Support Haiti’s Demand For Restitution And Reparations!
Email the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. to demand that the French government take immediate, meaningful steps towards repaying the debt owed to Haiti. Send your message to the French Embassy at this link. In the “Topic” field, scroll down to select “Message to the Ambassador.” Then copy and paste your message into the “Message” field. Use the template below and feel free to tweak or change as you see fit.
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I am writing to you as someone deeply aware of the historical injustices that have shaped the nation of Haiti and its people. On the 200th anniversary of the indemnity that Haiti was forced to pay France in 1825, I urge you to meet Haiti’s demand for restitution and reparations. The debt France imposed on Haiti has devastated its economy and society, hindering the nation’s development for generations. This racist ransom, made in the aftermath of Haiti’s struggle for freedom, not only perpetuated economic hardship but also deepened social and political challenges that the Haitian people continue to face.
In 1825, French warships surrounded Port-au-Prince to enforce their demand for reparations from Haiti. This action was a direct consequence of Haiti’s struggle for independence, culminating in 1804, which had successfully challenged French colonial rule and ended slavery. France forced Haiti to compensate for what it claimed as lost property, including enslaved people and plantations. Haiti became the only country in which the formerly enslaved had to pay reparations to their former slaveholders.
The blockade and subsequent demands from France have had devastating consequences for Haiti. The financial burden imposed on the country was enormous, significantly crippled the nascent nation’s economy. In fact, according to the New York Times, the actual payments, adjusting for inflation and the interest that Haiti had to pay on loans from French and U.S. banks, amounted to as much as $115 billion. The payment forced Haiti into a cycle of debt that stifled economic development for decades, leading to severe poverty.
In 2003, the Haitian government, led by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, courageously demanded restitution, detailing the significant impact of this historic injustice. In response, the French government helped organize a coup d’etat against the progressive Aristide government, sending Haiti into a downward spiral that continues today.
Today, as people worldwide rally behind Haiti’s call for justice, it is evident that there is a growing consensus that reparations are not merely about financial compensation; they are essential to right a historical wrong.
I demand that the French government take immediate, meaningful steps towards repaying the debt owed to Haiti. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to a response that demonstrates a commitment to justice.