This morning, former president of Haiti Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned to the country after seven years in exile. Haiti, which has still not recovered from an earthquake that struck the island nation over a year ago, is also scheduled to hold run-off presidential elections this weekend. MADRE has worked in Haiti since the 1990s, and currently works there with our partner organization KOFAVIV. Below, read MADRE's statement about Aristide's return:
Today, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned to Haiti after seven years of exile in South Africa. Aristide, the nation’s first democratically elected president, was twice ousted from power with support from the United States. MADRE calls for all members of the international community, including the US, to respect Aristide’s right to return.
News of Aristide’s return comes as the country prepares for run-off presidential elections to be held on Sunday. The United States had tried to prevent Aristide’s return, unsuccessfully pressuring the South African government to keep him from leaving.
MADRE affirms Aristide’s right to return to Haiti, as well as his freedom of movement and expression, which are guaranteed by international law. As stated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), “no one should be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.”
Our partners in Haiti report that opponents to Aristide may use his return as a pretext for violent attacks. MADRE echoes the calls of the women of Haiti as they demand an end to the use of political violence, and we stand with their work to promote peace.
To read more about Aristide's return, click here. For more on MADRE's work in Haiti, click here.
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