this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2024
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The Caribbean island state became the first in the region to win its independence in 1804 after a revolt by enslaved people. But in a move that many Haitians blame for two centuries of turmoil, France later imposed harsh reparations for lost income and that debt was only fully repaid in 1947.

The group of about 20 non-governmental organisations currently in Geneva for a UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) are seeking a new independent commission to oversee the restitution of the debt, which they refer to as a ransom.

...

The amount paid to France is disputed by historians although the New York Times estimated Haiti’s loss at $21bn. The proposal’s backers say the amount is much higher.

“It’s $21bn plus 200 years of interest that France has enjoyed, so we’re talking more like $150bn, $200bn or more,” said Jemima Pierre, professor of global race at the University of British Columbia.

Clesca said she hoped the recommendation and others would be part of the UN forum’s conclusions due on Friday. Last year, the PFPAD suggested that a tribunal should be formed to address reparations for slavery.

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[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 72 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I am certain that Europe and America will never give any legitimate slavery reparations in my lifetime.

That said, Haiti is way too unstable right now to give them reparations. They need a stable government first. Otherwise you're basically just giving it to gangs.

[–] VonCesaw@lemmy.world 23 points 2 months ago (1 children)

um,,,,sweaty,,,the us DID pay reparations

how were those slaveowners gonna recoup the losses of their property without reparations

[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

It was the UK that did that. In the US, slavery was abolished through straight up "property confiscation" (from the perspective of slaveholders)

[–] VonCesaw@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

The UK did that too

They were more comprehensive and generous, but the US did pay reparations to slave owners

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)
[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Interestingly, this law also paid the newly freedmen $100 to fuck off to Haiti

[–] Daxtron2@startrek.website 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That was paying slave owners and only in DC

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Yes it was the US paying slave owners compensation for slaves.

Thanks for reiterating it is exactly the thing claimed didn’t happen.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 13 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That said, Haiti is way too unstable right now to give them reparations

There's a question of who to give it to. But it is undeniable that the country with one of the lowest standards of living on earth, squarely in the path of major hurricanes, and prone to massive earthquakes, needs resources to rebuild with the kind of stable and resilient infrastructure that can endure these shocks.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Good luck doing rebuilding without a stable government.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Good luck having a stable government without any offices, roads, or reliable food supply.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Who is going to build all of those things? Who is going to organize them? Who is going to get the supplies? Who is going to ensure nothing gets stolen and no one gets hurt? Who is going to take care of any medical issues that turn up due to things like accidents?

How do you do all of that without a government?

[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

France broke it, France needs to fix it.

See also: US Invasion of Iraq

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

That's not an answer to how you do all of that without a government. You can't just say "France has to do it" and walk away like that solves it all.

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So what does "fixing" look like? Are you saying France should go in Haiti, and ...start building infrastructure, creating and funding a civil service, create, support and uphold state institutions etc? Because, in that case, um, you just invented colonialism.

[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Like we do for other failed states, there is a UN-led reconstruction program, in this case funded by France.

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

Can you please give an example?