UK stole 25 million years of life and labour through slavery in Barbados, research finds
A new report by international experts estimates that Britain stole 25 million years of life and labor through 200 years of chattel slavery in Barbados, with economic harm valued at up to $2 trillion. The research, led by Coleman Bazelon, emphasizes the figure is not a financial claim but a factual basis for dialogue on reparative justice. Barbados, as a founding member of Caricom, continues to advocate for reparations and plans to present the findings to its cabinet for ratification.
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The Emancipation Statue in Bridgetown was crafted in 1985, 19 years after Barbados gained full independence from Britain. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenThe Emancipation Statue in Bridgetown was crafted in 1985, 19 years after Barbados gained full independence from Britain. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesReparations and reparative justiceUK stole 25m years of life and labour through slavery in Barbados, says reportExperts put estimate for economic harm done by 200 years of chattel slavery at $2tn, but stress this is ‘not an invoice’Paul Lashmar in Bridgetown and Natricia Duncan in KingstonThu 30 Apr 2026 09.59 EDTFirst published on Thu 30 Apr 2026 09.41 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleBritain stole 25 million years of life and labour through slavery in…
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