Portugal's President Calls for Reparations for Colonial-Era Crimes

Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has stated that the country must "pay the costs " of slavery and other colonial-era crimes, acknowledging the need for reparations.

In a rare instance of a European leader addressing the wrongs of the colonial past, Rebelo de Sousa said that Portugal "takes full responsibility" for the exploitation and slavery during its colonial period.

Portugal has a long history of involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, trafficking nearly 6 million Africans over four centuries, more than any other European nation. However, the country has largely failed to confront this dark chapter of its past, with little education about its role in the slave trade being taught in schools. Critics argue that there is a lack of national recognition and that children are still taught that Portugal was an "excellent colonizer".

President Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged that there are actions from the past that were not punished and goods that were looted and not returned. He emphasized that Portugal needs to "repair this" and that acknowledging the past and taking responsibility is more important than simply apologizing. The president's remarks come a year after he said Portugal should apologize and assume responsibility for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Why this matters: The idea of reparations or other amends for transatlantic slavery has been gaining momentum worldwide. Activists have said that reparations and policies to address the inequalities caused by Portugal's colonial past, including systemic racism, are essential.

The UN human rights chief has also called for governments to take action and adequately address the wrongs of the past, but European leaders have largely avoided meaningfully addressing the call for reparations. President Rebelo de Sousa's statements acknowledge Portugal's historical culpability for atrocities committed during the colonial era and hint at the necessity of reparations to mitigate the enduring impact of this history.

Key Takeaways

• Portugal's President acknowledges need to pay for slavery, colonial crimes
• Portugal trafficked nearly 6M Africans, more than any other European nation
• Lack of national recognition, children taught Portugal was "excellent colonizer"
• President says Portugal must "repair" past, take responsibility beyond apology
• Reparations and policies to address inequalities from colonial past are essential