The Trump administration has faced allegations of imposing visa sanctions on five Europeans, including a former Labour adviser, in what is being described as an “authoritarian attack.” Imran Ahmed, associated with Keir Starmer’s top adviser Morgan McSweeney, was singled out by the US for his involvement with the Centre of Countering Digital Hate (CDHC). The CCDH, led by Mr. Ahmed, has been targeted for its support of the UK’s Online Safety Act and the EU’s Digital Services Act, which are seen as expanding censorship globally.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Mr. Ahmed and four others of trying to influence American platforms to suppress viewpoints they oppose, leading to their prohibition from entering the United States. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security may initiate deportation proceedings against these individuals. Mr. Ahmed founded CCDH after witnessing a rise in antisemitism and the tragic murder of his colleague, MP Jo Cox, by a white supremacist.
Elon Musk previously labeled CCDH a “criminal organization,” sparking a declaration of “war” from the organization to persist in their mission. The CCDH aims to safeguard human rights and civil liberties online, holding social media companies accountable for enabling hate speech and disinformation proliferation.
Clare Melford, another European executive targeted by the visa sanctions, condemned the US government’s actions as an assault on free speech and government censorship. The Liberal Democrats’ Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Calum Miller, called for the UK government to speak out against the sanctions, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech while combatting harmful online content.
While countries have the right to establish visa regulations, the UK government reiterated its commitment to free speech and supporting initiatives that combat harmful online content such as child exploitation, incitement of violence, and dissemination of fake news.
