2 - 3 minutes readEdgard Leblanc’s UN Address Calls for Global Solidarity and Reparations for Haiti

In a powerful address to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2024, the President of Haiti’s Presidential Council of Transition highlighted Haiti’s historical significance as the first Black Republic and its ongoing struggles amidst crises. The speech underscored the resilience of the Haitian people, tracing their fight for freedom and human dignity while calling on the international community to stand in solidarity as Haiti faces political instability, gang violence, economic challenges, and the climate crisis.

Congratulating the newly elected President of the General Assembly, former Cameroonian Prime Minister Filimon Yan, and thanking UN Secretary General António Guterres for his support, the Haitian leader expressed gratitude for international efforts aimed at stabilizing the country. He praised initiatives such as the multinational security support mission led by Kenya, which has shown early progress in combating Haiti’s rampant gang violence. However, he emphasized that much more remains to be done, urging the transformation of this mission into a formal UN peacekeeping operation to secure stable funding and resources.

The address resonated with Civitas International’s recent call to action, echoing their emphasis on human rights and justice for disadvantaged communities worldwide. Drawing parallels to Civitas’s advocacy, the Haitian leader stressed the importance of ensuring that all voices, especially the marginalized, are included in global decision-making, in line with the session’s theme, “Leaving No One Behind.”

The Haitian leader also made a historic appeal for reparations from France, referencing the unjust debt imposed on Haiti in 1825, which severely hampered the nation’s development. This call, he argued, was not for charity but for the moral and historic recognition that would help Haiti escape the economic chains of its colonial past. He noted the exhaustive work done by the National Committee for Restitution and Reparation in collaboration with CARICOM to demand justice for Haiti.

As global conflicts, economic inequality, and climate change pose growing threats, the Haitian leader called for renewed commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. He emphasized that Haiti is not alone in these struggles, urging nations to unify in a collective effort to address global crises. Haiti’s commitment to the Marine Biodiversity Agreement, signed in 2023, was highlighted as an example of its willingness to contribute to global sustainability efforts.

The address concluded with a stirring appeal to global leaders to act with urgency, ensuring that no nation or people are left behind. “History will judge us,” the leader said, “by how we respond to the challenges of our times.” With this in mind, Haiti seeks not just reparations but a future where peace, justice, and human dignity reign for all.

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