Haitian Blogs

On the Government's Intent to Subordinate the Diaspora to Foreign Affairs

The Prime Minister-designate, M. Daniel Rouzier, declared on May 25 his intention, upon confirmation, to reduce the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) to an office under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

MHAVE is a government ministry that is in charge of the relations between the Haitian State and the 4 million Haitian nationals/descendants who live in more than 20 countries throughout the World. To date, it has been the most significant tool utilized by the State to cement the links that exist between all of its children, those who live within and those who live without.

MHAVE, as presently constituted, pursues the following objectives that serve the interests of the State: mobilize all human and financial resources that can be deployed to the service and development of Haiti; assist Haitians Living Abroad in organizing themselves more effectively; coordinate all state agencies to facilitate the participation of Regional Associations in local development; to open a market for Haitian products in designated ethnic markets; encourage not just money transfers but investments as well; promote the Haitian culture particularly with newer generations of Haitian Nationals Living Abroad; search the support of elected officials abroad to advance the Haitian cause; facilitate the sharing of critical knowledge among our professionals and technicians; encourage Haitians Living Abroad to retire in Haiti, which would positively influence the financial flow in their selected retirement communities; assist Haitian immigrants in their social and political integration where they live; keep an eye on the due process of their migrant rights. But in addition to all of the above, MHAVE maintains in Haiti itself a political space for all Haitians Living Abroad.

It would be virtually impossible for a simple state office to accomplish all those objectives, not even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which must focus on maintaining critical bilateral and multilateral international relations. There must be a distinct structure that is capable of responding to the challenges laid out above, particularly in the context of reconstruction of the country after the Earthquake of 2010 and the capacity of Haitians Living Abroad to assist Haiti in her hour of greatest need.

We ask that all Haitian organizations mobilize today to prevent the dissolution of their Ministry, which was created in 1994 after much struggle to defend Haitian popular will and democracy. It is unfortunate that the Ministry has been treated as a poor relative, which has handicapped its efforts to accomplish its work with a global vision. This must change. It is not normal that our politicians seek the financing of their electoral campaign mostly abroad, tax money transfers and telephone calls coming from abroad, seek further assistance for their project of national education, and then instead of reinforcing MHAVE, they proceed to downgrade the Ministry. This is tantamount to closing the door on any significant participation of Haitians Living Abroad in the affairs of the State, other than being a cash cow for political contributions.

Related 05.26.2011: A Minority in Haiti is Threatened by the Haitian Diaspora
Related 04.26.2011: Martelly to Tax Diaspora $8.5 USA per Month
Related 04.25.2011: Martelly Calls for the Haitian Diaspora to Organize
Related 04.03.2011: National Day of the Diaspora is April 20th
Source: DH Contributor's Original