NCC speaks out on crisis in Haiti - National Council of Churches

Christian Century, Nov 3, 1993

Joan Brown Campbell, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, has called on the Clinton administration and the UN to redouble pressure on the military authorities in Haiti and their supporters to stop their violence and cede power to the countrys democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. In a statement issued October 15 Campbell called for "the re-establishment of the rule of law in Haiti and of conditions which enable the return of the constitutional president of Haiti."

Campbell expressed her personal condolences to Aristide as he mourns the loss of Guy Malary, Haiti's minister of justice, who was assassinated October 14 along with two aides in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Campbell also re-emphasized the NCC's commitment to continue working with its ecumenical partners in the region to support victims of the violations of human rights that continue to mark the island nations current situation and to assist in the restoration of democracy.

"The prevailing situation in Haiti continues to be characterized by repression, violence and gross violations of human rights by those in power," Campbell declared in her statement. "Until the source and perpetrators of these abuses are curbed the people of Haiti will continue to suffer misrule, repression and deprivation. Supporting the restoration of constitutional democratic governance must remain the highest priority of the international community, the UN and countries in the region."

Campbell also criticized the withdrawal of the SS Harlan County, which had been sent to Haiti along with a small contingent of U.S. troops to implement Aristide's return to power. The troops were to be deployed as part of agreements signed by Aristide and senior members of Haitis military and known as the Governors Island Accords. The NCC leader urged Clinton to "honor the commitment of the United States to participate in the international peacekeeping operation under UN auspices" and to "cease the current policy of the forcible immediate return of people fleeing from Haiti." Brown also expressed support for sanctions on Haiti and "other specific measures against the military and their support