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Groups Ask UN to Probe U.S. Treatment of Haitians

Two U.S.-based human rights groups have urged the United Nations to investigate a U.S. policy of detaining Haitians who arrive in the United States seeking political asylum.

The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center asked the Geneva-based U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention this week to investigate the policy as quickly as possible.

The detention of non-criminal Haitian asylum seekers violates international law and is arbitrary and discriminatory, the organizations said in a legal brief submitted to the U.N. group.

"Like asylum seekers of other nationalities, these Haitians fled persecution in their home country to seek refuge in the United States. But unlike those of other nationalities, Haitian asylum seekers are held
for months if not years without the possibility of release on bond," the filing said.

It added that Haitians who had demonstrated a credible claim to asylum were often detained in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions that left them severely traumatized.

Haitian Americans have complained for years that they are treated differently from other refugees, especially Cubans who are normally allowed to stay in the United States and can quickly gain legal permanent residence. The Cubans are treated as political refugees while most Haitians are viewed as economic migrants seeking a better life.

The United States tries to intercept and return all Haitian refugee craft before they reach the coast. However those who make it ashore are entitled to claim political asylum.