Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders unanimously adopted a 10-point plan which calls for reparations for the infliction of slavery on Caribbean colonies by certain former European colonisers during the first day of Heads of Government Meetings in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The 10-point plan includes calling for a formal apology for slavery, some debt cancellation from former colonisers such as Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands and reparation payments to repair the persisting “psychological trauma.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed the adoption of the plan and noted that The Bahamas announced in the Caricom meeting that its commission on reparations has been appointed and is headed by former parliamentarians Alfred Sears and Philip Smith.

Minister Mitchell added that this issue is one which the local commission is tasked with discussing with the public and in particular, public education.

He said the local commission will advise the government on the necessity and or efficacy of any legal, political, legislative or administrative decisions that need to be taken.

At least 14 Caricom member states have already established national reparations commissions despite some European countries vowing that they will not pay compensation for slavery and native genocide.

Caricom members wrapped up two days of meetings in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tuesday and Prime Minister Perry Christie and his delegation are due back in The Bahamas today.