A local advocacy group is pressing the Government to move beyond talk and deliver concrete results for Bermudian families affected by historic land dispossession.

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB] issued a statement this week welcoming the recent House of Assembly debate on the 2021 Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Historical Land Losses. The organisation said the parliamentary discussion represents an important step, but stressed that words must now be matched by meaningful action to honour affected families, preserve their histories and address the lasting harm caused by dispossession.

The Commission of Inquiry, established to examine claims that land was unjustly taken from Bermudians — often through questionable legal and financial practices — delivered its findings in 2021, documenting cases spanning generations. Many of the impacted families were Black Bermudians whose property losses had lasting effects on wealth and opportunity across the island.

CURB noted that it made a submission to the Commission in October 2020 and has continued to advocate for remedies that go beyond symbolic acknowledgment. The group has called for tangible measures, including compensation and formal recognition of the injustices suffered, arguing that unresolved land grievances remain a significant barrier to racial equity in Bermuda.

The debate in the House of Assembly has renewed public attention on the report's recommendations, with community stakeholders watching closely to see whether the Government will introduce legislation or programmes to implement the Commission's findings in the months ahead.