HAITI: Update on Preparations for June 1 Int'l Day of Action in Solidarity with the Haitian Workers and People

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John Kirkland

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May 30, 2012, 6:31:11 AM5/30/12

June 1, 2012: International Day of Mobilization and Solidarity with the Haitian Workers and People

Initial Call Issued by the Continuations Committee of the International Commission of Inquiry on Haiti (ICI-H) & the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations to the Victims of Cholera

To the Labor, Political, Popular and Democratic Organizations the World Over

Since June, 2004, a multinational occupation force has been installed in our country under the cover of the United Nations. Its official aim is to "stabilize" Haiti. But behind this purported mission, we know full well that this occupation force is here to safeguard imperialism's project in Haiti -- that is, to guarantee the interests of the multinational companies and those of the local ruling class.

June 1, 2012, will mark the 8th anniversary of the MINUSTAH [UN Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti] presence in Haiti. During these eight years, this so-called stabilization force has become infamous for its multiple assaults against the Haitian people. Many of the violations of human rights, rapes, thefts, and trampling upon university autonomy are widely known and have been documented and denounced by human rights, labor and popular organizations.

The introduction of the cholera epidemic into Haiti by the MINUSTAH troops has added salt to the gaping wound. More than 7,000 deaths from cholera have been recorded, and more 500,000 people are already infected, according to official estimates.

In the face of this alarming situation, we are witnessing a growing outburst of hatred and mobilization against the MINUSTAH presence in Haiti. In this framework, the Continuations Committee of the International Commission of Inquiry on Haiti (ICI-H) and the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations to the Victims of Cholera have already organized several activities to raise awareness about, and mobilize for, the immediate withdrawal of the MINUSTAH troops and reparations by the United Nations for the victims of the cholera epidemic.

These mobilizations have to continue until we are victorious.

In Haiti, like elsewhere -- particularly in the Caribbean region and on a continental level -- many activities and mobilizations have already been organized.

On November 5, 2011, a Continental Rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, representing 14 countries, proposed the formation of a Continental Committee for the Immediate Withdrawal of the UN Troops from Haiti and the organization of an International Day of Action around this demand on June 1, 2012 -- the 8th anniversary of the MINUSTAH occupation of Haiti. The Caribbean Conference of Cap-Haitien on November 16-18, 2011, unanimously supported this proposal from the Sao Paulo rally.

In the spirit of the resolution adopted at this Caribbean Conference, we Haitian organizations that are part of the Continuations Committee of the ICI-H and the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations, hereby issue the Call to your organizations the world over, inviting you to join us in this International Day of mobilization and solidarity with the workers and people of Haiti. We call upon you to help us ensure its full success.

Together, let us demand:

- The total and unconditional cancellation of all of Haiti's debts;

- An end to the policies of structural adjustment;

- The repayment by France of the US$21 billion that it looted from the first Haitian Republic;

- The immediate withdrawal of all occupation forces;

- the abolition of the International Committee for the Reconstruction of Haiti (CIRH, by its French acronym), a supranational body headed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton);

- Reparations by the United Nations to all the victims of the MINUSTAH occupation.

-- April 4, 2012

signed/

Petit-Jean DERINX

On behalf of the Continuations Committee of the ICI-H

Yves PIERRE-LOUIS

On behalf of the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations to the Victims of Cholera

- - -

(1) Steering Committee formed by : CATH, Chaandel, CTSP, Modep, Rona, Unnoh and others.

(2) Collective formed by : Batay Ouvriyé, Tèt Kole Organizasyon Poliè yo, UNNOH, MODEP, MOLEGAF,KRD, Sèk Gramsci, GREPS, Chandèl, AVS, Bri Kouri Nouvèl Gaye, ACREF, and other.

* * * * *

UPDATES

The 1st May was organised by the Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers (CATH) for the immediate withdrawal of the MINUSTAH. The meeting took place in Ouanaminthe, where Arnold Bien Aimé, member of the Executive Committee of the workers and employees union in the Free Trade Zones of Ouanaminthe and Dieubénite, Dorsainval (Sofezo-Codevi) were sacked. Information given by the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers (CATH) has served to launch an international campaign endorsed by dozens of signatures of unions all over the continent asking for the immediate rehiring of these leaders.

* * * * * * * *

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES ON JUNE 1 IN FRAMEWORK OF CONTINENTAL DAY OF ACTION FOR AN END TO THE OCCUPATION OF HAITI

The continental day of action on the 1st of June, organised at the initiative of the Continental Committee of the Continental Meeting (5th of November 2011) that assembled in Sao Paulo with representatives from 14 countries, has as a central axis the combat for the sovereignty of the Haitian people and the demand for the withdrawal of MINUSTAH troops from Haiti.

We publish the accounts of preparation for this continental day from different countries. Join us in our combat for the sovereignty of the Haitian people. Take part in this day of action! Organise a demonstration in your own town.

ACTIVITIES IN HAITI:

Harry E. Jean Phillipe (Radio Peyizan) reports that the Steering Committee of the International Inquiry Commission on Haiti and the Mobilisation Collective for Compensation for the Cholera Victims are busy preparing a series of mobilising events all over the country:

- Throughout the week leading up to June 1 there will be photo exhibits and displays of statements and texts organised in many neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince and some cities across Haiti.

On June 1 there will be conferences, forums and a central demonstration in Port-au-Prince to demand the immediate withdrawal of MINUSTAH troops from Haiti and reparations for the cholera victims.

Activities will take place on June 4 in four cities: Port-au-Prince, Cayes (in the south), Cap-Haïtien (in the north) and Hinche (in the Plateau Central).

ALSO: Activities against MINUSTAH and in support of the cholera victims also took place on 18th of May (Flag Day). The CATH also reports that activities will be organised in Ounaminthe.

ACROSS THE CONTINENT:

MEXICO: At the initiative of the Political Organisation of the Workers and People (OPT), there will be a rally in Mexico City in front of the US Embassy with a letter addressed to the UN for the withdrawal of troops. In Mexicali, on the border with the US, there is to be a public rally, and in the city of Hermosillo (Sonora), there will be a rally in front of the US Consulate.

PERU: a Peruvian Committee for the withdrawal of Peruvian troops from Haiti has been set up with the CGTP trade union federation taking part ; it will hold a meeting demanding the withdrawal of UN troops from Haiti, within the framework of the mobilisation organised by the Sao Paulo Continental Committee and will, through the CGTP Secretary for International relations, request an audience with the Congress President for 4 p.m.on the Ist June in order to transmit to him a copy of the letter addressed to the President of the Republic.

ECUADOR : A national Meeting for the defence of the sovereignty of Haiti will be held in Quito, followed by a march to transmit a letter to President Rafael Correa for the withdrawal of Ecuadorian soldiers that are part of the MINUSTAH troops.

BOLIVIA: The Bolivian Worker Confederation (COB) on the occasion of its Congress will take part in the preparation of this day.

GUADELOUPE: The ATPC, Association of Workers and Peoples of the Caribbean, will organise with the LKP a delegation to the French State representation in Guadeloupe.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: the Dominican Trade Union Confederation (DTU) has informed us through its General Secretary, Bernard Nicholas, that it will send a letter, to be published, to the Prime Minister inviting the government to use all means at its disposal in the UN to get the MINUSTAH to immediately withdraw from Haitian territory, inviting also the Dominican people to let their voices be heard."

UNITED STATES: Activities are being organised in St Louis, San Francisco, Boston (at Citicorp branch to demand repatriation of gold stolen from Haiti's Central Bank during 1915-34 US occupation) and New York (in front of the United Nations).

FRANCE: a broad-based delegation in Paris will go to government offices.

BRAZIL: Sao Paulo (SP): the Committee "to defend Haiti is to defend ourselves" with the MST, the MNU, the member of Parliament Adriano Diogo, Claudia Silva from SOS racism and the PT O Trabalho current are organising a meeting in the Presidency of the Republic representation offices in SP where a letter demanding the withdrawal of troops will be sent, requesting an audience with Minister Celso Amorim. Mogi das Cruzes (SP) : teachers will be organising a Free Haiti Committee with a debate the 11th May and a delegation to the meeting in SP. Barueri (SP): debate at the town hall the 1st June. Porto Alegre (RS): the Committee (CUT trade unions, MNU and PT activists) is preparing a meeting at the CPERS teachers 'union headquarters in the presence of Marcon , member of Parliament (PT). Salvador (BA): the Committee (JR,JPT PT activists and CUT trade union activists) is organising a meeting in the CECUT (CUT State Congress). Fortaleza (CE) : a meeting with video projection is being organised by young people (JR and Levante Popular) and also Dialogue pétista reunions. Sarandi (PR): meeting at the town hall with a video "What is happening in Haiti" and a debate. Brasilia (DF): meeting organised by trade unions and Juventude Revolucao (Revolution Youth) at Government Palace.