Portugal rejects proposal to pay reparations for slavery after comments from president | Portugal
The Portuguese government says it is refusing to start a process to pay reparations for transatlantic slavery and atrocities committed during the colonial era, contrary to previous comments by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, six million Africans were abducted, forcibly transported across the Atlantic on Portuguese ships, and sold into slavery, mostly in Brazil.
Prime Minister Rebelo de Sousa said on Saturday that Portugal could use several methods to pay reparations, including canceling the former colony’s debts or offering loans.
In a statement sent to the Portuguese news agency Lusa, the government said it hoped to “deepen mutual relations, respect historical truth, and strive for ever closer and closer cooperation, based on the reconciliation of our brotherly peoples.” Stated.
However, he added that there was “no concrete action process or program” towards paying compensation, noting that this policy has been followed by successive governments.
The report called relations with the former colonies “truly excellent,” citing cooperation in areas such as education, language, culture, and health, as well as finance, budget, and economic cooperation.
On Tuesday, the president hinted at the need for reparations, provoking strong criticism from right-wing parties including the CDS People’s Party, junior partner in the Democratic Alliance government coalition, and far-right Chega.
“You can’t put this under the carpet or in a drawer,” the president said Saturday. “We have an obligation to pilot and lead this process.” [of reparations]”
The Portuguese colonial period lasted more than five centuries, with Angola, Mozambique, Brazil, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, East Timor, and parts of Asia under Portuguese rule.
The decolonization of African countries and the end of African empires occurred just months after Portugal’s Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974 overthrew Europe’s longest-running fascist dictatorship and ushered in democracy.
Portugal rejects proposal to pay reparations for slavery after comments from president | Portugal
The Portuguese government says it is refusing to start a process to pay reparations for transatlantic slavery and atrocities committed during the colonial era, contrary to previous comments by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, six million Africans were abducted, forcibly transported across the Atlantic on Portuguese ships, and sold into slavery, mostly in Brazil.
Prime Minister Rebelo de Sousa said on Saturday that Portugal could use several methods to pay reparations, including canceling the former colony’s debts or offering loans.
In a statement sent to the Portuguese news agency Lusa, the government said it hoped to “deepen mutual relations, respect historical truth, and strive for ever closer and closer cooperation, based on the reconciliation of our brotherly peoples.” Stated.
However, he added that there was “no concrete action process or program” towards paying compensation, noting that this policy has been followed by successive governments.
The report called relations with the former colonies “truly excellent,” citing cooperation in areas such as education, language, culture, and health, as well as finance, budget, and economic cooperation.
On Tuesday, the president hinted at the need for reparations, provoking strong criticism from right-wing parties including the CDS People’s Party, junior partner in the Democratic Alliance government coalition, and far-right Chega.
“You can’t put this under the carpet or in a drawer,” the president said Saturday. “We have an obligation to pilot and lead this process.” [of reparations]”
The Portuguese colonial period lasted more than five centuries, with Angola, Mozambique, Brazil, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, East Timor, and parts of Asia under Portuguese rule.
The decolonization of African countries and the end of African empires occurred just months after Portugal’s Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974 overthrew Europe’s longest-running fascist dictatorship and ushered in democracy.
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