Refugees International: Articles: Refugees International Urges the U.S. to Grant Asylum to Haitians Fleeing Political Violence

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Refugees International Urges the U.S. to Grant Asylum to Haitians Fleeing Political Violence

Haiti 2004 - Child on Beach
02/20/2004

Refugees International is closely monitoring the situation in Haiti, where political violence has been escalating in recent weeks. In the past, political unrest has led Haitians to seek asylum in the United States by crossing the Caribbean in boats to reach Florida. The current crisis has yet to provoke a large-scale movement of refugees; however, several hundred Haitians have crossed by land into the neighboring Dominican Republic and ten members of the Haitian police have sought asylum in Jamaica.

U.S. treatment of Haitian asylum seekers has been harsh during both the Clinton and current Bush Administrations. In sharp contrast to the treatment of Cuban asylum seekers, the U.S. seeks to intercept Haitians at sea and either return them to Haiti or find another country in the Caribbean that will accept them. Those few who manage to reach the U.S. are summarily detained and usually deported.

In the context of the current crisis, RI has written to Secretary of State Colin Powell, urging him to ensure that Haitian asylum seekers are treated justly and granted the right to a hearing on U.S. soil:

February 18, 2004


The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
Department of State
Washington, DC

    Dear Secretary Powell:

    In light of the escalating violence in Haiti, Refugees International welcomes the Administration’s commitment to upholding democratic ideals in Haiti, and the call for the Haitian government to respect the human rights of its citizens. RI hopes that the current crisis can be resolved peacefully before the violence reaches a level that will provoke a large-scale exodus of Haitian citizens seeking safety.

    In the event that the current conflict does escalate, thousands of Haitians may once again find themselves with no alternative but to attempt to reach the United States by crossing the Caribbean in boats. U.S. policy dating back to the previous Administration has failed to protect Haitians seeking asylum in this country. Haitian asylum seekers have not been granted a meaningful opportunity to present their claims. Instead, the U.S. has yielded to domestic political pressures and closed its borders to individuals genuinely in need of protection.

    The U.S. responds to Haitians seeking asylum by intercepting vessels at sea and forcing passengers to return to Haiti with poor or no screening and no guarantee for their safety. By conducting off-shore screening under less than appropriate conditions, detaining individuals (and in the process sometimes separating families) for extensive periods of time, and failing to monitor outcomes of returned individuals, the U.S. risks violating international and asylum law. Specifically, such responses risk the involuntary return of bona fide refugees, a violation of the principle of non-refoulement. Refugees International believes that processing asylum seekers in the U.S. is the best option to provide adequate screening.

    As a global leader committed to democracy-building, human rights, and refugee protection, the United States must serve as an example for other countries in respecting international laws and responding to individuals in need of international protection. As you strive to support democracy and address the root causes of political instability in Haiti, Refugees International asks the U.S. to ensure that its borders do not close in the face of those who seek asylum on these shores.


Sincerely,

                            Kenneth H. Bacon
                            President