Originally: Haitian Studies Association Declaration of Principle on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti
Haitian Studies Association Declaration of Principle on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti
The Haitian Studies Association,
BEING DEEPLY CONCERNED about the continuing violation of human rights in Haiti by the Government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and/or its supporters who act with impunity;
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION that many intellectuals and academics in Haiti and elsewhere have raised their voice against the Haitian Government?s continuing repression and violation of the fundamental principles of democratic liberties and the human rights of the citizens of Haiti;
CONSIDERING that as an independent scholarly organization the Haitian Studies Association cannot remain neutral when the very principles it believes in?the right of free speech, of assembly, of organization, of protest, of individual liberties, and of the inviolability of the person?are being systematically denied to our colleagues in and out of academia, to opponents and critics of the government, and to ordinary Haitian citizens;
CONVINCED that taking a principled stand against the Haitian Government?s policies and practices does not mean endorsing or supporting any organized Opposition to the Government;
CERTAIN that taking such a principled stand is a defense of the democratic and human rights of all Haitian citizens, regardless of their personal or political views;
AFFIRMING that the Haitian Studies Association is not taking a position on the conflict between the Government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the Opposition, or whether or not the Government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is legitimate;
CALLING on the Government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to act quickly and decisively to bring those responsible for the violation of the human rights of Haitian citizens to justice, and bring an end to impunity;
BELIEVING that the Haitian Government is obligated to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention on Torture, both of which it has ratified;
RECOGNIZING that implicit in this statement is that all political actors must respect the rule of law and the rights of others;
MAINTAINING that the Government of Haiti is vested with the authority to ensure that all citizens and political actors uphold the rule of law, including itself and its supporters, the Government of Haiti must be called to account when it violates that authority;
INSISTING that such a stand is in favor of political neutrality since it is calling on the Government of Haiti to create the conditions that make it possible for the citizens of Haiti to engage freely in politics and the expression of ideas;
CONSIDERING that one of the clearest ways that the Haitian Studies Association could express its support for democracy and opposition to arbitrary government is to issue a Declaration of Principle,
BELIEVING that for the Haitian Studies Association to remain silent on the continuing violation of human rights on the ground of maintaining its neutrality amounts in principle to taking a stand in support of the Government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide;
CONSIDERING that to hold the next scheduled annual conference of the Haitian Studies Association in Haiti next year and pretending that one can engage in a free exchange of ideas, when in fact this is proving increasingly difficult and dangerous for those who live and work in Haiti, would in effect validate the Government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide?s claim that it does not violate the human rights of its citizens and that those who so accuse it are seeking to undermine its authority;
BELIEVING that such a claim is discredited by the continuing violation of the human rights of Haitian citizens by members of the Haitian National Police, which is charged with protecting, not abusing human rights, supporters of, or gang-members supporting the Government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide who act with impunity;
BELIEVING that the Haitian Studies Association could show its solidarity with intellectuals, writers, artists, journalists, human rights advocates, and educators in Haiti by issuing a Declaration of Principle that calls on the Government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to uphold the rule of law, put an end to impunity, and respect and protect the human rights and civil liberties of the citizens of Haiti;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Haitian Studies Association take a stand on the violation of human rights by the Government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide and its supporters who act with impunity and call on the Government to uphold the rule of law and allow the citizens of Haiti to exercise their constitutional and civil rights without fear of persecution;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Haitian Studies Association will not hold future conferences in Haiti, starting with the previously scheduled 2004 Annual Conference, until the Government of Haiti respects and protects the non-derogable human rights of the citizens of Haiti, not just in words and official declarations but in practice.
Kathleen M. Balutansky, President
Marie-José N?Zengou-Tayo, Vice-President