Jamaica has taken a new step in its slavery reparations campaign.
The government has formally petitioned King Charles III over Britain’s historic role in slavery.
Jamaica wants several legal questions to be considered by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Jamaica slavery reparations campaign moves to court
The petition focuses on the enslavement and forced transportation of Africans.
Jamaica wants the court to consider whether these actions were illegal.
It also wants the court to examine whether slavery amounted to crimes against humanity.
In addition, Jamaica is asking whether Britain has a duty to provide a remedy to Jamaicans.
The Privy Council serves as the highest court of appeal for several countries with historic ties to Britain.
Jamaica calls the move historic
Culture Minister Olivia Grange described the petition as a historic step.
She said Jamaica had worked on reparatory justice for many years.
Now, the country has formally taken its campaign into the legal arena.
Grange said the petition sends a strong message for people seeking justice. She also said Jamaicans were positive about the initiative.
Britain has rejected calls for reparations
Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807. It later abolished slavery across most of its empire in the 1830s.
However, British governments have repeatedly rejected calls for slavery reparations or a formal apology.
Jamaica hopes the petition will provide answers to its historic claims.
Moreover, experts say the legal action could strengthen the country’s wider campaign for reparatory justice.
The case marks a new stage in Jamaica’s long-running effort to address the legacy of slavery.