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Grammy award winning Reggae artist Jimmy Cliff performs on stage during the Timbre Rock & Roots Festival 2013 on March 22, 2013 in Singapore

Grammy award winning Reggae artist Jimmy Cliff performs on stage during the Timbre Rock & Roots Festival 2013 on March 22, 2013 in Singapore

*Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has backed calls for European nations to pay reparations to Caribbean countries targeted by the slave trade.

The issue made headlines this week after leaders of 15 Caribbean nations issued a demand for official apologies and compensation from countries including Britain and France for their part in the barbaric practice.

Cliff, who hails from Jamaica, insists Caribbean communities have the right to be reimbursed.

“You know, you have all these brethren, they were saying, ‘Look, the Queen is supposed to pay us back.’ There were lots of them who were very serious about it too and they have a logical point to prove,” he tells the London Evening Standard. “But look, the Jews have always highlighted what has happened, their plight, what has happened to them, and also say, ‘Ok, you did that, you’re supposed to pay us something back.’ So why not other people, like my ancestors? I think it’s a fair deal.”

IBW21

IBW21 (The Institute of the Black World 21st Century) is committed to enhancing the capacity of Black communities in the U.S. and globally to achieve cultural, social, economic and political equality and an enhanced quality of life for all marginalized people.