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African and Asian artists condemn ‘humiliating’ UK and EU visa refusals

‘Unfair’ rejection rates of up to 70% harm cultural diversity and create a ‘global apartheid’, say promoters and musicians

Musicians, authors, producers and festival managers have hit out at “humiliating” and costly visa-rejection rates for African and Asian artists visiting Britain and European Union countries, saying it is having a chilling impact on cultural diversity. Photograph: Ian Davidson/AlamyLemn Sissay, a British poet and broadcaster, said that disproportionate UK and EU visa rejections for African and Asian visitors were part of a campaign of “delegitimising or shaming” people of colour. Emma Nzioka, a producer and DJ from Nairobi known as Coco Em, who is due to play at Glastonbury next week, said applying for a UK or EU visa was so complicated, costly and unequal that she felt ready to quit touring.

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