For questions about how to contact members of the delegation contact Bill Quigley, quigley@loyno.edu or 504-861-5590 or fax 504-861-5440 or mail 7214 St. Charles Avenue, Box 902, New Orleans, LA 70118.
Contents:
- Delegation Members
- Summary
- People and Places Visited
- Criteria Used
- Observations
- Conclusions and Suggestions for Action
- Sources for Additional Information
Delegation Members
This delegation visited Haiti on a human rights mission on behalf of Pax Christi USA, a section of Pax Christi International, the Catholic peace movement. The members of the delegation were:
- Johanna Berrigan, House of Grace Catholic Worker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Kathleen Boylan, Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Washington, DC
- Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit Michigan
- Bill Quigley, Loyola University New Orleans School of Law
- Bob DellaValle-Rauth, Pax Christi USA Haiti Task Force, Virginia
Summary
Human rights conditions are worse in Haiti now then they have been in years.
We agree with the Haitian people that the forced exile of President Aristide by the U.S. was effectively a coup that eliminated the elected government of the people and replaced it with an illegally appointed government of the minority with economic and military power, supported by the U.S., France and Canada.
Many of the democratically elected government leaders and their supporters are in prison and thousands have been made into refugees in their own country while former military, gangs and rebels affiliated with those in power are often allowed to do as they please. We are very concerned about the widespread re-emergence of the previously dissolved military, which has historically been a challenge to and oppressive to an independent civil society. The military has also often served as an avenue through which the U.S. has exerted power over Haiti.
The delegation strongly believes that the rule of law is being disregarded in the exile, arrest, beatings, executions, and detention of the people who were democratically chosen by the people of Haiti to govern. People affiliated with the elected government and those concerned about human rights have been beaten and arrested and homes burned and run off to live in hiding. The Haitian constitution and international law are being openly violated. We agree with the people that the rule of law must be reinstated.
The international community must start by restoring the elected representatives of the people. This means explicitly the return of President Aristide and the release of all political prisoners. It must also begin disarming the rebels, terrorists, former military, and anyone else threatening life. The U.S. should also stop selling M-16s to the Dominican Republic and to Haiti.
Human rights in Haiti needs immediate international attention. Current people in power have said publicly that local human rights organizations are stirring up troubles - a threatening warning to stop human rights investigations. International human rights groups must step up monitoring human rights.
We challenge the role of the international community, particularly the U.S. in Haiti. The primary concern of recent US policy in Haiti has not been for democracy, human rights, or fairness to the poor and powerless. It must be. All Americans must insist that our policy help protect democracy, the rule of law, the Constitution of Haiti, human rights and the protection of the poor.
We call for journalists and media to stop the misinformation about what has happened and what is happening in Haiti. Help stop the fear and protect the people, especially the poor and powerless who always suffer the most.
The situation of the poor in Haiti is worsening. The poor are being victimized by economic forces and again by human rights abuses. The basics of life cost two to three times more than before the coup. There are increasing numbers of people who are internal refugees from political violence in their own country. People have lost family members and all their possessions. They have been uprooted from their communities. The plight of workers is deteriorating. Inflation is rising and the minimum wage is declining. The exile of President Aristide has resulted in increased power for business and decreased the bargaining power of individual workers and independent labor unions. Education is at a standstill. The people of the countryside (the majority of the population of Haiti) are under control of the rebels and former military who have created a reign of terror - house burnings, random arrests, brutal killings, and confiscation of property. The military are reorganizing in Petit Goave, Jacmel, Hinche and planning to do so in all departments.
We call for action. Action to restore the elected government of President Aristide. Legislative action to assist the people and institutions of Haiti. Direct action to assist those seeking justice in these very challenging times. Some groups whose support for President Aristide decreased in recent years are now calling for his return. Many poor people told us “We want Aristide back. He is our President. We need him more than ever. We have no one now.”
We call for prayers for the people of Haiti. They are our sisters and brothers and they are in crisis. We must remember them in our churches and in our prayers.
We call for increased solidarity with the people of Haiti. We applaud the good works being done by the many religious, educational and human rights groups in Haiti. But much more needs to be done. We especially encourage schools, churches and human rights groups to visit Haiti and meet the people directly and study and see the social and political conditions of the country for themselves. When they do, we are confident they will be moved to join them in solidarity in their quest for just and basic human dignity.
We believe that if all the people of the world saw what we saw, they would insist that justice be done for Haiti. We ask the world to look at the people of Haiti as our sisters and brothers. Recognizing that our sisters and brothers are in serious trouble, we must all work together to bring about disarmament and elimination of foreign (mostly US) weapons in their country and help them bring justice to their country.
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