Urgent Reassessment of US and UN Involvement in Haiti’s Crisis Needed: An Open Letter
In an open letter sent in August 2024 to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Secretary-General Guterres, global social movements express deep concern over Haiti’s crisis, rooted in historical socio-economic inequality and foreign interference. They urge a reassessment of international involvement, calling for an end to foreign military presence and support for armed groups. The letter highlights the link between the influx of weapons and gang violence, urges an end to land grabbing, and demands respect for Haiti’s sovereignty. It emphasizes the need for a Haitian-led solution, supports agroecological practices for food sovereignty, and calls for the halt of deportations, advocating for local empowerment and investment in Haitian communities.
AUGUST 2024
President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Secretary-General Guterres,
We, social movements and allies around the world, are writing to express our grave concern regarding the current situation in Haiti and to urge an immediate reassessment of international involvement in the country. At the core of Haiti’s crisis is a long history of socio-economic inequality, political instability, and foreign interference.
Haiti is in a moment of deep political crisis, largely caused by ongoing legacies of colonization, military occupation and extractivism. The state and essential services are essentially in a state of dysfunction and for the large majority non-existent, with armed gangs terrorizing local communities, including in rural areas. The rise of armed gangs in Haiti is partly a result of international collaboration with illegitimate ruling factions and the interference in Haiti’s political affairs. It is imperative that the international community stops supporting these factions and instead, works towards dismantling the structures that empower gangs. At the same time, the reality of yet another wave of foreign military intervention has materialized, the consequences of which will enforce instability.
Social Movements in Haiti are unequivocally rejecting the presence of foreign troops, demanding their immediate withdrawal. While they remain in the country, it is imperative that detailed, transparent information be regularly disseminated, both within Haiti and internationally, regarding the activities of these foreign forces. This includes full disclosure of their operations, any actions they are taking, and whether any civilians have been harmed or killed, supported by credible sources. Human rights organizations should be given access to all documents and reports regarding the mission. Public accountability must be a priority to ensure that the people of Haiti, as well as the global community, are fully informed of the situation on the ground.
Haiti’s unfolding political crisis has been exacerbated by historical and recent international actions that have consistently undermined the country’s sovereignty. The U.S. intervention in Haiti is historical and continues today. Following the assassination of the Haitian President in July 1915, President Woodrow Wilson sent the United States Marines to invade Haiti, claiming to be restoring order and maintaining political and economic stability in the Caribbean. The U.S. real intentions were to control Haiti’s natural resources and interfere in the political affairs of Haiti. This strategy of invading and occupying Haiti was repeated multiple times by the U.S. in collaboration with the UN. The impacts of these occupations were devastating. Besides killing thousands of Haitians, U.S. interference destabilized Haiti’s economic and political structures. Occupation officials also militarized Haiti to an unprecedented extent by creating the Gendarmerie (later renamed the Garde d’Haiti). Finally, the occupation eroded local governance and solidified the influence of the United States and other foreign nations upon Haiti.
The current presence of United Nations authorized troops and foreign non-governmental organizations evokes images of the U.S. occupation. The U.S. occupation of and interference in Haiti takes various forms. In addition to the military occupation, the U.S. has meddled in electoral processes, changing the results of ballots, backing the PHTK (Haitian Tèt Kale Party) regime, and propping up Ariel Henry. The U.S. remains involved through “aid”, trade, and the dumping of food items such as rice, which undermines local food systems, grabbing peasants’ land. The U.S. persists in its long history of denying protections to Haitians fleeing violence and disregarding its non-refoulement obligations. Despite escalating violence over the past several months and a near doubling of internally displaced people (almost 600,000 people in 2024), the U.S. continues to deport, intercept, and repatriate Haitians attempting to escape by boat. It is contradictory to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status while simultaneously returning people to the very conditions from which they are fleeing.
The transition plan put forward by the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) in the wake of Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation included the creation of a presidential council and the appointment of an interim prime minister. However, instead of reassuring the Haitian people, the plan has provoked serious concerns about the credibility of the council members and their political allegiances. The presence of Fritz Alphonse Jean, a representative of the Montana Accord, on the presidential council has not alleviated these concerns, especially since the council has not incorporated the Montana Accord’s demands. It is important to point out that most members of the Transitional Presidential Council support PHTK, indicating that the political narrative of recent years remains unchanged.
Many Haitians have raised valid questions about how those implicated in the turmoil can be trusted with its resolution. There is likewise increasing unease among Haitian social movements about how another foreign intervention would encroach upon Haitian sovereignty as previous ones have done, and inhibit inclusive, sustainable long term political growth.
Demands 1) Stop Sending Foreign Troops and Interfering in Haiti’s Domestic Affairs:
The history of foreign interference in Haiti has consistently resulted in further destabilization and undermining of Haitian sovereignty. Previous foreign interventions have not resolved Haiti’s crises, but rather exacerbated them. The materialized deployment of Kenyan troops under the auspices of the United Nations is likely to follow this pattern.
We urge you to respect Haiti’s right to self-determination and cease all forms of external interference in its domestic affairs. This includes stopping any support to armed groups and allowing Haitians to determine their own path to stability and development without external interference. Social movements in Haiti have developed alternatives and sustainable responses to this crisis.
2) Stop the Flow of Weapons into Haiti:
The proliferation of gangs is directly linked to the influx of weapons, often originating from the United States. We demand stringent measures to prevent the flow of arms into Haiti to curb the violence. Those responsible for this situation, whether they live in Haiti or in the U.S., must be investigated and held accountable.
3) Stop Land Grabbing and Extractivism in Haiti:
U.S. companies and other multinational corporations are engaging in land grabbing for agricultural development aimed at export markets, as well as the extraction of mineral resources, such as gold. Additionally, these entities are establishing industrial free trade zones, particularly in the border areas between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These activities destroy the environment and contribute to displacement and economic disenfranchisement. We urge U.S. and UN authorities to take immediate action to stop structural adjustment programs and the neoliberalization of the Haitian economy. This will protect the rights and livelihoods of the Haitian people and preserve the environment from further harm.
4) Allow a Haitian-Led Domestic Solution to Unfold Without Interference:
Haitian social movements and civil society organizations have been working tirelessly towards achieving political sovereignty and addressing the humanitarian needs of their communities. The Montana Accord is a reflection of such work, which is grounded in human rights, and widely supported in Haiti. These efforts must be supported rather than undermined by foreign interventions. We urge you to respect these grassroots initiatives such as the Montana Accord in leading the path to resolution without external interference.
5) Stop Deportations to Haiti:
No one should be sent back to Haiti at this time, either via deportation or repatriation. The recent Temporary Protected Status extension and redesignation for Haiti is a positive step and an overdue recognition of the danger and violence facing people in Haiti. In these circumstances, the U.S. government must halt all deportations and repatriations.
6) Support Agroecology for Food Sovereignty in Haiti:
As organizations that have worked closely in Haiti and with Haitians, we wish to bring to your attention the urgent demands from small-scale food producers, human rights defenders, and organizations of other sectors who are striving to prevent the ongoing humanitarian and environmental crisis. Rural Haitian workers are calling for support and investment in small-scale, farmer-led agroecological agricultural systems. These sustainable systems are essential for achieving true food sovereignty and solidarity in Haiti, which is foundational for the other forms of sovereignty to which it is linked.
THE PATH FORWARD
The path to resolving the crisis in Haiti lies in supporting local efforts and respecting the autonomy of the Haitian people. A National Monitoring Committee, with broader representation from political, social, and rural sectors, should oversee the transition, ensuring effective action on pressing issues like insecurity and economic revitalization.
Additionally, tackling the food shortage crisis requires supporting Haitian family farmers and investing in local agriculture. The international community should provide assistance in a manner determined by Haitians themselves, supporting efforts to rebuild the nation from within.
Haiti’s history of resilience and struggle for sovereignty cannot be ignored. We urge you to listen to the voices of the Haitian people and support their call for a domestic, Haitian-led solution to this crisis. Only by upholding the will of the Haitian people can we hope to see a stable, sovereign, and thriving Haiti – the implications of which will have regional reach.
Sincerely,
Signatories:
Grassroots International, United States
Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity, United States
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, United States
Tet Kole ti Peyizan Ayisyen, Haiti
Plateforme Haïtienne de Plaidoyer pour un Développement Alternatif (PAPDA), Haiti
World March of Women Kenya, Kenya
5Cs Human Rights Collective-Kenya, Kenya
Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, United States
La Via Campesina (LVC) International
Mouvman Peyizan Nasyonal Kongre Papay (MPNKP), Haiti
Mouvement paysan Acul du Nord (MPA), Haiti
Mouvement Paysan de Papaye (MPP), Haiti
Miami Workers Center, United States
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