Caption: Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. Photo: T&T Parliament
By Alicia Chamely
OPPOSITION Leader Penelope Beckles is calling for Trinidad and Tobago to commit to the call for reparatory justice as the nation observes African Emancipation Day.
Beckles made this call in her Emancipation Day greeting on Thursday.
She said, “It is imperative that we never lose sight of the plight, struggles and unacceptably disadvantageous position our African forefathers were placed in, some of which still permeate to this day.”
Beckles continued, “Globally, we have now entered the 2nd United Nations Decade for People of African Descent. It is imperative that our nation wholeheartedly commits to the call for reparatory justice.”
She said this commitment aligned with the CARICOM ten-point plan for reparatory justice.
Beckles stated, “CARICOM, in solidarity with Africa, urges European governments whose ancestors profited from the chattel enslavement of Africans and committed atrocities against the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, to restore justice and promote reconciliation for the descendants of those who were victims of these crimes against humanity.”
She recognised and paid homage to those who worked to preserve African culture and fought for the celebration of emancipation.
Beckles said, “We must express enduring thanks and appreciation to those African brothers and sisters of our beloved nation who devoted their time and energy to the cause of the global commemoration of Emancipation Day. We are therefore to celebrate with our full heritage of cultural splendour, fashion, art and craft, cuisine, music and dance, storytelling, poetry, drama and proverbial sayings.”
She said, “In the post-emancipation era, we invoke the names of visionary leaders such as Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, and Thomas Sankara. In Trinidad and Tobago, we also remember CLR James, Dr. Eric Williams, Makandal Daaga, and the fearless Madame Elma Francois, whose bold advocacy shaped our history. Let us celebrate their enduring spirits as we continue the quest for justice and empowerment.”
Wishing the nation a reflective and enlightening African Emancipation Day, she reaffirmed her call for reparatory justice, saying, “As we commemorate African Emancipation Day 2025, let us remind ourselves that the price of human freedom is eternal vigilance. In so doing, today we recognise that reparations are firmly rooted in international law, not swayed by emotions or political expedience.”
