While the United States and the UN have a mixed track record of involvement in Haiti, there are critical ways the U.S. may offer support right now. The United States has the opportunity to empower Haitian actors and support democratic norms and those interested in fostering them.
Reaching out to Congress elevates this as a priority and can spur more engagement and attention that can help address this crisis. As you take action, please read our brief Q&A on Haiti here.
In our advocacy over recent years, we have urged the United States government to recognize several important factors in its foreign policy toward Haiti.
Centering Haitian-led solutions is critical. Taking Haitian efforts seriously, with an emphasis on solutions that center human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, must be a part of reshaping U.S.-Haiti relations. One recent governance example is the work of the Commission for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis and the Montana Accord their process generated.
“Haitian-led solutions” does not mean Haitian-exclusive; thus, we encourage continued, strategic financial and in-kind support for Haiti. Any foreign military or peacekeeping presence must learn from past mistakes of foreign intervention in the country. As the situation has continued to deteriorate with no good options and an urgent need for security, support for some type of foreign presence has risen in Haiti. Planned missions, specifically the pending Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti approved by the United Nations Security Council in 2023, should make the utmost effort to mitigate risks of human rights abuses, economic displacement, violence against innocent civilians, community health concerns, fair trade practices, and violations of sovereignty.
The international community must acknowledge past errors and pitfalls in prior involvement and consciously commit to a more constructive posture. Creating conditions for a reduction in violence and limiting the influence of gangs will require addressing issues of governance and the political and economic drivers of insecurity. This may include promoting or facilitating a robust, honest, and equitable political dialogue among political factions without continuing to support actors that have received U.S. blessing in the past despite anti-democratic actions and questionable human rights records.
The U.S. must proactively disrupt and block arms and ammunition trafficking in the region, much of which originates from the U.S. Current proposals need to incorporate U.S. domestic action and regional coordination around the Caribbean basin in order to adequately disrupt criminal networks that traffic in arms and other goods.
As governments function best when they are responsive, participatory, and transparent, and ensure adequate protection for minorities, U.S. engagement needs to emphasize the importance of free and fair elections that establish trust and a healthy social contract between the government and the public.
General Convention and Executive Council Resolutions:
2024-D060: Support For a Solution to the Crisis in Haiti
EC-102021: Support for Commission for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis
2018-D096: Urge Advocacy for Good Governance and Fair Participation
2015-C005: Implement Laws to Decrease Gun Violence
1997-D009: Call for an End to US Military Training That Violates Human Rights
EXC-021995: Guiding Principles for Governmental Legislation