Debate has intensified over slavery reparations as Commonwealth politicians insist they will not back down despite UK criticism.
In March, a resolution led by Ghana, describing the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans as “the gravest crime against humanity”, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution also called for reparations for affected nations and communities.
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, said on Monday that the UK was being “ridiculed on the world stage,” arguing that countries such as Jamaica, Nigeria and Ghana were increasing demands for reparations while the “Westminster establishment” had allegedly encouraged them.
“While countries like Jamaica, Nigeria and Ghana ramp up their demands for reparations, the Westminster establishment has rewarded them. Enough is enough”, he said.
Yusuf also noted that Sri Lanka, where his parents migrated from, is among countries seeking colonial redress from the United Kingdom.
However, Commonwealth leaders have pushed back strongly against such rhetoric.
On Tuesday, opposition leader and former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, accused Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, of “doing an imitative Trump” and attempting to introduce a “cultural wedge issue” that would “certainly isolate Britain further”.
“None of us in the Caribbean who are advocating reparations would be cowed by that sort of talk”, he said.
Reparations campaigners maintain that calls for justice over slavery and colonial exploitation will continue despite political opposition in the UK.
