14793: Feb. 7, 2003 Issue Paper: Haitians Living Abroad (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MKarshan@aol.com

February 7, 2003  Issue Papers

HAITIANS LIVING ABROAD

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The numbers of Haitians living abroad grew significantly during the 29 years
of dictatorship under the Duvalier regime and was limited in its relationship
with Haiti until the departure of Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1986. At that time
thousands of Haitians, living in political or self-exile, returned to visit,
or in many cases, to live in Haiti.

Demonstrating increased solidarity and the will of the nation to move forward
together, President Aristide fondly referred to those Haitians living abroad
as the Tenth Department, acknowledging them as the other department in
addition to the nine geographic departments within Haiti.

Responding to the demands of the Tenth Department, there has been a large
focus since Aristide's inauguration in 1991, on enlarging their role and
restoring their rights within Haiti, although they reside outside of Haiti.


ECONOMIC AND
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

The Tenth Department contributes largely to the life and economy of Haiti,
through remittances to their families (approximately $800 million annually),
business ventures and charity programs, investing in business, shipping in of
materials, and in their endless efforts to advance democracy in Haiti.  The
experiences and skills, both in business, social services, and democratic
practices, make the help, advice and participation of the Tenth Department
Haitians a vital element in the development and advancement of Haiti.

Since President Aristide's inauguration in 1991, Haitians from abroad have
held key positions in the Haitian government. During the three years of the
brutal coup d'etat in which President Aristide was forced into exile, the
Tenth Department played a critical role in the mobilization for the return of
constitutional rule.

In addition to individuals and Haitian organizations, town associations, made
up of persons originating from the same towns in Haiti, sprouted up
throughout the U.S. and other countries.  The Haitian government works to
strengthen inter-Haitian cooperation that plays an active role in providing
material support, health and educational services to their hometowns.
Hundreds of tons of aid shipped to Haiti, as well as installing electrical
plants in small towns, are some of the major contributions of these town
associations.

In turn the Haitian government is working hard to help facilitate the work of
Haitians living abroad, making information more readily available, expediting
customs, and strengthening its partnership with the Tenth Department.


MOVING TOWARD DUAL CITIZENSHIP

The Tenth Department has called for the implementation of dual citizenship
and the Lavalas government has committed to passing legislation to this
effect. The 1987 Constitution strictly provides that any constitutional
amendments be passed only by an outgoing Parliament. However, the Lavalas
government has restored many of the rights and expanded the benefits of
Haitians living abroad, short of granting dual citizenship, until legislation
is possible.


MIGRATION CHALLENGES
FOR HAITI AND ITS NEIGHBORS

Haiti's population stands at approximately 8 million, while the Tenth
Department is believed to be close to 2.5 million, with the majority residing
in the United States and the Dominican Republic.

The Haitian government maintains a relationship with the Tenth Department
internationally and works for the betterment of its citizens wherever they
may reside.  For example, life for Haitians in the Dominican Republic has
been very difficult, with most working as undocumented sugar cane cutters,
whose children, when born in the Dominican Republic, until recently have not
been recognized by that State.

In 1998, for example, only 12% (or 72,000) out of 600,000 Haitians living in
the Dominican Republic were documented, while Haitians represented 6% of the
total population in the Dominican Republic. Without recognition or
documentation, Haitians are refused schooling, medical care, and are subject
forced expulsion, often being separated from their families and belongings.

Recently the Haitian government, through its ambassador to the Dominican
Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Haitians Living
Abroad, as well as the hard work of the Haitian-Dominican Mixed Commission,
took several steps to assure the rights of Haitians in the Dominican
Republic, including the granting of birth certificates.

During the dictatorship era thousands fled Haiti escaping repression.  When
President Aristide was inaugurated in 1991, the exodus decreased to a mere
trickle.  Seven months later when President Aristide was ousted during a
bloody coup d'etat, the country was plunged into three years of repression
resulting in 5,000 deaths, 300,000 internally displaced and more than 60,000
taking to the high seas.  President Aristide asked other countries in the
region to temporarily house the refugees agreeing to receive them back home
when democracy would be restored.  After his return to Haiti, President
Aristide set up an office to receive the refugees and help them get back to
their rural towns, ultimately assisting 100,000 refugees returned to Haiti.

After President Aristide's return to Haiti with the restoration of democracy,
Haitians once again wanted to stay home bringing the refugee issue to a halt.

Today, Haiti's eight million people have been suffering under an unjust
embargo for the past two years causing further deterioration of already
fragile social services and infrastructure.  A campaign waged by those who
seek to reverse democratic gains, has paralyzed the country and is wreaking
havoc on the psyche of the Haitian people.  These unbearable conditions have
led to a new surge of Haitians taking to the high seas, risking their lives,
breaking up families, posing enormous strains on other countries who
ultimately must bear the burden. Although these refugees are outside of
Haiti, the Haitian government continues to assume their responsibility to
ensure the rights and well-being of their people as well as to receive them
warmly if they are returned back to Haiti.