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The United Nations peacekeepers sparked the world’s deadliest cholera epidemic in Haiti, killing at least 10,000 people and infecting 800,000. The epidemic continues to this day. On December 1, 2016, the UN finally apologized for its role and launched a new plan to eliminate cholera and assist its victims. One year later, victims are still waiting for the UN to honor its promises.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (New York and Boston): media@ijdh.org, +1-617-652-0876 Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (Port-au-Prince): mario@ijdh.org, +509-3701-9879 One Year After UN Apology, Cholera Victims Call Out Unfulfilled Promises (Boston, Port-au-Prince, December 1, 2017) – On the one year anniversary of the UN’s historic apology for its role in sparking Haiti’s devastating cholera epidemic, victims appealed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to follow through on commitments made last year to end cholera transmission and provide remedies. Victims also plan to gather in peaceful protest at 11 am EST outside UN headquarters in Port-au-Prince. One year ago today, then-outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon publicly asked for the Haitian people’s forgiveness for the UN’s role in the epidemic and launched a “New Approach to Cholera in Haiti.”  Many victims viewed the apology as turning a page on a […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Steven Forester, Immigration Policy Coordinator, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), steveforester@aol.com, +1 (786) 877-6999 Brian Concannon Jr., Excutive Director, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), brian@ijdh.org, +1 (617) 652-0876 DHS Distorts Law and Precedent to Ignore Glaring Facts on Haiti TPS Advocates call decision on Temporary Protected Status for Haitians disingenuous, vow to continue fight The Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), an advocacy group that supports equal treatment of Haitians in the United States, criticized the November 20 decision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians. The decision was based on a finding that the “temporary conditions caused by the 2010 earthquake no longer exist.” Unconscionably, DHS refused to consider massive blows that struck Haiti after the earthquake that make it unsafe for Haitians to […]

IJDH Volunteer Coordinator Internship Start Date: Immediate Opening Application Deadline: Rolling Basis About Us IJDH has successfully helped Haitians enforce their human rights since 2004. The Institute partners with BAI to support grassroots struggles for justice in Haiti and in the powerful countries abroad where decisions about Haitians’ rights are often made. IJDH and BAI combine traditional legal strategies with organizing, emerging technology and public advocacy to address the root causes of instability and poverty in Haiti. We fight for justice with routinely excellent legal work, but also with creativity, humility, inspiration and humor, and a supportive work culture. We effect broad changes with modest resources by nurturing large advocacy networks. IJDH is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to join its Boston office. The position is ideal for an undergraduate or graduate student interested in global human rights advocacy and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact: Mario Joseph, avocat, Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI), mario@ijdh.org, +509-3701-9879 (Haïti) (français, kreyol, English)  Sienna Merope-Synge, attorney, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), sienna@ijdh.org, +1-917-864-6901 / +509-4875-3444 (Haïti) (English, français, kreyol) Advocates welcome Deputy Secretary-General meeting with Haiti cholera victims, call for broad consultations Port-au-Prince, November 6, 2017 – Advocates for Haiti’s cholera victims welcomed UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and UN Special Envoy on Haiti Josette Sheeran’s meeting with a group of victims this weekend as a positive first step towards respecting Haitians’ dignity and right to consultation. The meeting between Ms. Mohammed, Ms. Sheeran and five cholera victims took place on Saturday 4 November at the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI), the legal office that has led the fight for justice for Haiti’s cholera victims, as part of the UN high-level delegation’s […]

On November 23, 2017, a decision is expected to be made regarding extending TPS for nearly 60,000 Haitians for an additional 18 months. These Haitian nationals have been granted the opportunity to live and work in the U.S. as Haiti continues to recover from a number of natural disasters since the 2010 earthquake and a cholera epidemic brought by UN Peacekeepers. Currently, Haiti is suffering from a food crisis, accessibility to clean water, and a loss in housing and infrastructure. To have thousands of Haitians return back to Haiti while the country is recovering and rebuilding can cause more harm than good. An end to TPS will create “a life-threatening humanitarian crisis” and will rip families apart. Read full report HERE