The Barbados government has hinted at the possibility of negotiating payment for reparations with British owners regarding the Drax Hall plantation, that for centuries had been the scene of inhumane treatment of enslaved Africans.
Drax Hall, where sugar cane was introduced, driving the plantation slave economy, has been described by historian and University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor, Sir Hilary Beckles, as a “killing field”.
An estimated 30,000 enslaved people died on the Drax estates over a span of 200 years.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, whose administration had sought to compulsory acquire the plantation for a housing project, has indicated that the government has no intention of breaching the Constitution by taking up anybody’s land without paying them.
Critics of the acquisition have suggested the government should confiscate the property as reparations rather than enriching the pockets of the owner, British Member of Parliament Richard Drax, a descendant of Colonel Henry Drax who introduced sugar cultivation to Barbados within a decade of settlement.
But, Mottley, in a late night broadcast on Tuesday, said that having already met with Drax, and though not happy with the pace at which talks have been progressing, she believes the focus should be on pushing for a reasonable settlement for reparations.
“And to that extent, the government has expressed itself of wanting to be able to find a settlement that would be just for the people of St George and for the people of Barbados.
“Given the conversation, I believe that it is appropriate for us to pause the acquisition, to allow for greater conversation to take place, and also for us to be able to see where we are in terms of being able to get some kind of reasonable settlement with Mr Drax, recognising that in our conversations, without prejudice to anything else, he is aware that the Government of Barbados feels strongly about this, and will pursue these matters,” she said in the broadcast.
Drax, 66, a parliamentarian in the ruling Conservative Party, was set to receive an estimated three million British pounds from the land purchase.
Mottley said she did not take lightly the concerns of many Barbadians who may feel that they have been robbed of the opportunity of having an appropriate settlement as a result of the reparations that ought to be made as a result of the blood, sweat and tears of Barbadians over centuries.
“The Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act was enacted and dealt with by successive governments because we recognise the need for the Government of Barbados, whoever that government is, to be able to make reparations for people whose ancestors were forced to live in some of the harshest conditions and who were deprived of all opportunities to be able to make the best for themselves and their families.
“So, we get the concept of reparations domestically, but also as we have been doing, internationally. The reality is that we have been at the forefront in making the call for reparations, against those who contributed to the decimation of this country and the lives of people while at the same time enriching themselves and building out the industrial revolution and that which has now become the climate crisis caused by the greenhouse gases and emissions coming from the industrial revolution. So, we get it.”
But Mottley reminded Barbadians that the country is governed by the rule of law.
“We have never made it a habit, nor am I aware of any example, where we have expropriated people’s land. When people have land that is the subject of compulsory acquisition, by law we are due to pay for it.
“At the same time, that does not preclude us from going aggressively to be able to pursue, both through our advocacy and as we are seeking to do in recent times, through our preparation through what are our legal options, with respect to being able to take action.”
Mottley said that such action would not only be against the owner of Drax Hall but against all others who have contributed to the country being one of the worst examples of modern racism in the Americas.
She said her government believes there is a justifiable case for it to continue to mount.
“We in fact met with Mr Drax some time ago. I am not happy with the pace at which these discussions have continued. But believe you me, we will, as we are required to do, pause, and listen to Bajans to understand what is really at stake here, recognising that we do not cut off our nose to spoil our face.
“And what do I mean by that? That we should not deny ordinary Barbadians who are in need of housing the opportunity to have housing, but at the same time, that we pursue with greater alacrity, the issue of reparations with Mr Drax and with respect to any other with whom there is a case and a chain of custody that we can justify.”
Mottley said that Drax Hall is one of the few estates whose chain of custody can be traced back to the 17th century.
