the forced transport of enslaved Africans to Jamaica and their subsequent enslavement was lawful, and if it constituted a crime against humanity. It is also calling on the council to examine whether Britain is 'under an obligation to provide a remedy' to Jamaica, not only for slavery but also for its enduring consequences. 'We will be submitting a petition to His Majesty King Charles III to refer to the Privy Council a set of questions that we want answered within his current position as head of state of Jamaica,' Grange said in the Jamaican parliament on Tuesday. Nicola Diggle, an expert in Privy Council appeals at London law firm Blake Morgan, said the monarch could refer any matter to the council. Lower courts in countries such as Jamaica, where the council is the final court of appeal, can also refer cases. However, it may decide the matter is unsuitable for its opinion. The legal weight of the council's recommendations can vary. They could either be treated as a court judgment or non-enforceable legal opinions. Charles expressed deep sorrow over slavery in a speech to Commonwealth leaders in 2022 but Britain, like other former colonial powers, has so far rejected demands for reparations. The petition comes after Jamaica's government presented a bill in December last year to ditch the king as head of state. (Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Alison Williams)
MTV Lebanon
2 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
26 Jun 2025 17:24 PM Jamaica to take fight for slavery reparations to King Charles
Jamaica will ask King Charles to request legal advice from the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the final court of appeal for UK overseas territories and some Commonwealth nations, on the issue of slavery reparations. Under the Judicial Committee Act of 1833, Charles, who remains Jamaica's head of state after the country gained independence from Britain in 1962, has the authority to refer matters to the council for consideration. Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to Jamaica, and many scholars and advocates say the legacy of that period has resulted in or played a role in today's inequities. Calls for reparations are longstanding and moves such as the appeal to Charles help to keep the topic in the public spotlight. A backlash against it has also been growing, and many of Europe's leaders have opposed even talking about it. Jamaica's culture minister, Olivia Grange, said her government was seeking the council to consider whether the forced transport of enslaved Africans to Jamaica and their subsequent enslavement was lawful, and if it constituted a crime against humanity. It is also calling on the council to examine whether Britain is "under an obligation to provide a remedy" to Jamaica, not only for slavery but also for its enduring consequences. "We will be submitting a petition to His Majesty King Charles III to refer to the Privy Council a set of questions that we want answered within his current position as head of state of Jamaica," Grange said in the Jamaican parliament on Tuesday. Nicola Diggle, an expert in Privy Council appeals at London law firm Blake Morgan, said the monarch could refer any matter to the council. Lower courts in countries such as Jamaica, where the council is the final court of appeal, can also refer cases. However, it may decide the matter is unsuitable for its opinion. The legal weight of the council's recommendations can vary. They could either be treated as a court judgment or non-enforceable legal opinions. Charles expressed deep sorrow over slavery in a speech to Commonwealth leaders in 2022 but Britain, like other former colonial powers, has so far rejected demands for reparations. The petition comes after Jamaica's government presented a bill in December last year to ditch the king as head of state.
