On Tuesday 20th March Jubilee Scotland organised a launch event for a unique set of Sovereign Debt Arbitration Rules, which were presented by the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP. The event, held at the Scottish Arbitration centre in Edinburgh, marks another step in the ambitious campaign to make Scotland a seat of arbitration for unfair and unpayable debt.
Attendees at the Jubilee Scotland People's Debt Tribunal at the Scottish Parliament yesterday voted overwhelmingly for the cancellation of $3bn worth of unjust debt owed by the Philippines to the World Bank.
Jubilee Scotland has created a briefing to help supporters answer tricky questions about using the Scottish Arbitration Act to cancel the unjust debts of the poorest countries of the world. You can download it here or contact the office on 0131 225 4321 to order a copy.
We are pleased to announce that Patrick Harvie, MSP, on behalf of Jubilee Scotland, has officially lodged motion S4M00148, 'Supporting Jubilee Scotland's call for Debt Arbitration'. This motion is a vital part of Jubilee Scotland's Defuse the Debt Crisis campaign this year.
We now need your help to ensure that as many MSPs as possible sign up to this motion - and in doing so bring us a significant step closer to debt justice. If you are signed up to our quarterly newsletter, you will be receiving a postcard which will allow you to contact your MSP about this motion.
A Debt Story from Tanzania
By Deus M Kibamba
Over 40 Jubilee Scotland campaigners attended the lanch of the Defuse the Debt Crisis campaign in Holyrood on March 22nd. Academics, MSPs and members of our grassroots network came together to hear all about the campaign, calling for Scotland to become a seat of fair and transparent debt arbitration. The group was addressed by the Reverend Elisabeth Cranfield, Convenor of Jubilee Scotland, Campaigns Director James Picardo, Iain Thom of the World Development Movement, and finally by Des McNulty MSP. All emphasised the importance of this campaign in bringing justice to the world's poorest people, and standing up for Scottish principles of fairness and compassion.
Our Defuse the Debt Crisis campaign is calling for Scotland to become the world’s first arbiter of international debt, giving the Global South a chance to make their voices heard. See if your MSP has supported our motion calling for the promotion of Scotland as a seat of arbitration, or contact us to find out how you can get involved in the campaign.
21 April
2010
