ACT NOW: Investigate dictator debts
In early 2011 the Egyptian people overthrew dictator Hosni Mubarak. But his debts remain, and the UK is still expecting payment. It’s not just Egypt: Iraq, Kenya and Indonesia still owe millions to the UK for debts run up by their dictators.
Jubilee Debt Campaign believes the British government must take responsibility for the support given to dictatorial regimes through loans to buy arms and other goods. As Egyptians continue their struggle for democracy, it’s time to break the chains of dictator debt.
What we are calling for
- No one should have to pay a debt when the lender refuses to explain its origin. We are calling for a full investigation – a debt audit – to reveal how debts owed to the UK by developing nations were run up in the first place.
- No one should have to pay an unjust debt. We already know that some debts owed to the UK resulted from deals with dictators, arms exports and other projects which have fuelled human rights abuses and corruption. We are calling for the cancellation of these unjust debts.
Take action!
Please write to the new Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, and ask him audit debts to the UK, cancel those found to be unjust, and adopt a prohibitions list to prevent debts likes these being created in the future.