Haiti deserves the attention of the world to become a free, fair, and stable democracy.

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Chairman Gregory W. Meeks Opening Remarks HFAC Hearing: “Haïti at the Crossroads: Civil Society Responses for a Haïtian-led Solution” Thursday, September 29, 2022 @ 10:00 am #shorts Full Transcript: I am honored to welcome such a distinguished panel for our full Committee hearing on the challenges and opportunities that Haïtian civil society faces in moving the country forward towards stability and democracy. I know I speak for many of my colleagues on this Committee and in Congress when I say that we have been frustrated by the protracted violence and political unrest in Haïti. And yet, there is still hope. That hope is well represented here today with a distinguished panel of Haïtian leaders who have worked tirelessly to build a better country for themselves and future generations. Thank you, Ms. Charlier [Sha-Li-YAY], Ms. Auguste and Mr. Piervilus [Pierre-Vee-Loose] for joining us to share your expertise today. We also welcome the Honorable Pamela White, former U.S. Ambassador to Haïti who will share her experience working with Haïtian civil society, private sector and political leaders to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives. Today, Haïti continues to be led by an interim government with little popular support and broad opposition from civil society. There are as many as 200 gangs in Haïti who now control at least 60% of Port-Au-Prince. In the first half of 2022, kidnappings have increased by 36%, with homicides rising by 17%. Gender-based violence has only gotten worse, and impunity has replaced any semblance of a justice system. Last year, when a powerful earthquake struck the Tiburon [TEE-BOO-RON] Peninsula in the southwestern part of the country, international groups had to negotiate with gangs to allow access to highways for assistance delivery. Spiraling violence and insecurity has had an impact on all Haïtians. Every day, there is news of schools, hospitals, and businesses that have had to close down due to insecurity, lack of funding, or insufficient power due to gangs blockading the country’s fuel supply. I also want to acknowledge that Haïti is one of the five target countries selected by the Biden administration for the initiative authorized by the Global Fragility Act, legislation that passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2019. The purpose of this initiative is to develop a 10-year, integrated whole of government strategy to address the root causes of violence and instability. U.S. policy in Haïti is, without question, in need of serious improvement. The GFA creates an opportunity for the international community to learn from costly and painful mistakes of the past and undertake a new approach to delivering foreign assistance more effectively by recognizing Haïtians as equal partners. To move away from the political stagnation that has gripped Haïti over the last few years, the Haïtian people need to believe that their voices matter and that their government is here to help. Unfortunately, Haïti is far from being in the position to hold free, fair and inclusive elections at this time, and it is critical we do not rush this process. I am also concerned by the continued repatriation of Haïtian migrants. Earlier this month we marked the one-year anniversary of the horrific images and videos of Customs and Border Patrol officers’ treatment of Haïtian migrants at our Texas border and yet, in the first half of this year, 14,000 Haïtian migrants were repatriated from the United States. Our treatment of Haïtian migrants is unacceptable, and we must consider the desperate reality faced by the people of Haiti. The problems Haïti faces are complex and seem to escalate daily. As I close, I also think it important to reiterate that the Haitian people will require support from more than just the United States, to solve their problems and realize their potential. What’s more, America is most effective, and has greatest credibility, when we build coalitions, mobilizing allies and like-minded partners to drive change. Haiti deserves the attention of the world, and will require serious engagement by the international community, listening to the needs and wants of the Haitian people, to achieve peace, and become a free, fair, and stable democracy. I am honored to have this distinguished panel with us here today to help provide clarity and recommendations of how we can best support the Haïtian people in this process.