Subject: Revision of Peace and Justice Commission Recommendation: Supporting the People of Haiti

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1 Linda Maio Councilmember District 1 CONSENT CALENDAR May 6, 2008 To: From: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Councilmember Linda Maio Subject: Revision of Peace and Justice Commission Recommendation: Supporting the People of Haiti RECOMMENDATION 1) Call on all authorities in Haiti, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, the United States, Canada, France, and Brazil, Nepal, and Jordan (those countries who have the largest number of troops assigned) who consider themselves the friends of Haiti, to work for rapid implementation of the following: a) Release of all political prisoners, b) Guaranteed freedom of speech and assembly, c) The safe return of Human Rights Activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, d) A thorough investigation of all allegations of United Nations troop raids in Cite Soleil and elsewhere regarding perpetration of violent attacks, rapes and sexual exploitation, and where misconduct has occurred, ensure the restoration of the subject villages homes and families, and compensation to innocent victims. e) All alleged violators to be brought to justice and duly punished if guilty, as was done in 2007 with 123 military personnel and one police officer. f) Withdrawal of all foreign occupying forces including the United Nations and United States forces and support democratic processes in governance. 2) Call on members of the Bay Area Congressional Delegation to co-sponsor H.Res.241, which urges multilateral financial institutions to cancel completely and immediately Haiti s debts to such institutions, specifically Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi [CA-8], Zoe Lofgren [CA-16], Anna Eshoo [CA-14], and George Miller [CA-7], and direct the City Manager to send letters to that effect to these representatives; 3) Request Representative Barbara Lee [CA-9] to introduce legislation, similar to H.R.946, to establish an Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup d Etat in the 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA Tel: (510) D: (510) Fax: (510) lmaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us

2 Supporting the People of Haiti May 6, 2008 Republic of Haiti, and request Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to introduce similar legislation to H.R.946 in the Senate, and support the amendment included in the FY2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Conference Report prohibiting arms transfers and sales; and 4) Express our city s solidarity with the people of Haiti to achieve much needed peace and improved living and working conditions and extend a standing invitation to President Aristide to once again visit the City of Berkeley. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS None. BACKGROUND The 2004 Haiti Coup d Etat resulted in the premature end of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide s second term, and the installation of an interim government led by Prime Minister Gérard Latortue and President Boniface Alexandre. Many of the supporters of the Famni Lavalas party and Aristide, as well as progressive and independent observers worldwide, denounced the rebellion as a foreign controlled coup d etat orchestrated by Canada, France, and the United States to remove a democratically elected President. On May 14, 2006, Rene Garcia Preval was sworn in as the President of Haiti, following democratic elections in which 2.2 million Haitians (more than 60% of registered voters) participated. President Preval s election is a sign of hope for the people of Haiti who have suffered tremendously as a result of violence and natural disasters. However, the government of Haiti needs the support and assistance of the international community to ensure national reconciliation and sustainable development for the Haitian people. Debt cancellation is essential to this process. H.Res.241 urges multilateral financial institutions to cancel completely and immediately Haiti s debts to such institutions. Cancellation of Haiti s debts will enable the democratically elected government to improve health care, education and other essential government services; invest in critical infrastructure; and improve the lives of the Haitian people. Councilmember Linda Maio Council District Attachment 1 : U.N. Troops Accused of Human Rights Violations in Haiti, Maria Luisa Mendonca, Americas Program, Center for International Policy, January 29, Page 2

3 Supporting the People of Haiti May 6, 2008 Consultation regarding references to the United Nations provided by Rita Maran, 1 st Vice President of the Board of Directors of the United Nations Association of the East Bay, and UC Human Rights Professor. Rita Maran: (510) or ritam@berkeley.edu Page 3

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