CAMPAIGNERS against racism and colonialism condemned Reform today for an “utterly ridiculous” proposal to block visas for anyone coming from a country that calls for reparations for the slave trade.

Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf claimed Britain made “huge sacrifices to be the first major power to outlaw slavery” and it was “insulting” that some countries wanted reparations.

But Zita Holbourne of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts told the Morning Star the question was “not relevant when considering who gets a visa,” suggesting to deny visas based on such a concern would violate applicants’ human rights.

“The proposal is clearly racist in intent, designed to target black people in communities,” she added.

“Britain’s wealth was built off the backs of colonisation and enslavement and trafficking of African people as human chattel…

“It is legitimate  to call for reparations for the damage, trauma, pain and economic impacts on individuals, communities and countries. Reparations in any case are not limited to financial compensation but can be about education, healing, knowledge, heritage and culture — as in [the Caribbean Community’s] 10-point plan.”

Caribbean Labour Solidarity president Luke Daniels said Mr Yusuf was “misguided in thinking that refusing visas will stop the movement demanding restorative justice for the enslavement of Africans.

“For over 200 years Britain supported the trade in Africans and paid the enslavers for loss of property when they ended it. The enslaved received not a penny when the criminal activity was ended.

“That he thinks Britain should be applauded for ending the crime they benefited from is a sick joke.”

Labour dismissed Reform’s proposal as a “desperate gimmick.”