Traidcraft day in Westminster

Traidcraft campaigners outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Traidcraft is calling for people in developing countries who've been harmed by UK companies to be able to get justice in the UK, if necessary.

Campaigners spent a day meeting MPs, Ministers and their staffs in the three departments involved in reviewing the Action Plan for Business and Human Rights. At each of the three departments, they got a warm reception from civil servants who will be advising ministers on the outcome of the review.

They left with them three heart shaped helium balloons, both as a reminder that they want access to justice at the heart of the review, and as the balloons hover over the heads of the civil servants, it will act as a reminder for them about the campaign.

The day ended with an ecumenical service at St Margaret's Westminster, attended by Westminster's Lord Mayor, Cllr Lady Christabel Flight, the Rector Rev Andrew Tremlett, various MPs, including Stephen Timms, and volunteers, traders and supporters of Traidcraft in the capital.

Moving stories were told of how people can be and have been appallingly treated by big businesses, just because they live in the wrong place; and how Traidcraft has helped to obtain legal redress for them through the UK courts. That work continues to be vital, along with so much of Traidcraft's activity in supporting individuals and organisations across the world, developing products and markets, and combating poverty through trade.

As the speaker, Martin Charlesworth, Executive Director of Jubilee+, reflected, Traidcraft was born out of a Christian social and economic vision and the reading from Isaiah 42 helps to centre us in our religious thinking on justice and its importance. The service gave us the chance to reflect on our own roles, where we fall short ourselves, and where we might be able to help.

The call to action was to buy goods from Traidcraft, to donate to the linked charity Traidcraft Exchange and to pray and stand up for Justice, by joining their campaign at: www.traidcraft.co.uk/campaigns