Dear Editor,
Reports of the treatment and conditions of Haitian migrants, including women and children who travelled to the Del Rio Texas Border, remind us yet again of the increasingly desperate plight of Haitian economic migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
As Caribbean people who work for gender, social, economic, and environmental justice, we stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti. We recognize our shared history of oppression through racism, forced migration, enslavement, indentureship, colonialism and neo-colonialism. We recall the Haitian people’s heroic revolution for freedom and how this victory was sabotaged by punitive measures and reprisals, including the exacting of compensation for former enslavers. We uphold the demand for reparations for Haiti for the unjust and cruel blockade and payment of millions to compensate former slave owners – it is a debt yet to be paid.
We are appalled therefore at the continuing political and economic destabilization that maintains persistent poverty and insecurity and undermines hope for a future of peace, equality, and a decent quality of life for Haitians.
Deteriorating conditions have been exacerbated by a tsunami-like series of disasters, stretching back to the 2010 earthquake. This year Haiti has been hit by another earthquake and a storm, causing further loss of lives and the destruction of communities – homes, infrastructure, hospitals, and other social services.
This is taking place even as the Haitian people, with meagre resources, struggle to deal with a raging global pandemic. The assassination of President Jovenel Moise has contributed to the destabilization in the country.
This destabilization allows for the rise, consolidation, and influence of gangs, as well as death and vigilante squads, all of whom operate with impunity. Countless Haitians have been killed and harmed, including human rights defenders and community activists as criminal gangs engage in turf wars for power and control of food and other resources.
Haitians are entitled to lives of dignity. Yet centuries of external domination and extraction mean that Haitians, despite their efforts at self-determination, continue to be marginalized and oppressed.
It is the human condition to look for ways out, to seek opportunities for peace and security, especially for the sake of children. And so, the international community has a responsibility to support Haitians in Haiti as well as those who flee because of despair and fear.
We condemn unequivocally the oppressive, racist, and inhumane treatment by US Border Patrol Agents against defenseless Haitians.
Within this context, we call on the President of the United States of America to end the deportation of Haitians to Haiti and we call for renewed efforts by CARICOM to accelerate and increase humanitarian and development efforts for the reconstruction of Haiti.
Beyond measures to assist those who leave Haiti, the people of Haiti must be supported in the establishment of a mechanism for genuine national dialogue among a diverse and credible representation of Haitians. This is necessary to reach broad consensus on a pathway to justice, democracy, reconciliation, renewal, and economic, cultural, and social sustainability. Communities and civil society organizations must meaningfully participate in this dialogue towards finding solutions.
We call on the University of the West Indies and other educational and development entities in the Caribbean to redouble their efforts to support Haitian educational and other forms of development.
We further call on CARICOM, through the Heads of Government, and in concert with the peoples of the Caribbean, to put in place a mechanism for the granting of special refugee and asylum status to Haitians fleeing persecution and economic destitution – temporary or permanent. We remind our leaders of their commitment to the free movement of Caribbean nationals afforded to all CARICOM nationals. This must apply also without discrimination to Haitian nationals.
We recognize our debt to Haiti. We affirm the courage of Haitians to whom we owe our attention and resolve to repair historic and continuing harms.
Yours faithfully,
Rosina Wiltshire
Mariama Williams
Judith Wedderburn
Alicia Wallace
Linnette Vassell
Maggie Schmeitz
Raise Your Voice St. Lucia
Vanda Radzik
Danuta Radzik
Jean Lowrie-Chin
Asha Kambon
Joan Grant Cummings
Sharda Ganga
Alissa Trotz
Leith Dunn
Imani Duncan-Price
Roberta Clarke
Eudine Barriteau
Cecilia Babb
Peggy Antrobus
