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Haitian Civil Society Leaders Testify to US Congress

Fri, 09/30/2022 - 12:06am by Tom

The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing titled, Haiti at the Crossroads: Civil Society Responses for a Haitian-led Solution on Thursday, September 29. The speakers from Haiti were Vélina Élysée Charlier of Noupapdòmi, Mary Rosy Auguste Ducena from the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), and Alermy Piervilus, director of the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH). Former US ambassador to Haiti, Pamela White also testified.

Haitian civil society leaders testified that the Henry government has no constitutional mandate, and little legitimacy within Haiti. The Biden administration should stop giving Henry unconditional support. An agreement on a democratic transition can only happen if the Biden administration “takes its hands off the scale.”

Further recommendations included taking more determined steps to stop the illicit sales of weapons from the United States to Haiti, and considering targeted sanctions against people who are supporting the gangs. In Vélina Charlier’s written statement she says,

It is necessary to put things in perspective and establish responsibilities. The international interference has done a lot of damage to the country as well. Haitian people are tired of this interference and are asking for a change in the international policy towards Haiti. We want to move from the stage of assistance to an active international cooperation where Haitians become the real actors who define and implement the major projects for the development of their country.

The full hearing can be watched below.

Haiti at the Crossroads: Civil Society Responses for a Haitian-led Solution

During the question and answer, Vélina Charlier also made a clear statement that Congress should oppose any kind of military intervention.

The Quixote Center issued a statement opposing military intervention in Haiti last month, which we have translated to Haitian Kreyole. The original statement is here. The translation is available here.

Action for Haiti: White House Demonstration, Oct. 9

If you are in the Washington, D.C. metro area, join a large coalition of groups for a demonstration at the White House on Sunday, October 9, 2022. We will meet at 16th and H and march to the White House, demanding that Biden stop propping up a lawless and corrupt government. You can endorse the march here.

Blog, Haiti, News & Events

Tom Ricker

Program Director

Tom began working in international solidarity in 1995 following a life changing trip to Nicaragua. He joined the current staff in January of 2018 and has worked with the Quixote Center twice before (2001-2008, and 2011-2014).

  • Read more about Tom Ricker
Quixote Center
Promoting Justice, Seeking Peace

The Quixote Center empowers vulnerable families and communities to become the artisans of their own destiny through transforming oppressive systems and structures.  Inspired by liberation theology and Catholic Social Teaching, we do this through sustainable development, advocacy, economic justice, environmental, and educational initiatives.  Our current focus is on Nicaragua and Haiti, where we support programs to empower impoverished families and communities, and support for migrants in Mexico and Central America, where we work to mitigate the damage of US immigration policies. Together with our partners, we dream of a world more justly loving. 

Mailing address:
PO Box 1950, Greenbelt, MD 20768

Physical Address:
6305 Ivy Lane, Ste 255, Greenbelt, MD 20770

info@quixote.org
301-699-0042

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