英國首相柏南稱對奴隸制度正式道歉持「開放」態度，但排除賠償

倫敦，10月31日（路透社）——英國首相安迪・柏南（Andy Burnham）表示，他對於要求英國就其在奴隸制度歷史中扮演的角色正式道歉的呼聲持開放態度。他下週將出席大英國協峰會，屆時可能面臨提出金錢賠償的要求。LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain's historical role in slavery, before attending next week's Commonwealth summit at which he is likely to face demands for financial reparations.

柏南在《衛報》撰文表示，英國正在「與受跨大西洋奴隸貿易影響的人展開有架構的對話」；在這段貿易中，至少有1250萬名非洲人遭綁架並被賣為奴隸。Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Burnham said Britain was "offering a structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade", in which at least 12.5 million Africans were abducted and sold into slavery.

他補充說：「聆聽代表英國政府正式道歉的訴求，將是這項過程的重要一環，而我對此持開放態度。」"Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process, and I am open to them," he added.

但柏南拒絕金錢賠償的要求，寫道：「我不認為今天的英國人民能被要求為歷史上的錯誤承擔責任，無論那些錯誤多麼令人髮指；那些事情發生在不同的時代、不同的法律之下，而他們本人並未參與其中。」But Burnham rejected calls for financial reparations, writing: "I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part."

根據跨大西洋奴隸貿易資料庫（Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database），15世紀至19世紀期間，數以百萬計非洲人被歐洲商人賣為奴隸，其中英國估計將320萬人運送橫越大西洋。From the 15th to the 19th century, millions of Africans were sold into slavery by European traders, with Britain transporting an estimated 3.2 million people across the Atlantic, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database.

在安地卡及巴布達舉行的大英國協政府首腦會議（Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting）登場前，英王查爾斯（King Charles）的發言人表示，查爾斯此行「不會迴避面對過去最可恥的面向」。Ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, a spokesperson for King Charles said he "will not shy away from confronting the most shameful aspects of the past" during his visit.

查爾斯是大英國協這個由56國組成、主要為英國前殖民地的組織元首。他的發言人補充說：「要他談及與英國政府立場相關的特定政策事項並不適當。」A spokesperson for Charles — head of the Commonwealth group of 56 nations, mainly former British colonies — added: "It would not be appropriate for him to address matters of particular policy relating to the UK government's position."

查爾斯持續接受癌症治療，不過白金漢宮一名資深幕僚表示，他「仍一如既往努力工作，跨越不同時區、行程滿檔」。Charles continues to receive treatment for cancer, though a senior Buckingham Palace aide said he was "working as hard as ever, across time zones with packed schedules".

加勒比海地區領袖預料將敦促滿足賠償要求；他們經常以債務減免、發展融資、教育、醫療保健和氣候韌性的形式來表述這些要求。Caribbean leaders are expected to press demands for reparations, which they have often framed in terms of debt relief, development finance, education, healthcare and climate resilience.

柏南也在《衛報》寫道，他希望「發起一項新的債務推動行動」，包括協助更多脆弱國家「以較長期限和較佳利率償還債務」。Burnham also wrote in the Guardian that he wanted to "launch a new drive on debt", including by helping more vulnerable countries "repay over a longer time period and with better rates".

安地卡及巴布達總理加斯頓・布朗恩（Gaston Browne）對柏南的談話與務實援助提案表示歡迎，不過他在臉書貼文補充說：「加勒比海地區對賠償正義的一貫立場仍未改變。」Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed Burnham's comments and proposals for practical assistance, though he added in a Facebook post: "The Caribbean's longstanding position on reparatory justice remains unchanged."

（Sam Tobin報導；Alex Richardson與Paul Simao編輯）(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Alex Richardson and Paul Simao)