UK party proposes visa ban for countries demanding slave reparations

The UK political party Reform UK has proposed denying visas to citizens of countries seeking compensation for the transatlantic slave trade, Reuters reports.

The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from CARICOM, which described it as “a legacy of toxic racism.” The proposal targets Commonwealth countries, including Ghana and Jamaica. Reform UK representative Zia Yusuf called reparations demands “insulting” and claimed they ignore Britain’s historical role in abolishing slavery.

The African Union and Caribbean nations have long insisted on reparations to address the economic and social consequences of slavery. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously stated that he prefers “look forward” rather than have “endless discussions about reparations on the past.”

CARICOM Chair Hilary Beckles described the visa proposal as “tragic.” In the past, the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for reparations, from which the UK abstained.