Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti: Cholera Accountability Project

Cholera Accountability Project

Overview|Litigation|Get Involved|Recent Developments

Overview

Cholera broke out in Haiti in October 2010, and continues to constitute a grave medical emergency. Overwhelming evidence has established that reckless disposal of human waste by a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping base in Mirebalais poisoned Haiti’s rivers with a particularly deadly strain of cholera bacteria and created the epidemic. Now, despite even UN Special Envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton’s acknowledgment that the UN was the “proximate cause” of the epidemic, the UN refused to accept responsibility and control cholera in Haiti. BAI and IJDH represent Haitian victims of cholera in their quest for justice from the UN.

In November 2011, we filed 5,000 claims with the UN, seeking: The installation of a national water and sanitation system that will control the epidemic, Compensation for individual victims of cholera for their losses, A public apology from the United Nations for its wrongful acts.

The Cholera Accountability Project (CAP) works with Haitian grassroots groups and international advocates in a broad-based campaign to force the UN to take action to stop the cholera’s killing. Diarrheal disease and lack of safe water are the worst public health problems in Haiti. Our case demands the installation of water and sanitation infrastructure that will control the epidemic and save more than 5,000 lives each year.

In February 2013, after 15 months of silence, the UN tersely dismissed the claims in a two-line decision deeming the claims “not receivable.”

IJDH and BAI are now taking the fight for justice to a court of law.

The Cholera Litigation

BAI and IJDH’s groundbreaking case against the UN stands to transform global accountability by challenging the UN to live up to its mission of promoting human rights for all. Click here to learn more about the litigation and our ongoing efforts to use the law to obtain a sustainable and just solution to cholera in Haiti.

Watch powerful video messages from our clients.
6-minute video message / 1-minute video message
FAQs about the UN’s responsibility and IJDH’s case.

Support the fight for justice for Haitian victims of cholera.
The cholera campaign’s success depends on the involvement of individuals like you.

Get involved today by:

- Adding your signature to a petition to the UN to provide clean water & sanitation in Haiti: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/End_Haitis_Cholera_Epidemic_with_UN_Action_Now_1/
- Making your voice heard on Twitter by sending a message to @UN
- Donating to support the case
- Watching and sharing Baseball in the Time of Cholera

CAP is proud to be featured in Baseball in the Time of Cholera, an award-winning film that was released online July 12, 2012. The filmfollows Joseph, a young Haitian baseball player, and BAI Managing Attorney Mario Joseph, who is fighting for justice for cholera victims. As the epidemic spreads, the two stories intersect in the struggle for survival and justice.

“Baseball in the Time of Cholera” Please join IJDH volunteers throughout North America in supporting the fight for justice for Haiti’s cholera victims by hosting a screening of the award-winning film Baseball in the Time of Cholera. Click HERE to find out more.

BAI’s Managing Attorney Mario Joseph is leading the fight for justice for cholera.
Click below to watch a personal 3-minute message from Mario.