Oct 25 \u2013 The King has said \u201cthe most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate\u201d, in a speech to Commonwealth leaders after the issue of reparations for slavery was raised.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of us can change the past,\u201d he told the summit in Samoa, but said leaders can commit to learning from it and \u201cfinding creative ways to right inequalities that endure\u201d.<\/p>\n
Diplomatic sources have told the BBC a number of Commonwealth heads of government want to start a \u201cmeaningful conversation\u201d about whether the UK should pay reparations for its role in the slave trade.<\/p>\n
The King, who did not directly address slavery, was speaking at the opening of the biennial summit for the first time as the head of the 56-member group.<\/p>\n
He said that members of the Commonwealth \u201cknow and understand each other such that we can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur cohesion requires that we acknowledge where we have come from,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is vital therefore that we understand our history to guide us to make the right choices in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
There have been growing calls from Commonwealth leaders for the UK to apologise and make reparations.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the summit, Downing Street insisted the issue of reparations would not be on the agenda.<\/p>\n
However, several Commonwealth leaders \u2013 particularly those from Caribbean countries \u2013 are expected to defy the UK and hold discussions on how they can secure reparatory justice.<\/p>\n
As well as financial reparations, reparatory justice can come in several forms, including debt relief, an official apology, educational programmes, building museums, economic support, and public health assistance.<\/p>\n
The draft of the summit communique \u2013 made known to the BBC \u2013 currently says that the heads of government noted \u201ccalls for discussions on reparatory justice with regard to the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement\u201d and \u201cagreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.\u201d<\/p>\n
British officials succeeded in blocking plans for an entirely separate declaration on reparatory justice, but at the moment are having to accept that some text on the subject will appear in the final communique.<\/p>\n
Asked about the\u00a0topic by the BBC<\/a>, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said slavery was \u201cabhorrent\u201d and it was important to \u201ctalk about our history\u201d.<\/p>\n But he added he wanted the summit to focus on \u201ctoday\u2019s challenges\u201d, such as climate change and boosting trade within the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n