On the occasion of Ratsitatane Remembrance Day, observed on April 15, the Kolektif Reparasyon Avansman Kreol (KRAK) submitted a petition to the municipality of Port-Louis. He demands that the Coco Garden, in Plaine-Verte, near the place where the Malagasy prince Ratsitatane had been detained before being beheaded in 1822, be renamed after him. This approach is part of a quest for reparation through commemoration.
April 15 marks the anniversary of the execution of the Malagasy prince Ratsitatane, by the colonial authority, in 1822. On this occasion, KRAK - which works to promote restorative justice for the after-effects of slavery - submitted a petition to the municipal council of Port-Louis, demanding that the Jardin Coco, in Plaine-Verte, be renamed Jardin Ratsitatane.
The collective is also requesting authorization to erect a memorial monument at this location in homage to the Malagasy prince and freedom fighter, Ratsitatane. In its letter accompanying the petition, KRAK specifies that this approach is based on the recommendations of the Truth and Justice Commission of 2011. namely, restoring historical justice, commemorating as a form of reparation and promoting national social cohesion.
On the first point, the Truth and Justice Commission denounced a "parody of justice", after having carefully examined the 1822 trial. The report mentions that Governor Farquhar personally intervened to obtain the execution of Ratsitatane For political purposes. KRAK points out that the Commission recommended a formal review of the historic trials linked to the slave trade and rebellions, explicitly citing Ratsitatane's case as requiring a "rectification of the historical and legal record", in order to recognize the political nature of his struggle.
On the point of commemoration as reparation, the Truth and Justice Commission highlights the "duty of memory" of the Republic of Mauritius towards the victims of colonialism, while recommending the establishment of "memorials and monuments", in key public spaces in order to celebrate figures of resistance. “The Coco Garden, located near the penal colony where Prince Ratsitatane was detained before his execution, constitutes the ideal site for this tribute,” says the collective.
Regarding national social cohesion, the Truth and Justice Commission identifies the renaming of public spaces as essential to "achieving social justice and national unity." KRAK believes that by approving this petition, the Port Louis municipal council is fulfilling its obligation to local level to implement the national vision of the CVJ in terms of restorative justice.
KRAK also highlights the context of this request, with the recent statement from the A
Enjoying Mauritius News in English?
You've used 2 of your 5 free articles today. Subscribe for unlimited access plus a daily newsletter.
