Elizabeth II’s death also reignited discussions in many countries about Britain’s colonial past. During the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, about 20 British colonies gained independence. But critics say the British monarch never actively cooperated in the freedoms of the oppressed nations.

“We do not mourn Elizabeth’s death.” So answer South African opposition party EFF over the death of the Queen of England. “He never admitted during his reign that Britain committed colonial atrocities.”

“The Queen has been instrumental in covering up Britain’s bloody history of decolonization.” That’s what historian and Harvard professor Maya Jasanoff said in The New York Times. “How big that history is, we haven’t found it yet.”

For example, during Elizabeth’s years on the throne, Britain brutally crushed a rebellion by Kenya’s anti-colonial Mau Mau movement. Some 11,000 rebels died in the former British colony between 1952 and 1960. Some were brutally tortured. In 2013, about five thousand Kenyan plaintiffs received compensation totaling over 20 million euros.

33 Cypriot victims also received compensation from Britain in 2019. Between 1955 and 1959 they were tortured on the Mediterranean island, which became independent in 1960.

Members of the Kikuyu tribe of Kenya in 1963. The Kikuyu participated in the Mau Mau rebellion.

Britain destroys documents on colonial crimes

We may never know all the crimes the British committed in the 37 colonies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. The former colonizers destroyed thousands of documents reporting slavery, racism, lynching and torture. This was done to cover up wrongdoing and protect the reputation of the government and the Queen, it was revealed Security in 2012.

What Elizabeth discusses weekly with the British Prime Minister about foreign policy is also not made public. What is certain is that the British monarch never clearly spoke out against colonialism in public. He doesn’t get any further than “we can’t go back in time”.

Elizabeth II greets native Canadian Chief David Ahenakew on a visit to the country in 1973.

For many, Elizabeth II is a symbol of colonial oppression

Elizabeth II stood symbolically at the head of the Commonwealth until her death. It is a voluntary partnership of 54 former British colonies, including Canada, Australia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and New Zealand.

In fact, Britain founded the Commonwealth to maintain as much influence as possible over the former colony. They still need guidance from the ‘more advanced’ England.

The Queen of England has no real political power. “But he embodied his country’s colonial policies in all his travels.” recommended journalist and former foreign correspondent Howard W. French. “He never criticized it.”

Mixed feelings among Commonwealth residents

Many Commonwealth residents have mixed feelings about the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch in history. “Bad things happen here because of the queen,” a resident of the former Jamaica colony told youth news.

“They never apologized,” a compatriot chimed in of the former British colonizer. “And I don’t think it will get any better with Elizabeth’s son and successor, Charles.”