Documentary · History

Britain, Jamaica & Reparations: Who Owes What—and Why?

The case. The record. The arguments.

An original documentary from The Caribbean Current examining the historical, legal and economic case for reparations for slavery in the Caribbean — grounded in primary documents, official records and academic scholarship.

Feature-length · Released August 1, 2026

Full Documentary

Watch the film

Britain, Jamaica & Reparations: Who Owes What—and Why?

The case. The record. The arguments.

For more than two centuries, slavery shaped Jamaica's economy, institutions and relationship with Britain. Today, the question of reparations remains one of the Caribbean's most important — and most misunderstood — public debates.

This original documentary from The Caribbean Current examines the historical, economic and moral arguments surrounding reparations. It explores Britain's role in slavery and abolition, compensation paid to slave owners, Jamaica's experience after emancipation and independence, the responsibilities of governments and institutions today, and the question at the centre of the debate:

What could fair reparations actually look like?

The documentary examines the evidence, competing arguments and historical precedents without reducing the issue to slogans or political talking points.

The Facts. The Context. The Conversation.

Watch on YouTube

Synopsis

An original documentary from The Caribbean Current examining the historical, legal and economic case for reparations for slavery in the Caribbean — grounded in primary documents, official records and academic scholarship.

Trailer

Sources & References

Credits

  • Production: The Caribbean Current

Research Library

Scan or tap the code to open the full source archive behind this film.

Related reporting

Read more from this story