Articles archive
Haiti : Between Covid-19 and the preparation of a new constitution
The situation is changing rapidly in Haiti. Not only is the country in the middle of the covid-19 crisis, but while the economic and food situation are getting worse, a political crisis is growing. The BINUH seems to support the president’s plans for a controversial reform of the constitution.
Covid-19 is increasing in Haiti
Colette Lespinasse, representing the CoEH in Haiti, writes to us about the current situation in her country. She tells a story of a country where the pandemic is gaining ground while the people are left to fend for themselves, without any clear actions of the government.
Press release CoEH May 20, 2020
Recent attacks against Haitian human rights organisations RNDDH, partner of various members of the CoEH, are the reason that we decided to ask for impartiality on the side of government institutions as well as an investigation into the shots recently fired at the RNDDH office.
Haiti – earthquake: ten years later
By exception we publish a text of some of our Haitian partner organisations only in French, without translation in English. However, we hope our readers will be able to get the message: Remembrance, understanding and perspective will the guiding principles in 2020.
HAITI : TO BE BORN AGAIN AND TO BUILD A NEW COMMUNITY IN ORDER NOT TO VANISH
Ten years after the earthquake, Haiti still has not recovered from the catastrophe. The Haitian state is not taking action to assist the people. Some Haitians despair, but others are trying to develop a new sense of community and have decided to stand up and take charge. Colette Lespinasse has written about these developments.
SOS ON BEHALF OF HAITIAN FARMERS AND THE AGRICULTURAL WINTER SEASON
Port-au-Prince, December 3, 2019 The Agricultural and Environmental Commission (CAEC) of the Connection Frame Inter-Organisations (CLIO) has been aware of the current discussions about the food situation in the country and of the provisions being taken by humanitarian...
Ten years after the earthquake Haiti rises against “darkness”.
Nearly ten years after the strong earthquake Haitians are rightfully showing their anger about the lack of real progress, argues Marcel Catsburg. This article has been published in the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, October 30, 2019
Statement of the COEH: current crisis in Haiti is unprecedented
Haiti is facing an unprecedented crisis while the international community is looking away. On behalf of our partner organisations in Haiti we, the members of the COEH, are demanding the attention of both the media and the European Union to support the demands of the Haitian people. In an open letter to the press and to the institutions of the European Union we explain the current situation.
HAITI : education at market prices on the radar of Justice
In two weeks, Haitian children will return to school after their summer holiday. But where going to school has never been easy for most children in Haiti, it has become even more difficult with costs rising to up to 100%. Parents are revolting, backed by a law on school fees. Will this be the start of a citizens revolt? Colette Lespinasse is commenting on the situation.
Massacre of La Saline: The Haitian State has not protected its citizens
A new report by MINUJUSTH on the massacre in La Saline, Port-au-Prince, November 2018, painfully shows that the Haitian government fails to provide basic security for its citizens.
Haiti: will the voice of the environment be heard?
Because of the political and economic situation thousands of Haitians are demonstrating these days and are demanding the departure of president Jovenel Moïse. But the environmental crisis should worry the population more than the political and economic crisis. Environmental recovery and sustainable protection is the top priority for Haiti today, says COEH representative in Haiti, Colette Lespinasse.
Statement of the EU Delegation in Haiti in view of the current challenges
The EU Delegation in Haiti has expressed its concerns in view of the general situation in the country, which remains the same for almost two months, while awaiting the ratification of a new government. The Coordination Europe-Haiti, in solidarity with the Haitian people, supports the EU’s efforts to contribute to a genuine dialogue and publishes here the statement of the Delegation.
Haiti crisis: who is at the steering wheel?
After « operation locked » in February, life in Haiti seemed to continue as before. But a close look is showing something else: a country plagued by violence of armed groups, with an economy in crisis and without a response from the government. The Haitian people are asking themselves: who is at the steering wheel? Colette Lespinasse, representative in Haiti of the COEH, analyses the current situation.
Haiti : between an emergency plan and the need of profound reforms
Haiti is in turmoil. The government announced an “economic state of emergency”, and all over the country people are taking to the streets, demanding the departure of president Jovenel Moise, who has been in power just two years. What is behind this political and economic crisis? And will there be light at the end of the tunnel? Colette Lespinasse, representative of the COEH in Haiti, explains the situation and shares her views.
Haiti 2018 : The COEH is standing by Haitian and international NGO’s promoting and defending family agriculture
In November of 2018, the Agricultural and Environmental Commission (CAEC) of the NGO-network CLIO organized a debate on public policies supporting family agriculture in Haiti. Colette Lespinasse wrote an introduction to the link of a video of the debates.
Earthquake in Haiti – not a natural catastrophe!
On Saturday 6 October, the earth trembled again in Haiti. But even after the large earthquake of 2010, Haiti is still lacking a general policy on housing construction, as well as strong institutional structures to check the quality of new constructions. Let us hope that the new earthquake will contribute to a greater awareness among citizens and government leaders, says Colette Lespinasse.
Haiti : the people demand accountability regarding the use of public funds
Corruption and neglect of its duties by their government are causing the Haitian people to demand accountability. Especially the case of the embezzlement of funds from the Petrocaribe Fund is causing increased protests. But without a general social mobilisation, the predators will continue to plunder the public treasury. Will Haiti be able to get out of this vicious circle?
Haiti: riots or insurrection of the oppressed against their dehumanisation?
Saturday July 14, in the middle of a parliamentary hearing Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant presented his resignation, after a turbulent week which left seven dead and much damage. Colette Lespinasse presents her analyse: the systematic violations of fundamental rights are the root cause of the unrest.
Haiti in between two Chinas – a choice between historic relations or economic support?
A few weeks ago, President Moïse paid a visit to Taiwan, in search of financial support. At the same time, Haitians are looking at the People’s Republic of China for possible loans and investments. Are relations with both countries compatible? And what do the Americans think of all this? This article appeared first in Dutch at La Chispa.
Hurricane season : the cry of the people in the South of Haiti
At the start of the hurricane season, June 1, people in the South of Haiti gave a cry of alarm to the Haitian State; almost two years after hurricane Matthew destroyed their houses many of them are still living in tents and self-made sheds. They are demanding the building of thousands of homes. Colette Lespinasse reports.
Advocacy document for government policies approved
In April, a roadmap, result of a broad national consultation, has been presented and approved, in the presence of more than 300 persons from all over the country. It is a national book of overviews, proposals and strategies that will enable the prime actors to agree on how to use the information to convince the authorities to put in place effective public policies. Colette Lespinasse was present at the presentation.
Can NGOs contribute to the strengthening of small farmers’ agriculture in Haiti?
On Friday March 16, CLIO (Cadre de Liaison Inter-organisations-Haïti) organized a debate about the role of NGOs in strengthening small farmers’ agriculture in Haiti. Colette Lespinasse, representing the Coordination Europe – Haïti, was present and shares her impressions of the meeting.
Plea for a government policy favouring smallholder agriculture in Haiti
October 11, 2017, in the margin of farmer and food related international days, such as World Food Day, a number of Haitian farmer associations and agricultural institutions presented their views on Haitian agriculture, demanding that the new Moise/Lafontant government takes into account the importance and needs of Haiti majority of small farmers. The full document can be downloaded via the link.
Haitian people rebel against national budget
The recent approval by the Haitian parliament of the controversal national budget for the new year is causing waves of rage and protests throughout the nation. Pieter Thys, cooperant of the Belgian NGO Broederlijk Delen explains why the Haitian population is outraged.
More Creole in classrooms
At the start of the new school year, Marcel Catsburg wrote an article about the importance of Creole as language of instruction at the Haitian schools.
Blue helmets or camouflage suits
UN mission MINUSTAH is nearing the end of its mandate, while the government of Haiti is talking about reinstalling the army, sent home twenty years ago. For the Dutch online magazine La Chispa (www.lachispa.eu) Els Hortensius wrote the following analysis.
Which agricultural policy for Haiti?
President Jovenel Moise talks a lot about the agrarian development of Haiti and has already taken some initiatives. But, which is the most appropriate production model for Haiti? And are the small farmers and their needs taken into account? Colette Lespinasse shares her view.
Presidential ‘Caravan for Change’: Haitians between enthusiasm and skepticism
In this article Colette Lespinasse, CoEH representative in Haïti, analyses the ‘Caravane de Changement’ launched by President Jovenel Moïse. Is it reason for enthusiasm, or rather for skepticism?
AGRITRANS and the banana production in Trou du Nord
Here’s a second article about the Agritrans banana plantation. This time, farmers from Trou du Nord give their impressions about the impact of the plantation in their lives.
Human rights
Respect for human rights is key for sustainable development in Haiti. Over the past years the Coordination Europe-Haiti has frequently …
Response CoEH members to hurricane Matthew
Without pretending to be complete, this article presents a brief overview of the programmes supported by our members in response to hurricane Matthew. We hope the information will be of help to members and Haitian organisations alike.
Is the agrarian sector on the right path?
In their monthly newsletter, COEH’s member organisation Collectif Haïti de France published an interesting analysis of the different agrarian sectors in Haiti. From pigs to coffee, sugar and fruit. What is the importance of each sector for the Haitian economy, how are they organized and what projects are being implemented to improve the yield? To find out, please read the article (in French) in November’s newsletter.
Between competition and compliance: NGOs in post-earthquake Haiti
Both national and international NGOs have been very active after the earthquake in 2010. Did they take into account the Paris Principles during their interventions? Naomi Gilhuis wrote her thesis about this.
Our platform expresses profound solidarity with Haitian people
Early October, Haiti has been hit very hard by hurricane Matthew. The Coordination Europe-Haiti expresses its profound solidarity with the families of the victims.
Programme for Engaged Citizenship
Colette Lespinasse, coach of the Programme for Engaged Citizenship, presents the key elements of this programme, which is a contribution of Haitian human rights organisations to the reconstruction of Haiti after the earthquake.
Root causes of Haiti’s vulnerabilty
Marcel Catsburg, senior lecturer in international organisational communication in the Netherlands, analyses the root causes of the crisis in Haiti after the earthquake. For building back better, the fundamental causes of the crisis need to be addressed.
Forum on the Right to Food in Haiti
Pieter Thys, programme officer Broederlijk Delen for capacity building and human rights in Haiti, presents the outcomes of a forum on the right to food at the University of Limonade, 24-25 May 2016, Haiti.
Elections in Haiti not over yet
Els Hortensius, member of our platform’s Steering Committee, gives an update of the electoral process in Haiti.
Electoral irregularities: “serious” or “minor”?
Joris Willems, PhD Student from Ghent University (Belgium), presents his analysis of the EU’s observations of the second round on 25 October. He offers a critique on the permissive attitude of the EU Electoral Observation Mission.
Bio-bananas from Haiti
Greet Schaumans, member of the Steering Committee of the Coordination Europe-Haiti, makes an analysis of the Agritrans project in Trou du Nord, Haiti, which aims at export of bio-bananas.
Haïti, 2016 : ‘Revoting better’ ?
At this time of contested elections, Frédéric Thomas, political scientist and researcher at CETRI, provides arguments why it is now time for ‘revoting better’ in Haiti.
EU and Haiti incapable of maintaining fruitful political dialogue
According to Jean Marcelson Abraham, Haitian with an MA in European Studies, the political dialogue between the EU and Haiti has been non-existent so far.
Engaging local civil society
Sustainable development in Haiti is only possible if public authorities engage with civic initiatives and organisations in Haiti. Their closeness to local communities and individual
Agriculture and food security
Over the years, the Coordination Europe-Haiti has consistently lobbied for strengthening Haiti’s food sovereignty.
1. Political dialogue
The objective of the political dialogue between the EU and the Government of Haiti is to exchange information, to encourage mutual understanding, to define common…
2. Trade and commerce
The economical and commercial collaboration between the EU and Haiti is intended to promote an increasing integration of Haiti into the global economy, while…
3. Development cooperation
The central objective of the cooperation between the EU and Haiti is the reduction, and finally the eradication of poverty, the achievement of sustainable development…
Advocacy activities of the Coordination Europe-Haiti
Sharing information from Haitian civil society with the European Commission and the European External Action Service, Keeping Members of the European…