LegiStorm

Summary:

Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, disrespect for human rights, extreme poverty, and underdevelopment. Widespread corruption remains an impediment to changing that legacy. Despite significant progress in improving governance, democratic institutions remain weak and stability fragile. Poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity wide. In proximity to the United States, and with a chronically unstable political environment and fragile economy, Haiti has been an ongoing policy issue for the United States. Many in the U.S. Congress view Haiti's stability with concern and have shown a commitment to improving conditions in the country through continued support for U.S. foreign aid. Haiti has experienced growing instability during the administration of President Jovenel Moïse. Unrest, high rates of inflation, and resurgent gang violence have characterized Moïse's term. The judiciary is conducting ongoing investigations into Moïse's possible involvement in money laundering, irregular loan arrangements, and embezzlement, which the president denies. Haitian Senate and Superior Court of Auditors investigations allege embezzlement and fraud by current and former Haitian officials managing $2 billion in loans from Venezuela's PetroCaribe discounted oil program. Moïse's decision in mid-2018 to end oil subsidies, which would increase prices dramatically, sparked massive protests. Government instability has heightened since May 2019, when a report alleged Moïse had embezzled millions of dollars. Mass demonstrations have continued, calling for an end to corruption, provision of government services, and Moïse's resignation. In the face of increasing ungovernability, a high-level Organization of American States delegation traveled to Haiti in June 2019 to facilitate dialogue to reduce political tensions. Some opposition elements refuse to negotiate with the government, however. To date, the parliament has refused to ratify Moïse's nominee for prime minister, Jean-Michel Lapin, leaving Haiti without a fully functioning government. Tensions may rise around parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 2019. Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, occupying the western third of the island, is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Almost 60% of the country's 10 million people live in poverty, and almost a quarter of them live in extreme poverty. Haiti is still recovering from the devastating 2010 earthquake, as well as Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The latter worsened a process begun by a two-year drought, destroying Haiti's food supply and creating a humanitarian disaster. Haiti also continues to battle a cholera epidemic inadvertently introduced by United Nations peacekeepers in 2010. Nonetheless, according to the State Department, Haiti is transitioning from a post-disaster era to one of reconstruction and long-term development. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) helped restore order from 2004 to October 2017 but was criticized for sexual abuse by some of its forces and for introducing cholera to the country. The U.N. maintains it has diplomatic immunity, but after years of international pressure said it had a "moral responsibility" to the epidemic's victims. The U.N. announced a $400 million plan to fight cholera in Haiti and its intention to support cholera victims; neither program has been fully funded or implemented. MINUSTAH was succeeded by a smaller peacekeeping mission, the U.N. Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), which has focused on rule of law, development of the Haitian National Police (HNP) force, and human rights. In October 2019, a political mission, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), is scheduled to replace MINUJUSTH to help Haiti plan and carry out elections and reinforce the HNP through training on human rights, among other duties. Since MINUSTAH's departure, the HNP have had primary responsibility for domestic security. Moïse reinstituted the army, raising concerns about the potential for the army to engage in internal repression, as it had in the past. According to the State Department, U.S. policy toward Haiti is designed to foster the institutions and infrastructure needed to achieve strong democratic foundations and meaningful poverty reduction through sustainable development. The Trump Administration requested $145.5 million for aid to Haiti for FY2020. The Administration planned to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians as of July 22, 2019. Two U.S. courts issued preliminary injunctions against the decision, however, so TPS designation for Haiti remains in effect pending further court orders.