Haitian Diaspora Denounces International Interference and Calls for Action in Montreal Declaration

Haitian diaspora who gathered at the University of Quebec in Montreal from August 25 to 27, 2023 to participate in the International Convention of Actors and Actresses of the Haitian Diaspora (CADH) release the Montreal Declaration. Read the full declaration in French here. Read the summary in French here. Read the summary in English here and below.

Montreal Declaration

August-September 2023
(Summary version)

Preamble

We, leaders, and organizational members of the Haitian diaspora residing in Europe, the United States of America, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, converge on the need for a common commitment to confront the deterioration of the security situation and the governance crisis in Haiti. Aware of the profound importance of the diaspora in the renaissance of Haiti, we gathered at the University of Quebec in Montreal from August 25 to 27, 2023, in solidarity with the Haitian people to participate in the International Convention of Actors and Actresses of the Haitian Diaspora (CADH).

Findings

We, participants in the CADH, make the following observations:

  • Deteriorating Security: Security in Haiti is collapsing alarmingly, endangering the lives and well-being of its residents.
  • Human rights violations: We deplore the worsening of living conditions, marked by kidnappings, violence, murders, rapes, fires, forced displacements, and economic challenges that the Haitian population faces.
  • Government indifference: The current government is indifferent and incapable of protecting the country’s citizens, especially the most vulnerable such as women, girls and children.
  • Political impasse: The current government is unwilling to build consensus with political actors and civil society, exacerbating the crisis.
  • International interference: We vigorously denounce the interference of the so-called “friends of Ayiti”, including the United States, Canada and the European Union, especially France, in Haitian affairs, supporting an illegitimate regime that nourishes violence.
  • Failed Military Interventions: We highlight the history of repeated failed military interventions in Haiti as a means to address these challenges.
  • Elite collusion: We condemn the complicity denounced by the population between certain economic and political elites with criminal groups.

Requirements

Based on these findings, we ask the following:

  • Change in governance: We strongly support demands for a return to constitutional order, favoring a government enjoying the trust of the Haitian people, political parties, civil society and the diaspora.
  • End arms exports: We call on relevant governments, including those of the United States and the Dominican Republic, to end illegal arms exports to Haiti.
  • Human rights and cessation of deportations: Given the exacerbation of violence leading to an increase in migration, we call on host countries to respect the rights and dignities of displaced people in accordance with international conventions.
  • Effective security: We want security assistance that takes into account the lessons of the past, based on a Haitian strategy adapted to reality.
  • Involvement of the Diaspora: We advocate for the active participation of the Haitian diaspora to resolve the crisis and possibly to maintain peace as well as support the sustainable development of the homeland in synergy with the institutions and organizations geared towards a solution to the crisis favorable to the Haitian population.
  • Renewed cooperation: We recommend international cooperation respecting Haiti’s sovereignty, focusing on the real needs identified by Haiti, and aligning with innovative partners capable of responding to the country’s challenges.

Commitments

In support of these demands, we are committed to:

  • Bringing together the forces of the diaspora to better serve Haiti, in particular through the creation of a Representative Council for the reconstruction of Haiti.
  • Establish a Convention monitoring committee responsible for monitoring progress and maintaining momentum in the various steps to be undertaken.
  • Continue consultations to broaden consensus on the measures to adopt.
  • Collaborate with the active forces of Haiti to develop, through consultation, appropriate recommendations.
  • Exert collective pressure to put an end to the unconditional support of host countries for the status quo in Haiti, for the current failing government, unconcerned and incapable of fighting against armed groups.

Proposals

We believe in the need to restore the trust of the Haitian people and to do so, we propose:

The holding of a sovereign National Dialogue to repair the Haitian social fabric.

The creation of a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address past injustices and promote national reconciliation.

The prosecution of individuals involved in violent, blood and financial crimes, including those related to the Petro-Caribe funds.

Diaspora solidarity for the displaced: A concerted effort between the stakeholders of the Haitian diaspora to help the populations displaced by the violence of armed gangs.