PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (23 March 2023)

Motion Details

That this House recognises the UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; calls on the UK Government to offer a full formal apology, for the destructive and exploitative actions of the British Empire, including but not limited to, the Empire’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and colonisation; demands that this apology goes beyond the expressions of deep regret that have been made by previous Prime Ministers; recognises that no amount of money could ever fully make amends for the atrocities inflicted by the British Empire, but that meaningful steps can be taken to atone for past actions and the lasting impact those actions continue to have; applauds the Government of the Netherlands who issued a formal apology for the past actions of the Dutch State; welcomes the apology from the Trevelyan family, an aristocratic British family, for their ownership of slaves and their commitment to reparations; calls on the UK Government to follow these examples; notes that during the time of the Empire, Britain pillaged and looted several cultural artefacts from other nations, including art, jewellery, gems, treasures and even human remains, many of which are on display in UK museums, universities and institutions; is aware that Britain was not alone in these actions; welcomes the announcements from several museums, universities and institutions across Europe who have agreed to return stolen artifacts; and further calls on the Government to engage in meaningful conversations around reparations including the restitution of stolen artifacts.

Sponsored by:
Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour)

EDMS Sponsor By Party

Party
Votes
%
 
Labour
18
44%
 
 
Scottish National Party
11
27%
 
 
Independent
6
15%
 
 
Plaid Cymru
3
7%
 
 
Green Party
1
2%
 
 
Alba Party
1
2%
 
 
Social Democratic & Labour Party
1
2%
 
Sponsor List (41 sponsors)
Party
Member
Constituency
Lab
Ms Diane Abbott
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Ind
Apsana Begum
Poplar and Limehouse
Lab
Olivia Blake
Sheffield Hallam
SNP
Deidre Brock
SNP
Alan Brown
Lab
Dawn Butler
Brent East
Ind
Ian Byrne
Liverpool West Derby
Lab
Dan Carden
Liverpool Walton
Ind
Jeremy Corbyn
Islington North
Lab
Marsha De Cordova
Battersea
SNP
Allan Dorans
SDLP
Colum Eastwood
Foyle
Lab
Margaret Greenwood
SNP
Stewart Hosie
Lab
Kim Johnson
Liverpool Riverside
PC
Ben Lake
Ceredigion Preseli
Lab
Ian Lavery
Blyth and Ashington
SNP
Chris Law
Dundee Central
Lab
Clive Lewis
Norwich South
Green
Caroline Lucas
Alba
Kenny MacAskill
Lab
Rachael Maskell
York Central
Lab
Andy McDonald
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
SNP
Stuart C McDonald
Ind
John McDonnell
Hayes and Harlington
SNP
Anne McLaughlin
Lab
Ian Mearns
Lab
Kate Osamor
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Lab
Kate Osborne
Jarrow and Gateshead East
SNP
Kirsten Oswald
Lab
Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Sponsor)
Clapham and Brixton Hill
PC
Liz Saville Roberts
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
SNP
Tommy Sheppard
SNP
Chris Stephens
Ind
Zarah Sultana
Coventry South
SNP
Alison Thewliss
Lab
Jon Trickett
Normanton and Hemsworth
Ind
Claudia Webbe
Lab
Nadia Whittome
Nottingham East
PC
Hywel Williams
Lab
Beth Winter

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