Embassy of Haiti -Haitian Living Abroard, February 7 2003

Haitians Living Abroad

February 7, 2003

Historical Context

The numbers of Haitians living abroad grew significantly during the 29 years of dictatorship under the Duvalier regime and was limited in its relationship with Haiti until the departure of Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1986. At that time thousands of Haitians, living in political or self-exile, returned to visit, or in many cases, to live in Haiti. Demonstrating increased solidarity and the will of the nation to move forward together, President Aristide fondly referred to those Haitians living abroad as the Tenth Department, acknowledging them as the other department in addition to the nine geographic departments within Haiti. Responding to the demands of the Tenth Department, there has been a large focus since Aristide's inauguration in 1991, on enlarging their role and restoring their rights within Haiti, although they reside outside of Haiti.

Economic and Political Contributions The Tenth Department contributes largely to the life and economy of Haiti, through remittances to their families (approximately $800 million annually), business ventures and charity programs, investing in business, shipping in of materials, and in their endless efforts to advance democracy in Haiti. The experiences and skills, both in business, social services, and democratic practices, make the help, advice and participation of the Tenth Department Haitians a vital element in the development and advancement of Haiti. Since President Aristide's inauguration in 1991, Haitians from abroad have held key positions in the Haitian government. During the three years of the brutal coup d'etat in which President Aristide was forced into exile, the Tenth Department played a critical role in the mobilization for the return of constitutional rule. In addition to individuals and Haitian organizations, town associations, made up of persons originating from the same towns in Haiti, sprouted up throughout the U.S. and other countries. The Haitian government works to strengthen inter-Haitian cooperation that plays an active role in providing material support, health and educational services to their hometowns. Hundreds of tons of aid shipped to Haiti, as well as installing electrical plants in small towns, are some of the major contributions of these town associations. In turn the Haitian government is working hard to help facilitate the work of Haitians living abroad, making information more readily available, expediting customs, and strengthening its partnership with the Tenth Department. Moving Toward Dual Citizenship The Tenth Department has called for the implementation of dual citizenship and the Lavalas government has committed to passing legislation to this effect. The 1987 Constitution strictly provides that any constitutional amendments be passed only by an outgoing Parliament. However, the Lavalas government has restored many of the rights and expanded the benefits of Haitians living abroad, short of granting dual citizenship, until legislation is possible. Migration Challenges for Haiti and its Neighbors Haiti's population stands at approximately 8 million, while the Tenth Department is believed to be close to 2.5 million, with the majority residing in the United States and the Dominican Republic. The Haitian government maintains a relationship with the Tenth Department internationally and works for the betterment of its citizens wherever they may reside. For example, life for Haitians in the Dominican Republic has been very difficult, with most working as undocumented sugar cane cutters, whose children, when born in the Dominican Republic, until recently have not been recognized by that State. In 1998, for example, only 12% (or 72,000) out of 600,000 Haitians living in the Dominican Republic were documented, while Haitians represented 6% of the total population in the Dominican Republic. Without recognition or documentation, Haitians are refused schooling, medical care, and are subject forced expulsion, often being separated from their families and belongings. Recently the Haitian government, through its ambassador to the Dominican Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, as well as the hard work of the Haitian-Dominican Mixed Commission, took several steps to assure the rights of Haitians in the Dominican Republic, including the granting of birth certificates. During the dictatorship era thousands fled Haiti escaping repression. When President Aristide was inaugurated in 1991, the exodus decreased to a mere trickle. Seven months later when President Aristide was ousted during a bloody coup d'etat, the country was plunged into three years of repression resulting in 5,000 deaths, 300,000 internally displaced and more than 60,000 taking to the high seas. President Aristide asked other countries in the region to temporarily house the refugees agreeing to receive them back home when democracy would be restored. After his return to Haiti, President Aristide set up an office to receive the refugees and help them get back to their rural towns, ultimately assisting 100,000 refugees returned to Haiti. After President Aristide's return to Haiti with the restoration of democracy, Haitians once again wanted to stay home bringing the refugee issue to a halt. Today, Haiti's eight million people have been suffering under an unjust embargo for the past two years causing further deterioration of already fragile social services and infrastructure. A campaign waged by those who seek to reverse democratic gains, has paralyzed the country and is wreaking havoc on the psyche of the Haitian people. These unbearable conditions have led to a new surge of Haitians taking to the high seas, risking their lives, breaking up families, posing enormous strains on other countries who ultimately must bear the burden. Although these refugees are outside of Haiti, the Haitian government continues to assume their responsibility to ensure the rights and well-being of their people as well as to receive them warmly if they are returned back to Haiti. <-- Previous Top

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Haitians Living Abroad