Resolution on Canada's Relations With The Government And People Of Haiti

Whereas the Government of Canada, Canadian military and police participated in the February 29, 2004 coup that overthrew the elected government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Haiti;

And whereas the former "Interim government" of Haiti stands accused by international human rights organizations of killings and jailing of several thousands of supporters of the ousted government and of failing to provide the basic necessities of life for much of the country's population;

And whereas, the United Nations-sanctioned occupation forces in Haiti, including Canada, aided and abetted the illegal interim government;

Therefore Be It Resolved that the Canadian Peace Alliance call upon the Government of Canada to:

* Demand the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience as designated by Amnesty International, as well as all other political prisoners and illegally detained people;
* Use all possible means to bring an end to killings and jailing by police and occupation forces aimed at the Haitian poor and their social and political movements;
* Convene a formal parliamentary inquiry into the role of Canada since the 2000 election of President Aristide including the role in the 2004 coup in Haiti, including the circumstances surrounding the 2003 "Ottawa Initiative on Haiti" conference and the role of Elections Canada in the illegal and unconstitutional presidential and legislative elections of 2006;
* End the RCMP training of Haitian National Police, and remove all Canadian police and military personnel from Haiti;
* Support the call of the governments of the Caribbean community countries (CARICOM) and the African Union for an investigation into the circumstances of President Aristide's removal;
* Increase development aid to Haiti and ensure that all aid to Haiti be provided via the institutions of the duly elected and sovereign government of that country;
*Support the right of return of President Aristide and all force-exiled Haitian people.


Adopted - November 2006

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