Italy Pays Libya Reparations - Will Other Colonisers Follow?

[Spursman]

Will the Italian move set a precedent? Will the other former colonial masters in Africa be willing to pay reparations for the civil wrongs and human rights abuses they visited on their so-called subjects?

Restitution must begin by saying you are sorry and acknowledging that colonialism was a crime against humanity whose consequences are still with us. An apology is required from countries that benefited from colonialism.

Mr Berlusconi had no qualms about that. "It is my duty, as a head of government to express to you in the name of the Italian people our regret and apologies for the deep wounds that we have caused you," he told the Libyans.

He even bowed before the son of Omar Mukhtar, the hero of Libyan resistance who was executed by the Italians for resisting their occupation.

Can we expect, for example, that one day a British PM will bow before a descendant of Mau Mau hero Dedan Kimathi and say: "I'm sorry for all the deep wounds we have caused you"?

Can we expect the British to acknowledge the massacre and devastation they caused during their punitive expeditions against the various Kenyan tribes when they first entered the country at the beginning of the 20th century?

Will they pay reparations? Or will they take the position of the Germans in Namibia (formerly German South West Africa)?


Paying money will never replace the loss, mental damage & humiliation, they were put through. Besides I have hard time believing some of them regret their wrong doings. Theres a more discreet form of colonization going on. The linguistic imperlialism, their economical & educational policies in the third world, shows they are indirectly, gaining control over their former colonies. Alongside with the UN, Wto, Imf, Worldbank, they are nothing but hypocrits. If they truly care about them, their actions would have proved it.

Anaga it was the italians british french

[Spursman]