Blair 'Sorrow' Over Slave Trade

Author: BBC Staff
Source: BBC News (Link)
Date: 27 November 2006
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Document Type: Press

Donor: Great Britain	Event Date: circa 1619 until the early nineteenth century
Recipient: Victims of Slavery	Reparation Date: November 27, 2006

Reason:

Between approximately 1619 and 1807 a large number of Africans were transported to the Americas, the Caribbean and elsewhere as slaves to be used as forced domestic and agricultural labourers.  Much of the trade in slaves was carried out by British merchants and shippers with the support of the British Government.

Compensation:

Apology

Summary:

As part of the commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a statement to the newspaper New Nation in which he expressed the "deep sorrow" of the British Government that the slave trade happened.

Miscellaneous:

Prime Minister Blair's comments were criticised in some quarters as representing something less than a full apology.

Keywords:

Prime Minister,Tony Blair,apology,slavery,slave trade,Britain,UK,United Kingdom,abolition