By Zoila Palma: Prime Minister John Briceño has called for greater international action to address inequalities he linked to the legacies of slavery and colonialism, arguing that reparatory justice should be central to the global development framework that follows the Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly today, Briceño said the next development framework must deliver on commitments that remain outstanding while being built on what he described as a fairer foundation. He said the demand for reparatory justice has moved from the margins of UN discussions to a more prominent place in the international debate.
“This Assembly has rightly and finally declared slavery as the gravest crime against humanity,” Briceño said. “But this recognition is only the beginning of an obligation.” He argued that significant wealth generated during the industrial age was built through the labour of enslaved and colonized peoples, while the benefits largely flowed elsewhere.
Briceño also argued that many of the resulting inequalities persisted after independence. “When independence came, the flags changed. The structures did not,” he said, calling for a development framework focused on the common good and capable of delivering dignity, opportunity and a fair share of the benefits created by communities and workers.
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By Zoila Palma: Prime Minister John Briceño has called for greater international action to address inequalities he linked to the legacies of slavery and colonialism, arguing that reparatory justice should be central to the global development framework that follows the Sustainable Development Goals. Addressing the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations
The post Prime Minister to United Nations: “When Independence came, the flags changed. the structures did not” appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.