8/9/2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)_ACRRA & DIHR

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Between the African-Caribbean Reparations and Resettlement Alliance

and the Danish Institute for Human Rights

April 11, 2005

Whereas the U.S. Virgin Islands was formerly the Danish West Indies under the rule of the Kingdom ofDenmark,

Whereas during the period of 1671 to 1848, people of Africa were unjustly transported to the Danish

West Indies by trading companies under the authority of the King of Denmark, and were forced intochattel slavery,

Whereas the Kingdom of Denmark derived great wealth from the institution of slavery in the Danish WestIndies,

Whereas, the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands suffered economic, psychological, social and emotionalharm during the period of slavery in the Danish West Indies,

Whereas, elements of the institutions of slavery and the harms caused thereby continued after 1848,

Whereas in 1917, for $25,000,000 in gold bouillon, the Kingdom of Denmark sold the Danish West

Indies to the United States of America without consulting the descendants of the enslaved Africans,

Whereas it is important that both the people of the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of the U.S.Virgin Islands acknowledge this shared history,

Whereas it is also important that both the people of the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of the U.S.Virgin Islands create from this shared history, a shared future that is mutually beneficial,

Whereas to that end, in collaboration with Virgin Islands Danish Apprenticeship (VIDA) program, adelegation from the U.S. Virgin Islands under the auspices of the African-Caribbean Reparations andResettlement Alliance (ACRRA) traveled to the Kingdom of Denmark during the week of April 6-11,2005, and met with the Danish Institute of Human Rights (DIHR), to engage in discussions on how the

people of the U.S Virgin Islands and the people of the Kingdom of Denmark may enhance therelationship between them,

Whereas the ACRRA delegation and DIHR have found these discussions to be constructive and useful,

Whereas, in this context the parties have come to determine that reparations comprise education,restoration and reconciliation,

8/9/2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)_ACRRA & DIHR

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Now therefore:

1. ACRRA and DIHR have determined that it is worthwhile to continue the examination of thematters discussed in these meetings,

2. ACRRA and DIHR hereby agree to establish a Joint Task Force to examine the question ofreparations between the people of the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of the U.S Virgin

Islands with respect to the institution of slavery.

3. The members of the Joint Task Force shall be nominated in equal numbers by ACRRA andDIHR, with provision for observers.

4. The head of ACRRA and the head of DIHR, or their designee shall co-chair the joint task force.

5. The Joint Task Force shall examine initiatives in education, restoration and reconciliation, whichmay include among other things, historical and other research projects, conferences, lectureseries, cultural and other exchanges, and such other initiatives as the Joint Task Force may deemappropriate.

6. The Joint Task Force shall present a plan of action to ACRRA and DIHR within a period of nomore than one hundred and eighty (180) days.