Faith groups call on Biden Administration to respond to the worsening crisis in Haiti

Washington, DC – The political and security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate amid widespread protests against kidnapping, gang violence, and the decision by Haitian President Jovenel Moïse to rule by decree for more than a year and remain in office after the constitutional end of his term. On February 3, 2021, the Haitian Catholic Bishops offered to mediate the crisis, recognizing that constitutional rules should apply to all elected officials, including the President. The Federation of Bars of Haiti and other respected civil society organizations have spoken out against what is happening in the country. Yet the United States has not made a clear public statement about the crisis in Haiti, but has continued to deport Haitians back to Haiti, and inexplicably to Mexico.

Fr. John Baumann, S.J. released the following statement on behalf of Faith in Action International

“As people of faith across the U.S. and the globe, we implore President Biden and his foreign policy team to hear the cries of the people of Haiti. We urge the President to make Haiti a higher priority for his new administration. And to emphatically put the U.S. government on the side of civil society and faith-based organizations that are struggling for democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. It is long past time to turn the page on approaches to Haiti that have supported corrupt economic elites rather than grassroots leaders fighting for a better future for Haiti.”

“President Biden’s election raised so much hope in Haiti and across the Haitian Diaspora in the U.S.,” said Francois Pierre-Louis, Haiti Director at Faith in Action International, “People hear the Administration speaking out on what is happening in Russia and Myanmar. They don’t understand the silence about the grave situation in Haiti.”

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Faith in Action International is a global network that enables those who are most vulnerable and exploited to build political and economic power to better their lives, communities, and societies. Faith in Action supports grassroots organizing and community-led development through affiliates in 24 states and more than 250 cities in the U.S. and Haiti, Central America, and Rwanda.

www.faithinactioninternational.org