In a 2011 Forum on the Crisis of Housing in Haiti, a group of camp residents and advocates asked “grassroots organizations and all other movements to mobilize with us on the housing issue so that we can achieve this dream of justice and liberty.” Today, with more than 500,000 people still living under sun-scorched tarps two years after the earthquake of January, 2010, the Haitian housing rights movement continues to gain urgency. Demanding comprehensive housing policy in the long term and decent, secure housing in the short term, the groups that comprise the movement have created detailed prescriptions for how to resolve the crisis. They are up against a lot, however, since most entities in charge of housing have not sought to “mobilize with” the movement; rather, they have come in with their own ideas.
Before the end of the month, a Haitian judge will decide whether or not "Baby Doc" Jean-Claude Duvalier will face trial for the crimes against humanity committed during his 15-year dictatorship. Charges include corruption, embezzlement, murder, torture, exile, arbitrary detention and destruction of private property. Duvalier, who for 15 years succeeded his father "Papa Doc" Duvalier's brutal regime, returned to Haiti in January 2011 and was charged three days later.
A coalition of Haitian human rights organizations and individuals have written an open letter urging President Martelly to take the Duvalier case seriously.
As government officials, diplomats, and representatives of international finance institutions celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new industrial park in the north of the country, Haitian grassroots media organizations have published a report that casts serious doubt on the wisdom of the project.
Remember, you are marching today for those who couldn’t be here, To say to them, “We haven’t forgotten. We’ll never forget.” And to say to those that are still here, We will take a stand for the rebuilding of Haiti. – Right to Housing Collective, January 12, 2012
Mark Schuller, center, is a New York anthropologist who also teaches at University of Haiti in Port-au-Prince.
Two years ago, in one of the worst natural disasters recorded in the western hemisphere, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook the island nation of Haiti, leveling the capital of Port-au-Prince, taking more than a quarter-million lives, and leaving 1.5 million homeless.
As 2012 begins, a growing movement of displaced people and their allies in Haiti is actively claiming the right to housing, which is recognized by both the Haitian constitution and international treaties to which Haiti is signatory.
Haitians displaced by the earthquake two years ago face many crises, but perhaps none worse than ongoing homelessness. One of the 520,000 people still living in displacement camps, [i] Dieula Croissey describes conditions where she lives in Cité Soleil: “We’re living in insecurity, our lives are threatened, our daughters are used.” In addition to insecurity and violence, especially against women, people living in camps face deteriorating shelter materials – shredding plastic tarps and tattered tents – hunger, and lack of adequate water or toilets. Despite Haiti’s declining rates of cholera infection,[ii] the dearth of sanitation options leaves real risk for contracting the disease.
Author Anonymous Re-posted with Permission from Bookmanlit
Authorities of Haiti, I beg you, please don’t bring back the army. Not while so many children are dying from hunger, cholera, and neglect. Don’t re-mobilize the khaki caskets of the FADH [Haitian National Army]. These caskets have stained our soil with blood, shame, and abuse. Don’t divert our meager funds to train our new killers. Don’t budget money for uniforms and ammunition to fight an imaginary enemy when our people are dying of real starvation.
Interview by Alexis Erkert, Another Haiti is Possible Coordinator, Other Worlds Iderle Brénus Gerbier has worked with many peasant organizations in support of women rights’ and food sovereignty. She is a member of the Haitian National Network for Food Security and Sovereignty (RENHASSA), campaign coordinator for Food Sovereignty in Haiti, advisor of the National Confederation of Peasant Women (KONAFAP), and organizer for the Haitian Social Forum for Food Sovereignty.
Indignation at the renewal of the MINUSTAH in Haiti – Groups Call on Latin American and South governments to withdraw their troops
Buenos Aires, October 14, 2011 – Argentine Nobel Peace Prize LaureateAdolfo Perez Esquivel expressed indignation at the vote today to renewthe mandate of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH)for another year, a decision he indicates that fails to take intoaccount the urgency of a profound transformation of internationalpolicies towards Haiti.
Before the end of the month, a Haitian judge will decide whether or not "Baby Doc" Jean-Claude Duvalier will face trial for the crimes against humanity committed during his 15-year dictatorship. Charges include corruption, embezzlement, murder, torture, exile, arbitrary detention and destruction of private property. Duvalier, who for 15 years succeeded his father "Papa Doc" Duvalier's brutal regime, returned to Haiti in January 2011 and was charged three days later.
By Alexis Erkert
By Alexis Erkert and Beverly Bell
