Your argument—that the United Kingdom (UK) should have voted against the resolution as opposed to its abstention vote because it “led the fight to end slavery”—reflects a selective reading of history that fails to acknowledge the full continuum of exploitation that has shaped the relationship between Britain and Africa.

While the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade is a historical fact, it did not mark the end of exploitation. Rather, it was followed by formal colonial domination, during which African lands, labour, and resources were systematically extracted to fuel European industrialisation—often under brutal conditions that replicated and extended systems of coercion and dispossession. The economic and social consequences of this era remain deeply embedded in the structural inequalities African workers face today.

Furthermore, the legacy of exploitation did not end with political independence. Current global economic arrangements continue to reflect neo-colonial patterns—manifested in unfair trade systems, extractive value chains, debt dependency, and the persistent marginalisation of African economies within global governance structures. These realities are not abstract; they translate into precarious work, suppressed wages, weakened public systems, and limited opportunities for millions of African workers.

It is therefore both troubling and regrettable that you would dismiss the call for reparations as an unjust burden on taxpayers, rather than recognising it as a legitimate and necessary process of historical accountability and restorative justice.

Without embellishment, reparations are not about punishment—they are about acknowledgement, repair, and transformation. They constitute a moral imperative for addressing historical injustices and their present-day consequences, including underdevelopment, inequality, and systemic injustice.

If, as you assert, the United Kingdom played a role in ending slavery, then it should have been among the first to proudly support a resolution aimed at ensuring that such crimes against humanity are never repeated. Supporting the resolution would have signalled moral leadership, consistency, and a genuine commitment to human rights.

History cannot be rewritten. But it can be acknowledged—and its consequences addressed. For African workers, the United Kingdom’s abstention vote is unfortunate and appalling. We expect the UK to lead on policies and diplomatic efforts toward restitution for historical injustices to Africa, rather than act indifferently.

Please accept, Rt Hon Member of Parliament, the assurances of our highest consideration.

Signed for and on behalf of 18 million African workers, in Lomé, Togo, 30 March 2026
Akhator Joel Odigie
General Secretary ITUC-Africa