Haiti raises colonial reparations at UN committee meeting

Haiti’s representative called on the UN to reflect on how reparations for colonisation could be provided during a meeting of its Fourth Committee on 12 October, according to UN Press. The appeal came as Britain set out its position on the priorities and political future of its overseas territories. [1]

The UN Press account reports claims that Haiti had been forced to pay a large sum in 1825 in exchange for recognition of its independence, and that the payment had slowed the country’s economic and social development. The account says a joint Franco-Haitian commission has been established to examine the issue, but gives no date for its creation. The Haitian delegate suggested that such historical dialogue could be useful to the UN. [1]

The British representative described her country’s ties with its overseas territories as “a modern relationship”. UN Press reports that Britain supports priorities ranging from the environment to security and administers 10 of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. The account also reports that Britain would help the British Virgin Islands achieve independence if islanders expressed a constitutional wish to pursue it. [1]

On Gibraltar, UN Press reported that the British representative said its people had a right to self-determination and that Britain would not agree to a transfer of sovereignty against their freely expressed wishes. She also asserted British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), citing a 2013 referendum in which, she said, 99.8% of those who voted favoured retaining British Overseas Territory status. The UN Press account notes that sovereignty over the islands remains disputed between Britain and Argentina. [1]