From October 8 to 28, 2024, Colette Lespinasse, the representative of Coordination Europe Haiti (CoEH) in Haïti, visited several European countries to engage with people and organizations interested in Haiti’s future. This included meetings with parliamentarians, representatives from CoEH member organizations and other NGOs, Haitian diaspora groups, and former aid workers who once served in Haiti. These exchanges offered insight into Europe’s stance on Haiti, revealing that while some solidarity groups remain deeply concerned, European political attention is largely absorbed by other global crises. Faced with limited budgets, many European actors now prioritize partnerships offering clear economic or political returns, leaving less focus on Haiti. Yet, amid these shifts, solidarity organizations continue striving to raise awareness, collect funds, and promote sustainability, underscoring the enduring need for advocacy in Europe-Haiti relations.
From October 8 to 28, 2024, as part of my work as a representative of Coordination Europe Haiti (CoEH), I had the privilege of visiting several European countries to meet with various individuals and organizations interested in Haiti. During this period, I met with parliamentarians, representatives of CoEH members and other international international NGOs active in Haiti, Haitian diaspora associations, and former aid workers who had served in Haiti, among others. My trip to Europe was part of my participation in the CoEH General Assembly, public relations activities with funding bodies for certain projects I am affiliated with, and strengthening friendships I have developed over the years with people in Europe.
These exchanges allowed me to gauge Europe’s interest in Haiti. While some solidarity organizations remain concerned about Haiti, the same cannot be said for some of the officials I met. Many had only recently taken their posts in the European Parliament and knew very little about Haiti. These discussions highlighted that, at present, Haiti is not on the general European political agenda or even that of some individual countries, like France, which has historical ties to Haiti. Other crises, such as the war in Ukraine and Palestine and the strained relations with Africa, take precedence.
Transactional diplomacy
In a context marked by the rise of right-wing parties that have won elections in several European countries, diplomacy seems to be taking a new direction. A new concept has emerged: transactionalism, where every relationship is viewed as an exchange, and each commitment must yield concrete benefits. A parliamentarian explained that while he is deeply affected by the impact of violence in Haiti, especially on children and women, he struggles to generate interest in this issue among his colleagues because the political or economic gains are not obvious.
Under this transactional diplomacy, countries and international organizations are increasingly reluctant to open their wallets to fund projects in Haiti, where there appear to be few significant economic stakes or even to pass resolutions on Haiti’s behalf. This reluctance is furthered by the protracted crisis in Haiti and the limited success of past investments. Many cite their countries’ budgetary constraints as reasons for this lack of interest. Across the board, we were told that international aid budgets have been drastically reduced, with cuts sometimes exceeding 50%.
In the past, one could rely on the sometimes challenging yet real ties established between Haiti and European countries since the colonial era. However, this argument is losing traction. The demand for restitution from France of the payments Haiti was forced to make to secure its independence (commonly called the Independence Debt) has not been supported by certain European factions, even those presented as progressive. This is despite the official request reiterated by Mr. Edgard Leblanc Fils[1] on September 27, 2024, at the United Nations General Assembly. Today, attention is elsewhere. Haiti is now regarded as part of the United States’ sphere of influence, and European countries prefer to align with U.S. policies towards this Caribbean nation.
Waning political interest in Haiti
Among the political figures I met, some still expressed concern about values traditionally championed by Europe, such as human rights (especially those concerning children and women) and democracy, though these concerns have been somewhat sidelined for the moment. However, it’s essential to note that certain aspects of these issues, such as migrants’ rights, remain divisive. This subject, which also intersects with Haiti’s current situation, did not elicit much enthusiasm from our political interlocutors. In some conversations, we tried to draw attention to the mass deportations, often violent and in blatant disregard of standards, that the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s neighboring country, is conducting. The Dominican Republic has announced plans to expel at least 10,000 people per week to Haiti on the grounds of suspected undocumented Haitian immigration. Yet this issue did not spark much interest, as migration remains a contentious topic in Europe as well.
Is it still necessary to draw international attention to Haiti today? Should we continue to express solidarity with this Caribbean country gripped by endless crises, which daily increase the vulnerability of its people?
Fortunately, some European organizations remain committed to the principles upon which they were founded, such as solidarity and empathy for suffering populations. Despite an increasingly profit-driven and inhumane world, a sense of shared existence on a single planet, interconnectedness, and the need to support one another and share resources is still alive.
Continued solidarity with Haiti
During my trip, I saw firsthand the efforts of solidarity organizations to keep Haiti in the public eye, raise funds for projects to support the most vulnerable groups in my country, and inspire innovative solutions. One activity that struck me involved collecting and reusing second-hand clothing, not only to raise funds for projects but also to reduce environmental waste. I was impressed by the dedication to minimizing waste, recycling, and giving resources a second life instead of depleting the planet’s resources further. This approach requires reorganizing services, businesses, re-educating the public, and a significant commitment from citizens. These examples made me reflect on what could be done in Haiti to improve waste management and the importance of a strong public policy to support such processes.
This trip also connected me to another continent: India. My visit to a French solidarity NGO coincided with that of another partner from this organization who works with the Dalits in India, a marginalized group often referred to as the “untouchables,” shunned by society. The debate that followed the screening of a film on this issue allowed me to recognize many similarities with Haiti, where certain groups face exclusion and discrimination, like the child domestic workers with whom I work. The world is not so different; here and there, in Haiti, Europe, and India, there is still much to change and many battles to fight. These issues can unite us and mobilize us for a more just and humane world.
Throughout my journey in Europe, I visited Paris and Alsace in France, Brussels in Belgium, and Aachen in Germany. While exploring various places, museums, and documents, I encountered dates and events that linked to my country’s history, notably the French Revolution of 1789 and Haiti’s declaration of independence fifteen years later. This return to the past helped me understand key moments in my country’s history, such as Haiti’s birth as an independent nation and the role played by figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, his family, and Toussaint Louverture, the Haitian hero who abolished slavery on the island of Hispaniola (modern Haiti/Dominican Republic), well before 19th-century abolition movements.
Everything is interconnected, and the world is one, despite the wealth and prosperity of certain regions suggesting otherwise. The future of our planet and all living beings depends heavily on how we—men and women who claim dominion over it—use this power. In this regard, CoEH has ample opportunity for advocacy regarding Europe-Haiti relations. Let’s not be indifferent. Let’s continue to be supportive, and above all, human!
[1] Edgard Leblanc Fils spoke at the United Nations as the President of Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council on September 27, 2024, during the regular session of the United Nations General Assembly.
