UN expert urges New York State debate on Sovereign Debt Stability Bill

The process of restructuring sovereign bonds has long been plagued with setbacks, cutting off nations in grave economic turmoil from international markets for years.

A UN expert today urged New York State authorities to adopt a bill to step up oversight of how debt from defaulted nations is restructured with creditors.

"The Sovereign Stability Debt Bill creates an opportunity to outline a transparent procedure for States grappling with economic turmoil to restructure their debts effectively," said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights.

New York lawmakers hope the Sovereign Stability Debt Bill – if enacted – will help nations in default to embark on quicker economic recovery and prevent holders of sovereign bonds from causing delays to win better terms. Nations in grave economic turmoil are often cut off from international lending markets for years due to delays and setbacks over sovereign bond restructuring.

The process of restructuring sovereign bonds has long been plagued with setbacks, cutting off nations in grave economic turmoil from international markets for years.

Earlier this month, the merger of two similar bills in the New York State Legislature revitalized a proposal that aims to regulate debt claims applicable to eligible debtor States, ensure equitable burden-sharing among all creditors participating in international debt initiatives, and limit the recoveries to private sector creditors at the same level as the United States Federal Government would if it was a creditor.

"The Bill is an important piece of legislation," Waris said. "The law is premised on recognition of the significant human rights impact of economic crisis and turmoil, including debt distress and disorderly defaults," the expert said.