Get the United Nations “peacekeepers” out of Haiti.
August 14, 2011
Please urge Congressman Larson (who is your U.S. Representative?) to work for the removal of MINUSTAH from Haiti as soon as possible
The video is profoundly disturbing. It shows four men, identified as troops from the UN mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), seemingly in the act of raping an 18-year-old Haitian youth. ABC News reports that a navy lieutenant has confirmed the authenticity of the video.
The incident is likely to pour more gasoline on the fire of resentment that Haitians have for the UN troops who have occupied their country for more than seven years. There has been a dire pattern of abuses:
· in December 2007, more than 100 UN soldiers from Sri Lanka were deported under charges of sexual abuse of under-age girls.
· In 2005, UN troops went on the rampage in Cité Soleil, one of the poorest areas in Port-au-Prince, killing as many as 23 people, including children, according to witnesses.
Make no mistake about it: the UN occupation of Haiti is really a US occupation. It was sent there in 2004 after a US-led effort toppled Haiti's democratically elected government. Recent WikiLeaks cables confirm that the US government sees MINUSTAH as an instrument of its policy there.
There is no legitimate reason for a military mission of the United Nations in Haiti.
· The country has no civil war.
· Haiti is not the subject of a peace-keeping or post-conflict agreement.
· It is now virtually certain that MINUSTAH brought the cholera bacteria to Haiti that has killed more than 6,000 Haitians and infected more than 400,000 in the last 10 months. This was an act of gross negligence:
And the fact that UN troops are immune from prosecution or legal action in Haiti encourages abuses. The occupying troops don't speak the language either, which severely limits their capacity for any positive security role.
How long can MINUSTAH be allowed to continue to occupy and abuse Haiti?
To call:
1. Call 202–224‑3553 and select the option to leave a comment or speak to a staffer.
2. Whether you speak to the staffer in person, or just leave a message, here’s what to say:
“My name is ___________ and I am a resident of __________.
I am calling to urge Representative ___________ to use his/her leadership to garner support for a the removal of UN peacekeepers from Haiti.
4. If you are speaking to the staff person be sure to thank them for their time and ask them for the Congressman’s position on Haiti in general and MINUSTAH in particular.
In just few minutes, you can help support progress in Haiti! Thank you for your time and help.
Please let us know what response(s) you receive from your Congressman. Thank you.
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