By Svetlana Marshall

Systemic inequality, racial discrimination and reparatory justice are among critical issues that ought to be addressed during the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett said as she addressed the 4^th Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent at the United Nations, Headquarters today.

She said for the global African community, those issues remain a top priority, and CARICOM will continue to champion the need for recognition, justice and development for people of African descent.

“The Second International Decade for People of African Descent provides renewed impetus to advance CARICOM’s own reparation agenda for repair, justice and development of People of African Descent as well as our Indigenous Peoples. It is an opportunity to confront the consequences of European colonization and enslavement and to call attention to the enduring legacies of these historical injustices,” the CARICOM Secretary General said.

Dr Barnett said the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent is taking place at a time when Haiti – a country in crisis – is still without reparation.

“Reparations for Haiti continues to be central to CARICOM’s reparations claim. April 2025 marks the bicentenary of the indemnity of a 150 million Francs imposed on Haiti by France as reparation for loss of property including enslaved Africans as a precondition for recognizing the island’s independence,” Dr Barnett said.

She said the negative economic and social effects of this historical injustice are painfully clear with arguable links to the situation in Haiti today.

While commending the Permanent Forum for placing the spotlight on Haiti, Dr Barnett said this anniversary presents an opportunity to bring global attention and a deeper understanding of the situation in Haiti.

It also serves as a call to action to address the ongoing security, humanitarian and governance crisis in the country, the CARICOM Secretary General said.

The 4^TH Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, she said, not only coincides with the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, but it is also being held at a time when the African Union is observing 2025 as the year for Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.

In 2024, CARICOM Heads of Government expressed their full support for increase collaboration and participation by the region in the meetings and the work of the Permanent Forum.

The CARICOM Secretary General said the CARICOM Reparation Commission, in particular, stands ready to collaborate with the Permanent Forum to advance material improvements for the people of African Descent.

The Regional bloc has also been working closely with the African Union, and later this year in September will participate in the second CARICOM-African Union Summit in  Ethiopia.

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