British Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the UK government of “ignorance or cowardice” for abstaining in favour of a United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity and calling for reparations.
Badenoch, speaking on Thursday, said the decision reflected a failure to defend Britain’s historical record and national interests at the UN General Assembly.
“Either they are ignorant of history or they are cowards. The United Kingdom should have voted against this resolution,” she stated.
The non-binding resolution, adopted earlier this week with 123 votes in favour, three against and 52 abstentions, urged former slave-trading nations to consider apologies and reparatory measures.
Badenoch argued the text ignored Britain’s leading role in abolishing the trade and unfairly singled out the country.
She added: “This resolution is not about justice — it is about rewriting history to suit a political agenda.”
The UK government has not yet responded to her criticism. The resolution was backed by the African Union and Caribbean Community and forms part of a broader global push for reparatory justice.
