Rasta Ites home

RMC index

Ites Zine

THE RASTAFARI MILLENNIUM COUNCIL REPORT ON THE CARIBBEAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON REPARATIONS
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
September 15th 17th, 2013

On Saturday, September 14th 2013 a delegation, consisting of members of the Rastafari Millennium Council (RMC), the Jamaica National Reparations Commission (JNRC) and a Minister of Government, boarded a Caribbean Airlines flight at the Norman Manley airport, destined for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), to attend the first Caribbean Regional Conference on Reparations, September 15th- 17th 2013. An invitation was extended to the RMC Executives and the Hon. Neville O. Livingston OJ, CD, pka Ras Bunny Wailer, by the SVG Reparations Committee, in response to a request to meet with Prime Minister, the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, primarily due to him having to decline an invitation to attend the Rastafari Conference at U.W.I., Mona, in August. The invitation was forwarded to the Ministry Of Culture, along with a letter seeking sponsorship for a RMC delegation of five representatives to be included in the official Jamaican delegation. The Minister of Culture agreed to provide sponsorship for Sister Mitzie Williams, the Chairperson of the RMC and the Council's representative on the National Reparations Commission. Fortunately, the request of the Government of S.V.G, for Hon. Bunny Wailers inclusion in the event as a featured performer and presenter, was extended to incorporate other RMC Executives. The delegation from Jamaica then included Hon. Neville O. Livingston OJ, CD pka Bunny Wailer, RMC Executives Sister Mitzie Williams, Prophet Greg and Sister Maxine Stowe, Chair of the J.N.R.C., Prof. Verene Shepherd and Ras Jalani Niaah, a member of the J.N.R.C. and State Minister in Foreign Affairs, Arnaldo Brown, representing the Government of Jamaica. Member of Parliament, Mike Henry and attorney-at-law, Ras Miguel Lorne, were self-sponsored members of the delegation. On arrival in S.V.G., the Jamaican and other delegations, were officially welcomed by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, other members of Government and the SVG Reparations Committee and members of the Rastafari Community. The Opening Ceremony of the Conference was held the following day at Victoria Park, in the islands capital, Kingstown. P.M. Gonsalves had invited CARICOM leaders, politicians, historians, academics, activists, artistes, the clergy, all Vincentians and Caribbean people, to come together to participate in a historic moment - to focus on REPARATIONS OF SLAVERY AND NATIVE GENOCIDE.

Due to rain and overcast skies, there was a short delay in the program commencing, which after getting on the way, proved to be both an educational and entertaining one for all in attendance. One of the highlights of the evening, was the unprecedented singing of the SVG National Anthem, in both English and Garifuna (the language of the native Garifuna people) and a prayer that included students spelling out the word REPARATIONS. The gathering was welcomed by Jomo Thomas, Chair of the SVG Reparations Committee, followed by remarks from Hon. Stephen Lashley, the Minister of Culture of Barbados, speaking on behalf of Barbados PM Hon Freundel Stuart and PM Hon. Ralph Gonsalves. After an engaging performance by local singer Sulle, accompanied by the Heartbeat Drummers, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Verene Shepherd, Chair of the JNCR, took to the podium and gave a riveting and eye-opening account interspersed with relevant songs - of the impact of Slavery, paying special tribute to the outstanding role of women in the resistance to Slavery across the Caribbean. She pointed graphically, to the inhumane forms of punishment meted out to Africans, which are documented in the case being made for Reparations. She also proposed that the Victoria Park, (named after Queen Victoria), be renamed Freedom Park. After the speakers, the stage was cleared for the moment for which many people were waiting, the performance of Jah B, Bunny Wailer. The Governments strategy of including him in the program acknowledged the importance of the role played by musical messengers and the Rastafari community, in the liberation movement globally, especially concerning Colonialism, Reparations and Repatriation to Africa. The SVG Rastafari community, came out in their numbers to fulldorse an icon, an Original Wailer, who, along with his brothers Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, has been a musical inspiration to many, for decades. The Blackheart man disappointed the Rastaman, only when he left the stage before delivering their some of favorites The second and third days of the Conference were held at the Methodist Church Hall. Monday, being an Open Session, under the theme, Dialogue, Consensus, Restitution, had in attendance, delegates, as well as a wide cross section of Vincentians, including school children, who expressed their appreciation as history students, to be a part of that kind of forum. The tone for the morning session was set by keynote speaker, Prof. Hilary Beckles, leading Caribbean historian on issues of Slavery and Reparations, Principal of the UWI Campus at Cave Hill in Barbados and author of Britains Black Debt: the case for Reparations and Native Genocide. PM Ralph Gonsalves, a steadfast Reparations campaigner, was congratulated for taking the initiative for convening a Conference on Reparations, following on the decision in July by CARICOM Heads to take follow-up action to seek Reparations for Slavery and Genocide of native peoples, from European countries. Prof. Beckles praised the Heads for taking a collective stand and emphasized the importance of engagement of the people of the Caribbean and the Diaspora in confronting and rectifying the effects of Slavery and the Slave Trade. He made special reference to the fact that although it was the enslaved Africans who were subjected to Slavery, by European enslavers, it was the European slave owners who received Reparations, while the slaves were who had labored without wages for over 400 years, were freed with NO COMPENSATION. The goal is now to seek REPARATORY JUSTICE for what is no doubt a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY! Prof. Beckles paid special tribute to the Rastafari movement whose voice of representation and protest, has been consistently and unapologetically loud and clear, in relation to issues related to oppression and injustice. Special mention was also made of the Garifuna and Kalinago people, the native people of the Caribbean and the crimes and injustices committed against them and the case being presented on their behalf for reparatory justice for Native Genocide. It was later emphasized by a member of the audience that the Conference stands on the cornerstone of the contribution made by Rastafari and the Garifuna.

An open discussion led to panel discussions with representatives of established National Reparations Committees in CARICOM Member States and the broader Caribbean community. Representatives from SVG, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, highlighted the work being undertaken by their committees and the importance of education and sensitization of the national and regional public. Prof. Verene Shepherd, in this segment, allowed Min. Arnaldo Brown to present the position of the Jamaican Government on the issue of Reparations. He stressed the importance of the region speaking on Reparations in one accord and each realizing that everyone is not at the same level, but there was no point any country running ahead of the other. During this session it was proposed that CARICOM should mandate history and the teaching of Reparations in schools curriculum. Recognition was given to past Reparations initiatives, with consistent acknowledgement of the work of Rastafari and precedence set in relation to representation by elders in the community. It was agreed, that as directed by the Rastafari community for decades, Repatriation will have to be a critical part of the case for reparatory justice for African descendants. E.A.B.I.C representative, Priest Kailash from St. Lucia, made the point that the States of the region that have a track record of discrimination and abuses against the Rastafari community, need to acknowledge this publicly, first with an apology, to create the atmosphere for healing and reparatory and restorative justice. It was also noted that the focus of the movement going forward must be placed on educating and sensitizing grassroots people on the issues of Reparations, empowering them to empower their leaders. The top-down approach must definitely be avoided. Ras Frank I from Antigua reminded that the spiritual and cultural contribution of Rastafari cannot be underestimated. Special mention was made of the contribution of Pan African stalwarts like the Hon. Dudley Thompson for their yeoman service to the African community and seeking justice for Africans in the Diaspora. The evening session began with an overview of the morning session and presentations from representatives from interest groups and civil society, from CARICOM member countries and the broader Caribbean, such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, U.S. Virgin Islands, the United States, the U.K. Canada and the Netherlands. The Hon. Neville Livingston was given 30 minutes for presentation. However, he made a short presentation on the need for unity, to enable collective representation and then introduced the General Secretary (GS) of the RMC to deliver the presentation on behalf of the Jamaica Rastafari Community. The GS greeted the Rastafari Community representatives in the audience, mentioned the honoring of both the PM Ralph Gonsalves and the Hon. Neville Livingston pka Ras Bunny Wailer, at the recent UWI Rastafari Conference, for their work and contribution in the community and acknowledged the presence of other RMC executives, before doing a five (5) page presentation. This focused on the history of Back to Africa Movements, Government to Government negotiation realities, and the impact of the new economic order of Globalization in attaching Repatriation and Reparations as twinned realities. This document was presented along with a copy of the RMC position paper The Rastafari Nation Fundamental Rights for Repatriation and Reparations, to the PMs Ambassador to CARICOM. [The RMC presentation is already circulated via the internet.] The days proceedings exceeded the designated time, to facilitate all community presentations and to accommodate community interaction. PM Gonsalves apologized for not being able to attend the following days proceedings, because he had to attend an important CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Trinidad. He however extended an invitation to the gathering to attend a reception at his residence later that evening. It is worthy to note that prior to leaving the Conference, PM Gonsalves emphasized the important role he is presently playing as a Head of State and will play when he assumes Chair of the CARICOM Heads of Government in January 2014. He closed by stating clearly to the gathering that, ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES! A reference obviously made to the sense of timing 3

related to this call for Reparations and the need to capitalize on the momentum with his time in office as the Prime Minister and his upcoming position as Chair of CARICOM. Prof Hillary Beckles proposed that Hon. Bunny Wailer be considered a leading Cultural Ambassador for the Reparations Campaign and for Culture to be used as an important Weapon in educating and engaging civil society and grounding and mobilizing Caribbean people to a level of informed activism. A clear statement being made by the Rastafari community representatives throughout the day was that although Rastafari was being acknowledged as being the cornerstone and champions of the cause for Reparations and Repatriation, we do not want to be sidelined now, but to be brought to the table through formalized levels of engagement of representation, wherever possible. The morning session on the third day, started with the introduction of lawyers, Messrs: Martyn Day; Richard Hermer; Richard Stein, of the U.K. based law firm Leigh Day, & Co., who were invited by the PM following their successful representation of the Mau Mau of Kenya. They indicated that they specialized in cases against the British government and multinational corporations globally. Having made a presentation of their strategy to the Heads of Government at CARICOM in Trinidad, they were specially invited to the Conference to do same. The lawyers outlined what they think are the most effective strategies in representing the case for Reparations against colonialism and slavery, with the intent to advance it to the UN International Court of Justice in Hague within the framework of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination Convention. This recommendation came from the Analysis of the avenues opened for the Reparations Claim through the United Nations. A resolution of UN Security Council mandating Reparations was not possible because of the permanent seats of Britain, France & the USA, who are able to exercise their veto power. Legal Action in Home Country Courts (of slave traders) is not possible because of Constitutional internal rules of countries, political realities and legal frameworks where claims cannot be brought that pre-dates 1954. The International Courts/Tribunals and various Human Rights Treaties and Protections had mechanisms for pursuing complaints that also had internal rules and frameworks, however in the texts of the Conventions they precluded the continuation of legacies of Racism and so to the extent that these legacies could be shown to be continuing, should be the basis for informing a Claim. The process of the strategy was that the national committees secure the information necessary for their respective CARICOM and Regional Governments to present letters related to Reparation claims, to their former colonial governments, with the intent to present firstly an opportunity for a Political Settlement and, with the expected no case submission responses, be able to go the International Court for deliberations that would eliminate the limitations that existed, with a direct approach then to the International Court. This strategy was not presented as the panacea for Reparations, but a Government to Government strategy that could be applied and that could be approached concurrently with legal claims by Civil Society groupings such as those by the Rastafari Community and / or those targeting Multinationals that were trading on the profits generated through the Slave Trade. The idea being that it is political and social pressure that the legal claim was seeking to activate. 4

These proceedings were reasoned at length by the lawyers.. Caribbean Lawyers and other representatives questioned the exclusion of regional lawyers in the process, stating the importance of having Black Lawyers leading the proceedings. They also asked if the Leigh Day & Co. law firm had been retained by CARICOM. It was explained that the lawyers were in the process of being retained for the CARICOM Reparations strategy, based on their success in suing the British Government and their appreciation of the Human Rights International frameworks. The process of the National and Regional Commissions and Heads of States preparing their relevant Claims would naturally be the process that would include the National and Regional Lawyers. The collectivization of a CARICOM approach would also be looking to engage other major Diaspora communities and the African Union in their own plan of action. They were however assured that the process and not the Law Firm was to be the present focus, as the legal strategy was one approach and a strategic tool of a broader campaign of diplomatic, political, social and governmental approaches. Ras Miguel Lorne sought to represent issues related to a case against the Queen brought in 2004. However the logistics of that were not relevant to the legal strategy being pursued, though it would inform the research and development of the data related to the Historic Discrimination and Present Day Inequality in relation to areas such as the Educations System, Poor Health Indicators and a range of Socio-Economic deprivation. The E.A.B.I.C. representatives from the OECS gave a solid presentation outlining the history of the Congresss agitations through its founder the Most Right Hon. King Emmanuel Charles Edwards. These involved the framework of the current legal strategy in approaching the United Nations and getting International Legal representatives to ground and represent the Claims through the International Court of Justice. The preeminence of all being Ethiopians by color, was stressed in no uncertain terms and it was emphasized that it would be economic suicide to give up a continent for an island. The RMC representatives through various interjections acknowledged the process in resubmitting letters to the Queen albeit by the State and indicated the natural recourse to begin from the Emancipation Act 1834, recommending that the current Queen of England be held responsible for completing the process that Queen Victoria started, even though both were not responsible for creating the Slave Trade by Victorias enactment the Queen could not be absolved of these duties. The apology by the Arch Bishop of the Church of England for slavery should also implicate the Queen who is the head of the Church and the case study Regina verses JAH (John Anthony Hill) should also be used to offer legal leverage. (Case studies already in use: http://jforjustice.net/examples.html - Chief Nanya-Shaabu El's filing against QE2 on 16th January 2012); Finally, Reparations should be obtained by returning full ownership of the African continents resources and operations to Africans from the past and present carving up processes of the Colonial states , through the guidance of the A.U., as the most tangible action. It was opined that if this act alone was accomplished Africans would potentially not need any form of repayment, as the futuristic wealth of ownership would outstrip any potential methodology of payments involving the Colonials monetary systems. The final afternoon session was closed to only delegates of national committees, but after several objections by other organizations, they were allowed to participate as observers. The Chairs of the national reparations committees were asked to leave the room to select a Regional Committee Chairperson and another group was asked to draft the Terms of Reference for this CARICOM Reparations Committee. This group included Reparations spokesperson and activist Min. Mike Henry, and attorney-at-law Ras Miguel Lorne from Jamaica. During that period, the remaining delegates were asked to makes suggestions to be included in the Terms of Reference or concerns to be brought to the attention of the Regional Commission.

The RMC reiterated that in order to create an atmosphere of confidence and healing between the State and the Rastafari Communities, Reparations must be paid to the communities injured by the State, for reasons including championing the cause of Reparations and Repatriation. This motion was entered in as an apology from the State to the Rastafari Community as a start of the healing process. However, representatives requested that the Rastafari communities present the proof that these atrocities were committed against them for championing the Reparations cause. As other delegates had done before, a Jamaican delegate expressed the danger of distracting from the larger cause in addressing these smaller matters. An RMC Representative also raised the concern about how Reparations Committees were selected and the vulnerability and insecurity of both the Heads of Government and the Regional Reparations Commission, based on the four year Westminster model of elections. This concern was supported by both Vincentian and Antiguan representatives and noted, to be brought to the attention of the Regional Commission. The Regional Reparations Commission is to be led by a Chairman and three Deputy Chairs responsible for specific tasks. Chairperson is Prof. Hilary Beckles and Deputy Chairs are Jomo Thomas from SVG, responsible for intergovernmental relations, Prof. Verene Shepherd, from Jamaica, responsible for directing research and Ahmad Zunder, from Suriname, responsible for mobilization. The Conference ended with a film on the Guyanese activist Walter Rodney. RASTAFARI COMMUNITY MEETING A Rastafari Community meeting was convened and after a change in venue, was held at a community center close to the Methodist Church Hall. The meeting was chaired by Ras Bishop who introduced Ras Jalani Niaah as the main convener. Ras Jalani indicated that he represents the UWI Studies Unit Initiatives and proceeded to present issues affecting the Rastafari Community. He spoke of the Conferences held at UWI and the fact that he used UWI funding to travel around the world to interact with the community. Presentations were made by the RMC executives: Sis. Mitzie Williams; Prophet Greg; and Sis. Maxine Stowe. Ras Miguel Lorne later opened the floor for a question and answer session. A brother from the SVG Rastafari community asked why their community was not consulted before the decision was made to invite P.M. Gonsalves to address and be honored at the recently held Conference at U.W.I. Sis. Mitzie Williams: Gave thanks to the bredren and sistren for responding to the invitation to meet with representatives of the Jamaican Rastafari community. She read a very relevant speech on Collective Security by HIM Emperor Haile Sellassie, depicting the critical juncture I n I find ourselves in and the importance of the CARICOM Heads position on Reparations and the just concluded Reparations Conference. She briefly outlined the role of the RMC and expressed the importance of the community meeting regularly to be able to set and work towards achieving its goals. She stated that Rastafari had become too complacent and addressed the need for the community to organize to represent itself on issues such as Reparations and Repatriation and to ensure that Rastafari has formalized representation on the national committees. The importance of the Rastafari community globally communicating and consulting for greater collective representation was emphasized. It is that the Rastafari community needs to come together and speak with ONE VOICE on these issues and strengthen our representation and not leave this solely in the hands of the Governments. She apologized for leaving early to depart from SVG that night. Sister Idejah, a member of the SVG community: Expressed disappointment in the fact that the community had stopped meeting and charged the community to come out in numbers to the Park for a meeting in two weeks, the same way they did for the Opening Ceremony. 6

Sis. Maxine Stowe: The focus here was the state and mode of representation of the Rastafari Community nationally and regionally, with a focus on the legal groundings of the Communitys claims. Reference was made to the recent ICH Workshop related to another UN Convention related to African Retentions and the WIPO Indigenous Conventions that the RMC was located in. It was now evident that the Indigenous Rights movement within the United Nations was a new and relevant platform which is impacting relations between communities and their respective governments. A focus on legal grounding was now more necessary than ever to access these new modalities and integrate them into the historical rights advocacy that prevailed. Complaints about PM Gonsalves treatment of the Rastafari Community after the visit to Ethiopia with members was countered by the need of the Community to have more precise legal and governance representation to follow up on such initiatives. The Community at this critical juncture because of lack of paid resources for legal governance and emphasis on volunteerism has many gaps in representation. Prophet Greg: Asked the members from the E.A.B.I.C., who were leaving early, to remain while he insisted that the States that inflicted injuries to the Rastafari communities because of the stance for Repatriation and Reparations, must address the communities before we can be confident of their position in representing these issues on our behalf. Failure to do this will necessitate the Rastafari Community requiring their own representation in these CARICOM deliberations. He stressed the importance of Rastafari representation on the National Reparations Committees, as in Jamaica, which has included Rastafari representation in its National Committee, therefore ensuring that the Community Policy on Reparations and Repatriation is represented both nationally and regionally and ensuring the rationalization of the process. It is clear that the Chairman of the Regional Commission, Hillary Beckles and activist Head of State, Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, were clear on these issues, so it leaves the Rastafari Community responsible for responding to policies on the national and regional level. The community meeting reflected the importance of the RMCs role, in relation to offering guidance and support and to offer representation for the communitys Organisation and Centralisation, a process it is continuing in Jamaica. It is clear that Jamaica has a leading role to play in defining what occurs both nationally and regionally, based on its leading historical, geographical, demographic and cultural base in the matters relating to Reparation and Repatriation, so the imperative comes forward to I n I developing the proper policies reflecting the natural consensus and facts related to the Communitys agenda and representation. A forthright Pan African Commission in Jamaica must be an outcome that subsumes and incorporates the National Reparation Committee. With the strategy outlined being one of legal, political & social acting concurrently and impacting each other, a similar agency incorporating all these elements must be adopted and made actionable. The link for the legal opinion presented at the Conference by the https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwlgZ2h1zpjnUVNTeVcwZnI4VjQ/edit?usp=sharing Leigh Day firm is

Rasta Ites home

RMC index

Ites Zine