Religious leaders in debt plea

12 April 2012

Religious leaders have joined forces to put pressure on Tony Blair to tackle the "injustice" of international debt.

Seventeen leaders of faith and other communities urged the Prime Minister Tony Blair to take more action on the issue.

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, put his name to the plea to avert another "debt crisis" and "let the oppressed go free".

He was joined by Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth; Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, General Secretary, The Muslim Council of Britain; Rev Joel Edwards, General Director, Evangelical Alliance; and Hanne Stinson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association.

The letter called for a "new vision" of the relationship between rich and poor nations. It said unjust and unpayable debt must be cancelled and debt relief must not be used as an instrument of power and control. It also called for processes and decisions which prioritise the rights and needs of people who are poor.

The letter recognised that the Government has helped keep the issue on the international agenda and benefits have been brought.

"But the task is not complete," the letter said.

"When 10 years ago campaigners first proclaimed the vision of Jubilee a new start for poor people and poor nations it was a vision of justice, of openness and transparency, of new processes that would hold lenders responsible for the impact of their loans on people and the environment.

"Today we are once again committing ourselves to work for the realisation of that vision of Jubilee, urging our communities to continue to play their part as we call on you, and all world leaders whether of rich or poor countries to do the same.

"Without further action the existing international debt crisis will not be ended and the new debt crisis that is brewing will not be averted and people who are poor will continue to pay the price."

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