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United States Must Uphold its Obligation to Protect Haitian Refugees as Violence Grows

New York, NY

The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children is deeply concerned that the United States government is ignoring its responsibility to protect Haitian refugees as the Caribbean nation grows ever closer to civil war. The United States must protect Haitians fleeing persecution and finish the job of democracy building, which it started in Haiti nearly a decade ago.

“The United States has never adequately stood by Haitian refugees,” says Wendy Young, Director of Government Relations, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children. “And the Bush administration has proven it will go farther than any other in trying to keep Haitian asylum seekers from arriving at our shores. Given the escalating political instability and human rights abuses in Haiti, the United States has a legal and ethical obligation to allow full access to Haitian asylum seekers and to offer protection to those who have a well-founded fear of persecution.”

The United States last month intercepted 361 Haitians at sea and sent them back to Haiti. Unlike interdicted Cubans and Chinese, who are provided a screening of their potential claims for asylum before being repatriated, Haitians are only provided a “shout test.” Haitians must step forward and express a fear of return before any screening is provided, a difficult step for someone on a crowded boat, faced by uniformed officials, who is probably hungry, thirsty and traumatized. Last week, another boatload of 70 Haitians was found at sea and returned; again, none of the passengers were taken to shore for screening.

Haitian asylum seekers who make it to the United States are subject to harsh treatment that includes prolonged detention. A Bush administration directive requires that Haitians seeking political asylum, including women and children, be held in detention until the outcome of their cases, with only limited exceptions. All others are returned to Haiti.

The Women’s Commission has found that Haitians who are sent back or deported by the Department of Homeland Security have experienced further human rights abuses upon their return to Haiti. Some have gone into hiding and plan to flee the country again.

“Haiti has not built an infrastructure to sustain its fledgling democracy,” says Young. “It can be achieved, but it will be a long-term effort. The United States cannot turn its back now. We’ve taken on nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan, pledging our long-term support; it does not bode well for these countries that we’re reneging on similar promises to a tiny nation in our own back yard.”

Read more about Women's Commission advocacy efforts on behalf of Haitian refugees.