The UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch has slammed the British government for abstaining from a UN vote on slavery reparations, calling it “ignorance…or cowardice”.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade a “gravest crime against humanity” and urging countries to engage in structured dialogue on reparations.
Badenoch argues that Britain shouldn’t pay reparations since it led the fight to end slavery.
“We shouldn’t be paying for a crime we helped eradicate and still fight today,” she said.
The UK’s abstention contrasts with Russia, China, and Iran, which voted with others to demand trillions in reparations from UK taxpayers.
The resolution, backed by 123 countries, acknowledges the historical injustices of slavery and urges concrete steps to address its enduring social, economic, and cultural consequences.
