Issues
Each topic includes an overview of the situation in Haiti and the response of the European Union. In addition we present the advocacy activities of the CoEH on this subject. Also, there are documents and reports available from Haitian organizations.
THE GAPPING WOUND OF A RANSOM THAT IS HARD TO HEAL
April 17, 1825 – April 17, 2025: Two centuries have passed since French King Charles X issued a decree demanding that Haiti pay France 150 million francs in exchange for recognizing its independence, which had been declared on January 1, 1804. This ransom was intended to compensate the former slave-owning colonists who had fled Saint-Domingue during the War of Independence. At the time this decree was delivered to the young nation, freshly freed from slavery, 14 French warships carrying 500 cannons were stationed off the coast of Haiti, ready to attack. Faced with this threat, Haiti’s then-president, Jean-Pierre Boyer, gave in to the extortion.
Haitians Begin 2025 Between a Glimmer of Hope and Overwhelming Fear
Despite the ongoing crisis, Haiti welcomed 2025 with a mix of hope and anxiety. Haitians, in the face of relentless hardships, celebrated the New Year and their country’s Independence Day with the traditional soup joumou, a symbol of solidarity and resilience. However, the situation remains dire. The year 2024 ended in violence, leaving thousands dead, food insecurity worsening, and the country at a standstill. The Provisional Transitional Council, expected to stabilize the situation, has struggled to fulfill its promises, fueling frustration and calls for change. Nevertheless, there are glimmers of hope: the creativity of Haitian artisans, the inauguration of the port in Saint-Louis du Sud, and strengthened regional cooperation. On the security front, international reinforcements are arriving, yet without swift improvements, the elections planned for 2025 remain uncertain. Will Haiti find the strength to overcome these challenges and pave the way for a more stable future?
Cassava, Widely Consumed in Haiti and the Caribbean, Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO
The news of UNESCO’s inclusion of cassava in the register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was received with great joy in Haiti, amidst a backdrop of predominantly negative news about the country. In Haiti and among its diaspora, Haitians celebrated this decision by enjoying a piece of cassava with manba (peanut butter). This is the most popular way to consume cassava, a bread made from grated manioc from which the toxic juice has been removed.
Appeal from the CoEH to the European Union for Support in Upholding Human Rights in Haiti and Greater Attention to Vulnerable Groups
The Coordination Europe-Haiti (CoEH) raises alarm over the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where human rights are gravely endangered, particularly for women and children. The international security mission remains ineffective, while poverty and mass displacement continue to rise. The CoEH calls on the European Union to support a transition that breaks with old practices, strengthen Haitian institutions, and invest in sustainable solutions focused on the population and youth. It emphasizes the urgency of addressing humanitarian needs while adopting a holistic approach to break the cycle of violence and despair.
A Haitian Woman’s Perspective on Haiti’s Presence in Europe Today
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.
Will Controlling the “Tie-Wearing Bandits” Solve the Security Crisis in Haiti?
Since the establishment of a new executive in Haiti in May 2024, led by a Presidential Transition Council (CPT) and a new Prime Minister, the country’s security situation remains alarming, despite the arrival of foreign troops under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS). Former President Michel Martelly, recently sanctioned by the United States for his involvement in drug trafficking and his support for armed gangs, now embodies the figure of the “tie-wearing bandit.” While these sanctions mark a symbolic turning point, questions persist about their real impact on the ground, given the past role of the United States in his rise to power. In this context, support from the European Union for the Haitian justice system to combat criminal elites would be a welcome initiative.
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Interesting links
Tuesday, November 22, 2022: The 1937 Remembrance Committee, a group of Haitians around the 1937 massacre, is concerned about what is currently happening in the Dominican Republic and has published a note of protest and condemnation of the deportations of Haitian immigrants and their descendants (in French).
Monday November 7, 2022: Virginie Pochon, co-founder of GAFE Haiti and GAFE France, has written an excellent analysis of the current situation in Haiti. Click here for the link to the analysis (in French).
Plate-forme Haiti de Suisse
This organisation has interesting information and newsletters about the latest news from haiti.
Visit their website to read more >
Collectif Haïti de France
CHF is sharing interesting information (only in French) on their website, where you can also subscribe to their newsletter: https://www.collectif-haiti.fr/actualites/collectif/
Monday October 31, 2022: Colette Lespinasse, CoEH representative in Haiti, has been interviewed by the German magazine Welt-sichten. Click here for the link to the article (in German).
Friday October 28, 2022: Els Hortensius, member of the CoPil, has been interviewed by Dutch national radio about the situation in Haïti. Click here for the link to the interview (in Dutch).
Thursday October 6, 2022: On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the respect for human rights in Haiti. Click here for the link to the resolution.
Interesting documents
July 2024: CRAN released a letter about the current situation in Haiti (in Creole and in French)
November 2022: The French Farmer’s Confederation (Confédération Paysanne) sent a letter to President Macron, demanding the French authorities to end all political interference with Haiti (in French).
In October 2022 CRAN released a document about the current crisis in Haiti (in Creole and in French).
CRAN et CE-JILAP sur la constitution (in French and Creole) June 2021
2020-02-10 Consultaton de la Société Civile Haïtienne_28 janvier (only in French)
Declaration for an agrarian policy in Haiti – FULL TEXT (11 October 2017)
Advocacy Documents
Coordination Europe-Haiti – contribution EEAS consultation on relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (15 February 2018)
Coordination Europe-Haiti aperçu contexte actuel en Haïti (12 December 2017)
CoEH Lettre situation droits humains en Haïti (3 July 2017)