Mandela: Poverty is an evil on par with slavery
Nelson Mandela today said poverty in the developing world was an evil on a par with slavery and apartheid as he called on world leaders to honour their promises on aid and trade justice.
Speaking at a special rally of the Make Poverty History campaign in Trafalgar Square, the elder statesman of world politics said political leaders must not turn away from development problems.
He told a packed Trafalgar Square: “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”
He added: “Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times – times in which the world boasts breathtaking advances in science, technology, industry and wealth accumulation – that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils.”
Mr Mandela said the poverty that “trapped” developing nations was not natural but man-made, and could be eradicated by human beings.
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life,” he said.
“While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.”
To eradicate this poverty, Mr Mandela said developed nations must ensure international trade was fair, end the debt “crisis” for the poorest countries and give more in aid.
Mr Mandela urged world leaders: “Do not look the other way; do not hesitate. Recognise that the world is hungry for action, not words. Act with courage and vision.”
Mr Mandela is in the UK at the request of Tony Blair to meet finance ministers from the G7 countries, in what is the first official event of the UK’s presidency. The former South African president will meet ministers informally before the official dinner on Friday.
He has already met with Gordon Brown and will hold private talks with Mr Blair tonight.
