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Motion · S6M-06603 · 3 Nov 2022

Edinburgh Apologises for Past Participation in Slave Trade and Colonialism

Lodged by Gordon MacDonald Standard Motion 20 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament welcomes the historic measure taken by the City of Edinburgh in apologising for its past participation in the slave trade and acknowledging its involvement in colonialism; believes that the apology, given on behalf of the city by the Lord Provost, is a necessary step in the collective pursuit for justice and equality; applauds the city for accepting the recommendation to apologise made by the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group, chaired by the Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University and Scotland’s first black professor, Sir Geoff Palmer; considers that such an apology can help create a sense of place that is educated and introspective; understands what it sees as the pertinence of the apology in its current global context, in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and reported widespread calls for admittance of involvement in past injustices; agrees with the reported comments by Sir Geoff that “An apology doesn’t buy bread but it gives another form of sustenance – it is about feeling that somebody has looked at something and recognised it was wrong”; notes what it sees as the role of Edinburgh as an influential world capital whose decisions, it believes, will undoubtedly evoke further conversation as to how other cities can best address their own colonial history, and praises reports of the positive reception for this action by the people of Edinburgh.

Supporters (20)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.