Haitians Take Issue With Inaugural Speech And Method; Bush Should Tread Lightly

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Haitians Take Issue With Inaugural Speech And Method; Bush Should Tread Lightly
Sasha Kramer
Friday, January 28, 2005

“It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture.” - George W. Bush, Jan. 20, 2005

Haitians have a radically different perspective of US foreign policy. . .

The U.S.-sponsored overthrow of Haiti’s democratically elected government in February of last year has pushed the country to a new level of desperation. Thousands of community organizers have been driven into hiding and members of the former Haitian military, many known human rights abusers, have taken over towns throughout Haiti and are rapidly being integrated into the national police force in the capital.

There have been over 3000 politically motivated killings and the prisons are overflowing. Human rights organizations estimate that only 1 in 50 prisoners have been convicted of crimes and there are approximately 700 political prisoners, including prominent members of Aristide’s Lavalas party, in Port-au-Prince alone.

In August and December 2004 I traveled to Haiti as a human rights observer. I met with political prisoners, elected officials driven into hiding, labor organizers, and UN and police officials and came away with a very different perspective on political violence in Haiti then the one portrayed by most US media outlets.

In the poor communities that I visited in Port au Prince and Cap Haitien the overwhelming majority of residents were angry. They feel that their fledgling democracy and the laws and procedures dictated by the constitution have been taken away from them by a relatively small armed force and an international community intent on removing the president they elected.

One thing I heard over and over in Haiti was that this coup is worse than the coup in 1991. In 1991 it was clear that Aristide was overthrown by the military and the international community stood behind the vote of the people and publicly isolated the illegal regime.

The coup of February 29, 2004 was better orchestrated with a fierce disinformation campaign that demonized Aristide and continues to demonize the Lavalas movement. Additionally, Aristide maintains that he was kidnapped by the U.S. government, an accusation that helps explain the unwillingness of the Bush Administration to investigate the circumstances under which he left the country. U.S. media coverage of Haiti has been characterized by disinformation and general disinterest. The result is misunderstanding and inaction on the part of the international academic and peace and social justice communities.

Tonight Father Gerard Jean-Juste, a beloved Haitian priest, friend of President Aristide and recent political prisoner, will be speaking at Stanford. We have a unique opportunity to send a message to the Haitian people that they are not alone.

If we can fill Braun Auditorium on Friday night Father Jean-Juste will take that message back to the people, through his church and his radio program. During the period of military dictatorship from 1991-1994 the Stanford community played an important role in the movement to reestablish democracy in Haiti, from hunger strikes to inviting Aristide to speak in 1993.

I encourage people to come out on Friday night to hear more about political repression in Haiti from the perspective of someone deeply connected to poor communities in Port au Prince who has seen the inside of Haiti’s prisons. We have a chance to give hope to thousands of people who feel isolated and alone and learn a great deal in the process.

“In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty.” - George W. Bush, Jan. 20, 2005

On this point the Haitian majority would agree completely.