Transcript of Haiti - Ayiti 2012 Working for Peace and Justice CRS Conferen ce June 2012.
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- Haiti - Ayiti 2012 Working for Peace and Justice CRS Conferen
ce June 2012
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- General Information Superficie27.750 km (like Belgium)
Populationnear to 10.000.000 Population growth2,5 % per year Urban
/ city population40,8 % / 59,2 % Income under 1 $ (US) a day 55 %
Avarage children per mother4,1 Single parent (women) families38,5 %
of households Mothers dying while giving birth per 100.000
births523 Life expectation men / women52,7 year / 56,8 year Women
(15-49 ans) victims of physical violence 35 % en 2000 Literacy rate
men / women 63,1 % / 54,9 % Children at school49 %
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- Historical Data Before 1492Habitants are Arawaks et Tainos
Decembre 5, 1492Colombus arrival 1697Traite de Ryswick: Hati
becomes French colony 1791Crmoniel of Bois Caman January 1, 1804The
french part of the island becomes independent as Haiti 1825France
recognizes the independence but requires indemnity for the loss of
the colony (the famous independence debt) 1860Concordat with the
Vatican 1915 - 1934American (US) Occupation 1957 - 1986Dictatorship
of Duvalier: Franois and son Jean-Claude February 7, 1986End of the
dictatureship March 1987Referendum on the still actual Constitution
November 29, 1987First (aborted) democratic election February 7,
1991First election of Aristide (December 16, 1990) September 30,
1991Coup dtat by Gen. Cdras October 1994Return of Aristide by US
troops February 7, 1996First election of Pres. Prval February 7,
2001Second (contested) election of Aristide February 29,
2004Departure of Aristide and transitional Government February 7,
2006Second election of Prval May 14, 2011Martelly becomes
President
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- Actual Context (2012) A legitime Government Martelly / A
electoral process of 2010 marked by fraud led to a Government
without support of Congres. Source of corruption. Multiple tensions
between Executive and Legislative. Subdued Judiciary Presence of UN
Peace keepers
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- Some major challenges Violence, issue of disarmament Struggle
against impunity and corruption Social justice and national
reconciliation Justice reform and construction of a State of Law
Economic development and struggle against unemployment Ecological
crisis
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- The National Episcopal Commission on Justice et Paix Its
identity Institution of the Catholic Church in Haiti Present in all
10 dioceses of the country And in 300 parishes or local
communities. Coordination on level of the dioceses, and nationwide.
Mandate: Defense of human dignity and its rights, starting from a
lived faith as related to the social realities as expressed in the
Social teachings of the Church. Priority in Haiti: defense of human
rights. The Commissions unique character is its nationwide
network.
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- The involvement of the Commission Programs that are coordinated
on national level Observation (monitoring) of major injustice,
human rights violations and violence Violence in the metropolitan
area and in the country. With attention to question of : gender,
conflict on land issues and ecology Special moments: election
process; Special places: prison. Training of members Training on
Human rights Training on Peace Training on technical skills
(monitoring, administration)
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- The training on Human rights is the basic training of all
members: 6 seminars of 3 days each The basis of Human rights Human
rights and Society Human rights and Economy in Haiti Human rights
and Politics in Haiti Human rights and Haitian Culture Human
rights: Specific Rights Peace Building Bati Lape. Conflict
management without violence A 4 day seminar Accompaniment of
victims through Conflict resolution Peace training Juridical
assistance (administrative accompaniment) Justice Reform through
the Citizen Forum Accompany and strengthen the local groupings and
commissions
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- The Commission is a member organization of POHDH, GARR and
Citizen Forum for Justice Reform occasional coalitions like
Moratorium on free market with EEC. The Commission is Associated
Member of Pax Christi International Related to the IANSA Network
Member of CO-HE (Coordination Haiti-Europe). The GRR of the
Commission gathers members of Pax Christi Haiti / ATD Quart Monde /
CHR (Religious Conference) / JOC / Scout / Kiwo Ayiti / Caritas Its
seminars reaches several thousands of local organizations
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- Difficulties and Challenges The Haitian context Deep social
conflicts make peace building urgent Poverty and economic crisis
Cultural remnants (as authoritarianism, marronnage) Paralysis of
political situation and the Justice system Violence and impunity
rooted in politics Neglect of the natural environment and ecology
since many years Magic-religious worldview refuses own
responsibility Related to the Commission itself To be a Church
Institution offers unique possibilities and imposes limits Some
activities and programs address the Church community As the
Reflexions for Lent Our stress on human dignity, even over human
rights offers a particular accent; effectiveness of some
interventions Local commissions need an ongoing accompaniment to
remain dynamic
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- Pastoral activity in prison Situation of detention: 14 prisons
/ more or less 6500 people detained / infrahuman physical
conditions / prolonged illegal detention / difficult working
conditions of APENA agents Prison pastoral activity means: to make
effective and to coordinate the work done by the chaplains /
charity interventions / defense of HR of the detainees. The J&P
Commission accompanies in an administrative way more than 250
detainees in 2011 / the Commission visits the prisons / and makes
public statements. The Commission fosters a better coordination of
the Churchs interventions in prison.
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- Solidarity with work for Peace and Justice in Haiti Keep in
mind Peace and Justice has local implications, but contains larger
(even international) roots. Peace means harmony in relations. It is
fruit of justice, development, respect for HR, participation and
the valorization of ones own capacities. Justice is related to
Charity as its first step; Justice seeks to understand the deeper
causes of human problems and to act on them.
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- Sustaining peace and justice work in Haiti As related to Jilap:
Up to 300 parishes in Haiti have a local J&P Commission. While
visiting, be interested in what they are doing. They are integrated
in the J&P work nationwide through the diocesan coordination.
Let them explain how they work, their difficulties and
achievements.
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- Particular Justice issues in Haiti Need for building up of a
State that is concerned with peoples living conditions; Local
production and economy; Issue of dependence: distinguish solidarity
from dependence; Haiti feels occupied and not taken seriously by
the international community; Solutions are imposed.
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- To work for Haiti from the United States Be aware of the
longstanding historical relationships between both Nations: Haiti
supported the abolition of slavery in the US, it was a place of
welcome for black US citizens (Mgr Jolly), today US is the home of
a numerous Haitian Diaspora. Be aware of how others look upon you:
A country of lots of possibilities? Generous? Dominating?
Exploiting? Pursuing its own (political and economic) agenda? Not
all people/peoples applaud US policies and interventions; How do we
look upon ourselves? Be aware of what relation between countries
mean. At the moment: HOPE and maquiladora approach of the Martelly
Government is questioned by some.
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- What can be done in the US Seek just relationships: trade,
politics, respect for autonomy and self-determination of others.
See to influence issues of international justice as related to
other countries. Encourage trade instead of dumping. Be aware: our
lifestyles impact on others, as is obvious in international trade /
international work division / ecology and pollution. Encourage
trade from others and just working conditions. Support issues as
international peace, arms trade and disarmament issues (the US does
as a rule not sign international commitments), just migration
policies, the question of returning deportees (see Central America
questions), etc.
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- Attitudes Not compassion, but solidarity and mutual sharing;
Admire, sustain and encourage; Be aware and foster awareness in
others. We can learn from one another and make a difference.
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