The death of Elizabeth II also reignited the discussion in many countries about the British colonial past. During the queen’s 70 years to the throne, some 20 British colonies gained independence. But critics argue that the British monarch never actively collaborated in the freedom of those oppressed countries.
“Let’s not mourn Elizabeth’s death”. Like this he answered the South African opposition party EFF on the death of the British queen. “She never acknowledged that Britain committed colonial atrocities during her reign.”
“The Queen was instrumental in hiding the bloody history of British decolonization.” This is what Harvard historian and professor Maya Jasanoff said The New York Times. “How big that story is, we have yet to find out.”
For example, during the years at the throne of Elizabeth, the British brutally suppressed a revolt of the Kenyan anti-colonial Mau Mau movement. About 11,000 rebels were killed in the former British colony between 1952 and 1960. Some were brutally tortured. In 2013, some five thousand Kenyan claimants received compensation totaling over € 20 million.
33 Cypriot victims also received compensation from the British in 2019. Between 1955 and 1959 they were tortured on the Asian island which gained independence in 1960.
Members of the Kenyan Kikuyu people in 1963. The Kikuyu participated in the Mau Mau uprising.
Members of the Kenyan Kikuyu people in 1963. The Kikuyu participated in the Mau Mau uprising. Photo: Getty Images
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The British destroyed documents on colonial crimes
We may never know all the crimes committed by the British in 37 colonies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Former colonizers destroyed thousands of documents denouncing slavery, racism, executions without trial and torture. This was done to cover up irregularities and protect the reputation of the government and the queen, he revealed The Guardian in 2012.
What Elizabeth discussed weekly with the British Prime Minister on foreign policy is also not public. What is certain is that the British monarch has never spoken out clearly against colonialism in public. She didn’t go much further than “we can’t go back into the past”.
Elizabeth II greets Canadian native chief David Ahenakew on a visit to the country in 1973.
Elizabeth II greets Canadian native chief David Ahenakew on a visit to the country in 1973. Photo: Getty Images
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For many, Elizabeth II was a symbol of colonial oppression
Elizabeth II symbolically remained at the head of the Commonwealth until her death. It is a voluntary partnership of 54 former primarily British colonies, including Canada, Australia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and New Zealand.
In fact, the British founded the Commonwealth to keep as much influence over the former colonies as possible. They would still need guidance from the “more developed” UK.
The British queen had no real political power. “But she embodied the colonial policies of her country in all of her travels”, suggested journalist and former foreign correspondent Howard W. French. “He never criticized him.”
Mixed feelings among Commonwealth residents
Many Commonwealth residents have mixed feelings in response to the death of the longest-serving monarch in British history. “Bad things happened here because of the queen,” said a resident of the former colony of Jamaica youth news.
“They never apologized,” said a fellow countryman on the former British colonizer. “And I don’t think he’ll do better with Elizabeth’s son and successor, Charles.”
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