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Zimbabwe Urges West Countries to Pay Reparations
Zimbabwean Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Patrick Chinamasa has called on Western countries to pay reparations for the resources and wealth they looted during the era of colonialism, The Herald newspaper reported on Thursday.
Addressing delegates at a preparatory workshop for the South African conference against racism here on Wednesday, Chinamasa said apart from the issue of reparations, African governments would also call for the setting up of compensation scheme for slave trade victims.
This position came as a result of the African Regional Preparatory Conference for the World Conference Against Racism early this year.
The highlights in the program for action are the setting up of an International Compensation Scheme for victims of slave trade and a Development Reparation Fund to provide resources for countries affected by colonialism.
Chinamasa said it was prudent that Western countries, particularly those which colonized a number of African countries, consider payment for crimes they perpetrated during colonialism for the betterment of the world.
He said that Zimbabwe would appreciate the elimination of racism which is currently exercised by a minority with greater economic might against the majority who are victims of racism.
The World Conference Against Racism is to be held in Durban, South Africa, from August 31 to September 7. Some 14,000 delegates, including more than 30 heads of state and 160 foreign ministers, are expected to attend the gathering.
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