JDC calls for Action of the Debt Relief Bill

Dear Friend,

As an affiliated member of JDC, I'd like to ask for your help in the
coming month.

On 26 February, the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill will
receive its second reading. This bill aims to prohibit the activities
of vulture funds and, although not perfect, we believe will have a big
impact on the ability of these funds to operate. We also believe this
is the last chance to enact a bill that will stop vulture funds
preying on the poorest countries for, perhaps, many years. We need to
mobilise as many people as possible to contact their MP before 26 Feb.

You will probably know better than me the possible avenues you have
for raising awareness, but to give you some ideas, we'd really
appreciate it if you could:

- send an email to your members or affiliates asking them to lobby
their MPs. We have template actions you can send to your comms team.
Even if it only appears as one item amongst many, it could really make
all the difference. We are asking MPs to do two things: sign the new
EDM on vultures 618 and attend and support the bill on 26 Feb;
- feature the campaign on your website or any journal you might have
going out between now and the end of Feb;

- attend a reception for MPs, the press and supporters in the House
of Commons on Wednesday 10 Feb from 1pm (formal invites will go out
soon).

Any other help you can offer - please don't hesitate to contact me.
In particular, we lost our Policy Officer at the end of November and
currently don't have enough money to replace her. Funds are very tight
- as I know they are for you all - but re-affiliating or making a
donation will all help the campaign. Or indeed seconding a staff
member for a couple of weeks.

We really look forward to working with you to end the vulture
culture.

Best wishes,

Nick Dearden

Jubilee Debt Campaign, 19/01/2010