Haiti needs a "Marshall plan" for water and sanitation to quell a cholera epidemic which poses a major threat to the Caribbean and Latin America, according to the UN assistant secretary general.
Pedro Medrano Rojas, who is co-ordinating the response in Haiti, is visiting European capitals this week to drum up support for the faltering effort to deal with an epidemic that has killed 8,540 since 2010 and infected almost 700,000 people.
Studies have shown the cholera strain was probably introduced to the country by UN troops from Nepal, who were deployed in Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake that killed more than 217,000 people.
Evidence suggests the outbreak of cholera, which is endemic in Nepal, occurred when contaminated sewage was discharged from barracks into a watercourse. Cholera is spread through infected faeces. Once it enters the water supply, it is difficult to contain, especially in a country such as Haiti, which has almost no effective sewage disposal systems.
Cholera cases had previously been rare in Haiti. Survivors of the 2010 outbreak are filing a compensation claim against the UN in a New York court, demanding that billions of dollars in damages be paid to them and the relatives of those killed. The UN maintains it has legal immunity from such compensation claims and rejected demands from affected Haitians. The case is being pursued by the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti.
Showing posts with label CARICOM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CARICOM. Show all posts
Friday, March 7, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Beyond drug trafficking: toward genuine security in the Caribbean
Drug trafficking is, by many accounts, a major security challenge in the Caribbean region.
Due in part to aggressive counter-drug trafficking operations in Central America, drug traffickers based in Mexico and Colombia increasingly use the Caribbean as an alternative path for drugs en route to the United States.
To transport this volume of traffic, a growing number of boats—including the infamous narco subs—cross Caribbean waters carrying contraband. Many pass without being stopped, because most regional security forces lack sufficient coast guard personnel or equipment to properly monitor their territorial waters.
With large quantities of drugs smuggled across Caribbean waters each year, other countries have stepped in to stem the flow. For example, Operation Lionfish, a multinational law enforcement initiative, brought police agencies from multiple nations in the Caribbean and Central America into coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). The operation, which ran from May 27 to June 10, captured 142 suspects and seized up to 30 tons of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. In mid-July, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped a speedboat that was carrying 2,300 pounds of cocaine in the Central Caribbean.
Due in part to aggressive counter-drug trafficking operations in Central America, drug traffickers based in Mexico and Colombia increasingly use the Caribbean as an alternative path for drugs en route to the United States.
To transport this volume of traffic, a growing number of boats—including the infamous narco subs—cross Caribbean waters carrying contraband. Many pass without being stopped, because most regional security forces lack sufficient coast guard personnel or equipment to properly monitor their territorial waters.
With large quantities of drugs smuggled across Caribbean waters each year, other countries have stepped in to stem the flow. For example, Operation Lionfish, a multinational law enforcement initiative, brought police agencies from multiple nations in the Caribbean and Central America into coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). The operation, which ran from May 27 to June 10, captured 142 suspects and seized up to 30 tons of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. In mid-July, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped a speedboat that was carrying 2,300 pounds of cocaine in the Central Caribbean.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Mockery of CARICOM's Dominican Republic stand?
FOR all the vehement outbursts by the Caribbean Community against the Dominican Republic’s highly controversial new immigration law that has effectively denationalised an estimated 200,000 DR citizens of Haitian descent, Caricom ambassadors to the Organisation of American States (OAS) last month quietly joined in electing the DR’s accredited envoy—Pedro Verges—as new chairman of the hemispheric body’s permanent council.
Why? The official explanation offered is that this election process has evolved as a tradition, the norm, based on a rotation system.
It may well be asked whether Caricom, which directly controls a bloc of 14 votes in the OAS, simply opted to abide by this rotation tradition without bothering about the evident contradiction with the principled position it has been articulating over recent months to cease doing “business as usual” in relation to the DR—unless willingness is shown to revoke the new controversial race-based immigration law.
While the future status of thousands of people of Haitian descent remains in limbo, affecting schooling, the right to work and travel, Caricom and the wider OAS seem to have resigned themselves to simply abiding by an election tradition that clearly mocks their own separate and collective condemnation of the DR’s repulsive new law.
Why? The official explanation offered is that this election process has evolved as a tradition, the norm, based on a rotation system.
It may well be asked whether Caricom, which directly controls a bloc of 14 votes in the OAS, simply opted to abide by this rotation tradition without bothering about the evident contradiction with the principled position it has been articulating over recent months to cease doing “business as usual” in relation to the DR—unless willingness is shown to revoke the new controversial race-based immigration law.
While the future status of thousands of people of Haitian descent remains in limbo, affecting schooling, the right to work and travel, Caricom and the wider OAS seem to have resigned themselves to simply abiding by an election tradition that clearly mocks their own separate and collective condemnation of the DR’s repulsive new law.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Haiti’s pride of place in history unquestionable – CARICOM Secretary-General
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, has extended congratulations and best wishes to Haiti on the occasion of its 210th anniversary of independence celebrated on Wednesday, 1 January 2014.
In a congratulatory message to His Excellency Michel Martelly, President of the Republic of Haiti, the Secretary-General said that Haiti’s pride of place in history was unquestionable.
“This is a day that is etched in the hearts and psyche of Haitians as the day when dignity, courage and the inexorable quest for freedom, equality and betterment that reside in the human spirit soared triumphantly in Haiti, searing an indelible mark on the trajectory of human civilization,” Amb. LaRocque said.
Alluding to the purpose, valour and resilience with which the Haitians have faced daunting challenges and natural disasters, and their march towards social and economic development, Secretary-General LaRocque assured President Martelly that Haiti was not alone and that it could count on the solidarity of fellow Member States of CARICOM.
In a congratulatory message to His Excellency Michel Martelly, President of the Republic of Haiti, the Secretary-General said that Haiti’s pride of place in history was unquestionable.
“This is a day that is etched in the hearts and psyche of Haitians as the day when dignity, courage and the inexorable quest for freedom, equality and betterment that reside in the human spirit soared triumphantly in Haiti, searing an indelible mark on the trajectory of human civilization,” Amb. LaRocque said.
Alluding to the purpose, valour and resilience with which the Haitians have faced daunting challenges and natural disasters, and their march towards social and economic development, Secretary-General LaRocque assured President Martelly that Haiti was not alone and that it could count on the solidarity of fellow Member States of CARICOM.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
VIDEO: Caribbean, LatAm leaders conclude ALBA-PETROCARIBE Summit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAE7XvjNcj4
This week, Venezuela successfully held the ALBA-PETROCARIBE Summit in its capital city, Caracas. The aim of this international gathering was to strengthen the institutional mechanisms governing the integration process of Latin America and the Caribbean. Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica were among delegations from over 20 countries.
This week, Venezuela successfully held the ALBA-PETROCARIBE Summit in its capital city, Caracas. The aim of this international gathering was to strengthen the institutional mechanisms governing the integration process of Latin America and the Caribbean. Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica were among delegations from over 20 countries.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
CARICOM affirms commitment to disabled
Caricom has reinforced its commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the Caribbean with the signing of the Declaration of Petion Ville on Friday in Haiti.
According to a press release from the Caricom Secretariat, in the declaration Caricom member states reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the Kingston Accord on the Responsibilities of States with respect to Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of respective member states.
According to a press release from the Caricom Secretariat, in the declaration Caricom member states reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the Kingston Accord on the Responsibilities of States with respect to Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of respective member states.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines PM Gonsalves to make Dominican Republic racism a priority as CARICOM Chairman
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has indicated that the Dominican Republic citizenship problem will be one of his priorities when he takes over as CARICOM Chairman in January. “It’s one of the many priorities. We can’t just drop it – Haiti is a member of CARICOM, the Dominican Republic is in CARIFORUM, they are within our sea space and landscape, they are part of our Caribbean civilization. It has to be dealt with”.
Dr Gonsalves has been pressing for sanctions to be imposed on Santo Domingo, over the constitutional court ruling that could strip the citizenship of tens of thousands of Dominicans, mainly those of Haitian descent. “Shouldn’t you be passionate about it? Shouldn’t every single human being who treasures human rights be passionate about it?” the Vincentian leader responded when asked why he felt it necessary to take a strong stand on that matter.
Dr Gonsalves has been pressing for sanctions to be imposed on Santo Domingo, over the constitutional court ruling that could strip the citizenship of tens of thousands of Dominicans, mainly those of Haitian descent. “Shouldn’t you be passionate about it? Shouldn’t every single human being who treasures human rights be passionate about it?” the Vincentian leader responded when asked why he felt it necessary to take a strong stand on that matter.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
CARICOM strengthens commitment to persons with disabilities in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has strengthened its commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the Caribbean with the signing of the Declaration of Pétion Ville on Friday 6 December in Haiti.
In the Declaration, the CARICOM Member States reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the Kingston Accord on the Responsibilities of States with respect to Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of respective Member States.
In the Declaration, the CARICOM Member States reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the Kingston Accord on the Responsibilities of States with respect to Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of respective Member States.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Is the Dominican Republic about to pay the price for anti-Haitian violence?
The resurgence of anti-Haitian sentiment in the Dominican Republic made itself visible in recent weeks following the controversial citizenship ruling passed by the highest Dominican court in October. Now, after a case of mob violence this past Saturday that resulted in the lynching of a Haitian man and the mass expulsion of hundreds of migrants, the situation appears to be getting progressively more fraught. Regional blowback, in the form of possible sanctions by the Caribbean Community (Caricom), could add to the already intense international pressure faced by Dominican President Danilo Medina’s government.
Caribbean leaders consider slapping sanctions on the Dominican Republic
As new tensions mount between Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, the top brass of the Caribbean Community will decide Tuesday whether to impose sanctions against the Dominican Republic over a high court ruling denying citizenship to tens of thousands of Haitian descendants
Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and incoming chairman of Caricom, flew to Trinidad on Monday, as did Haitian President Michel Martelly, the immediate past chair. On Tuesday, the two will meet with current chairwoman and Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a special meeting to discuss a range of sanctions that include freezing the Dominican Republic’s application to join their grouping.
Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and incoming chairman of Caricom, flew to Trinidad on Monday, as did Haitian President Michel Martelly, the immediate past chair. On Tuesday, the two will meet with current chairwoman and Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a special meeting to discuss a range of sanctions that include freezing the Dominican Republic’s application to join their grouping.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines PM critical of CARICOM ‘tepid’ response
St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has described Caricom’s eventual response to the Dominican Republic’s expatriation of its citizens of Haitian descent as “tepid”.
Gonsalves, who acknowledged that Caricom took some time after a landmark September ruling by a Dominican Republic (DR) constitutional court that strips hundreds of thousands of citizens of Haitian descent of their birthright, promised to carry on a fight against the DR if a possible crisis is not averted by January 2014, when he assumes chairmanship of Caricom.
Gonsalves, who acknowledged that Caricom took some time after a landmark September ruling by a Dominican Republic (DR) constitutional court that strips hundreds of thousands of citizens of Haitian descent of their birthright, promised to carry on a fight against the DR if a possible crisis is not averted by January 2014, when he assumes chairmanship of Caricom.
Civil Society presents petition to CARICOM Leaders on Dominican Republic Court Ruling
CARICOM – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has an “historic opportunity” to demonstrate its relevance to, and its caring for, the citizens of the Region by resolving the issue surrounding the effect of the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court’s Ruling on Nationality on persons of Haitian descent in the country.
CARICOM statement on developments in the aftermath of the ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic on nationality
CARICOM – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) condemns the abhorrent and discriminatory ruling of September 23, 2013, of the Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic on nationality which retroactively strips tens of thousands of Dominicans, mostly of Haitian descent, of citizenship rendering them stateless and with no recourse to appeal
OECS denounces Dominican Republic court ruling on nationality
We, the Authority of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) meeting in Montserrat at our 58th Meeting, express our collective abhorrence at the 23 September 2013 ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic that effectively renders stateless, thousands of men, women and children mostly of Haitian descent.
The decision of the Constitutional Court is repulsive and discriminatory. We deeply regret the failure of the Government of the Dominican Republic to take corrective measures. Accordingly, we call on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of which our individual countries are also Members, to suspend immediately any consideration of the application by the Dominican Republic for membership of CARICOM.
Further, until this injustice has been addressed, the Member States of the OECS would find it extremely difficult to engage with the Dominican Republic in various fora including within the councils of the Caribbean Forum of African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (CARIFORUM).
Equally, consideration ought to be accorded by the relevant authorities to the continued participation in the Petro Caribe Agreement of the Dominican Republic until a credible plan of corrective measures be elaborated for implementation in the shortest possible time by the Government of the Dominican Republic regarding the issue at hand.
We also call on other regional and hemispheric organisations such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to speak out unequivocally in condemnation of this ruling. The individual and collective voices of all who believe in and are committed to human rights and justice for all must now be raised to urge the Dominican Republic to right this terrible wrong.
The decision of the Constitutional Court is repulsive and discriminatory. We deeply regret the failure of the Government of the Dominican Republic to take corrective measures. Accordingly, we call on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of which our individual countries are also Members, to suspend immediately any consideration of the application by the Dominican Republic for membership of CARICOM.
Further, until this injustice has been addressed, the Member States of the OECS would find it extremely difficult to engage with the Dominican Republic in various fora including within the councils of the Caribbean Forum of African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (CARIFORUM).
Equally, consideration ought to be accorded by the relevant authorities to the continued participation in the Petro Caribe Agreement of the Dominican Republic until a credible plan of corrective measures be elaborated for implementation in the shortest possible time by the Government of the Dominican Republic regarding the issue at hand.
We also call on other regional and hemispheric organisations such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to speak out unequivocally in condemnation of this ruling. The individual and collective voices of all who believe in and are committed to human rights and justice for all must now be raised to urge the Dominican Republic to right this terrible wrong.