2005-02-16 - 3:30 p.m.
i just read the guild report-back on haiti- the guild is a complex formation, i don't think i understand it very well yet-
Unanimous Statements and Recommendations
We condemn U.S. treatment of Haitian refugees, and we call for an immediate change in
U.S. policy. We demand that Temporary Protective Status (TPS) be granted to all
Haitians facing political persecution, including those whose names are read daily on
Haitian radio stations.
We condemn the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) in Haiti for not
maintaining its impartiality as a human rights organization.
We condemn the statement made by the de facto Haitian Prime Minister in Gonaives on
March 20, praising Louis Jodel Chamblain, Guy Philippe, Jean Pierre Baptiste alias Jean
Tatoune, and other convicted or accused criminals and human rights violators as
"freedom fighters." We also condemn the impression of agreement with this statement by
OAS Ambassador David Lee who accompanied the Prime Minister and was present with
him at the event.
We call for an end to the practice of funding and aid that includes neoliberal
conditionalities such as structural adjustment programs because of the disastrous effects
these conditions have on developing countries throughout the world. In addition, we call
for complete cancellation of the odious debts of Haiti, especially the debts accrued by the
Duvalier family dictatorships. Odious debts, according to international law, do not have
to be repaid.
We demand an immediate investigation within the Canadian Parliament into the
Canadian role in supporting U.S. policy and the Haitian intervention.
We demand that Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide be free to speak to the press
and move freely. In addition, we urge the United Nations to invite President Aristide to
address the UN General Assembly as soon as possible.
In order to encourage an environment where human rights are respected, we call for
independent, on-the-ground human rights investigators.
We call on the international solidarity community to mobilize for:
An international day of solidarity and/or prayer for the Haitian people;
Solidarity and support for countries suffering from imperialistic U.S. policies;
Accompaniment programs for the many Haitians who are now in hiding within
their own country; and
A renewal of the Haiti solidarity movement in response to U.S., Canadian, and
French policies.
