News from the Coordination Europe-Haiti / September 2020

Dear reader,

It has been far too long since our last newsletter. However, this does not mean that the Coordination Europe-Haïti has seized to publish articles on our website. On the contrary, only this past month four important articles, written by our representative in Haiti, Colette Lespinasse, have been shared online. Because of the ongoing deterioration of the political and social-economic situation in Haiti and the fact that regular media are giving very little attention to what is happening in Haiti, we hope that through this newsletter the articles reach a broader public.

Because of the covid-19 restrictions we had to cancel our General Assembly, planned for March 2020, but we have been in regular contact with our members through email and skype meetings. On Wednesday September 30, an online General Assembly will take place, with Colette Lespinasse and the member organisations participating via Zoom.

Kind regards,

Steering Committee (COPIL) of the CoEH

Deterioration of the human rights situation and of the political crisis in Haiti

The human rights situation and the political crisis in Haiti have worsened over the weekend of September 20. Armed groups have attacked the residents of Bel Air, a neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince. And the forming of a new electoral council, without consensus or participation of the opposition has been announced by the president. Colette Lespinasse, representative of the COEH in Haiti is sharing her analysis.

Haiti : Increase of school disparities at a background of insecurity, Covid-19 and labour union repression

Schools have reopened in Haiti, but many children are unable to go to school as their parents cannot pay for uniforms and fees. Insecurity is another problem, and many teachers are on strike, demanding payment of their salaries. Still, exams are being planned for October. The disparity between private and public schools causes a situation of apartheid. Only a general reform of the state will bring the required change, as explained by Colette Lespinasse.

Haiti : Intensifying manoeuvres for a new constitution and the organisation of elections against a background of great insecurity

Against a background of growing insecurity and fear, the president of Haiti is talking about the need to reform the constitution, and planning elections at the same time. It reminds Colette Lespinasse of moments in history, when the making of a new constitution paved the road for presidents to turn dictator…

TROPICAL STORM LAURA HAS CAUSED MUCH DAMAGE IN HAITI

Sunday August 23, Haiti has been hit by tropical storm Laura, which has caused much damages. A first inventory talks about nine people being killed, two disappeared and many houses flooded. Laura arrived at a country already in crisis, politically and economically. The country is lacking a good policy of land management in order to prepare itself against hurricanes and storms. Colette Lespinasse shares her analysis.

Haiti : Between Covid-19 and the preparation of a new constitution

The situation is changing rapidly in Haiti. Not only is the country in the middle of the covid-19 crisis, but while the economic and food situation are getting worse, a political crisis is growing. The BINUH seems to support the president’s plans for a controversial reform of the constitution.

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