By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

May 5, 2023 – A Committee of the United Nations is urging countries in the Caribbean and Americas to hold off on the expulsion of Haitians who flee to their countries.  This comes out of concern for Haitians who are subject to violence and are forced back to Haïti without proper assessments of their protection needs.

As highlighted by Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General who spoke of Haitians as the victims of one of the worst human rights crises in decades; the 18 Committee experts expressed concern that Haitians are vulnerable to degrading, cruel, and inhumane treatment and racial profiling from law enforcement agencies. Also, they experience excessive force from countries.

The need for the protection of Haitians is seen now more than ever. The gang issue plaguing the country has now led to a 21 percent increase in homicides for the previous quarter, 815 up from 673; as well as 63 percent in kidnappings, 637 up from 391

The call to action referenced the increase in expulsion numbers this year without consideration given to their safety.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), estimated that 36,000 Haitians were expelled from countries between January and March (90 percent from Dominican Republic) up from 22,000 the same time last year, with about 15,000 from the US.

In a statement on Friday April 28th, 2023, the Committee expressed that countries should take measures to protect “Haitians on the move,” instead of purely negative moves against the refugees.

“Caribbean countries, such as The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, announced repressive measures against undocumented Haitian migrants.” Additionally, the US put in place a plan for the increased expulsion of Haitians  as well as other migrants to Mexico.

Haiti is in need of all the support they can get and as expressed by the UN, that includes being mindful of the urgent need for protection, hence the reason they flee to these countries.