The Haitian Congress for Civic Engagement (PAC) and The Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, an organizational member of The Haitian Diaspora Federation (HDF), recalls that the Parliament must vote the amendment on the dual citizenship before the closure of the 49th Legislature on May 9.

"It is imperative that parliament amend the 1987 Haitian Constitution to grant Haitian citizenship to Haitians who have adopted the citizenship of other nations and to children who are born to a Haitian mother or father. Haiti has lost a number of its sons and daughters who have an immense reservoir of human resources and who can have a considerable economic impact on the country" says Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste, a board member for the Haitian Diaspora Federation and the Haitian Congress.

Judge Jean-Baptiste and a team from the Haitian Congress organized several key events in Haiti this past week. Press conferences were held with members of the Haitian press, radio and television. The group also ran television ads in Haiti and coordinated with Minister Joseph Jasmin, Minister of Public Relations with Parliament, to distribute informational packets on dual citizenship to Haitian Senators. A cocktail event at Karibe engaged citizens and Haitian elected officials such as Senator Steven Benoit, Senate President Kely Bastien, and Deputy Fritz Chery. The Haitian Congress and HDF also spoke at Journée de la Diaspora (Day of the Diaspora) and met several times with Minister Edwin Paraison, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, to rally decision makers around dual citizenship.

As a final call to action, the Haitian Congress appeals to the Haitian Diaspora and those with direct and indirect relationships with Haitian Parliament to reach out and make a final request that the 49th Legislature votes the appropriate amendments into law so that Haiti can reemerge as a thriving nation. Barring prolonged discussions, the amendment is expected to be voted on in four (4) days when the the first session of the 49th Legislature closes on Monday, May 9th.

If dual citizenship is not passed this week, it will be five years before the next opportunity presents itself. The Haitian Diaspora has yearned for this constitutional amendment for years. The Haitian Diaspora Federation and the Haitian Congress must now count on the patriotic spirit of the honorable members of parliament to make dual citizenship a reality for all Haitians.

HL/ HaitiLibre