On the occasion of the commemoration of the assassination of the founding father of the Haitian homeland, Emperor Jean Jacques Dessalines, on October 17, 2022, Defenders Plus invites the citizens of Haiti to reflect on the political conflicts that threaten the national sovereignty and the right to self-determination of the Haitian people. This date, which is also the international day for the fight against poverty, is an opportunity to amplify the fight against social injustice and economic inequality, for which the Emperor was assassinated on October 17, 1806. Living in poverty and extremes Poverty destroys human dignity. It is not a norm to live in poverty or in subhuman conditions. It is a construct based on socio-economic relationships supported by an extroverted political elite.
The international day of the fight against extreme poverty was launched and celebrated for the first time on October 17, 1987 by father Joseph Wresinski, founder of the association ATD Quart Monde in France, to eradicate poverty in the world. The objective of this day is to question the poverty and isolation in which the most deprived people live. It is also an opportunity to allow people living in poverty to make their voices heard through trade union and associative struggles to change their living conditions. In December 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations officially declared October 17 as the date of the international day for the elimination of poverty and the rejection of poverty by resolution 47/146. Since October 17, 1993, this day is celebrated every year all over the world to speak out against poverty and inequality among human beings.

October 17, 2022 marks the 216th year of the assassination of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, one of the architects of our national independence, the bearer of a project of a society of free and equal men and women. The Haitian nation was founded by the conquest of freedom, but today it remains a country in search of peace, security and sovereignty both on the political level and on the food level. Haiti has been known for nearly a century as the poorest country in the American continent. The humanitarian situation of the population is influenced by the evolution of the socio-economic situation in the form of displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, lack of access to basic social services. Moreover, the armed groups fueled by the enemies of the nation make life impossible for Haitians and Haitians under the complicit gaze of the government authorities who have illegitimately and illegally gained power.

The Collective Defenseurs Plus demands from the de facto government, respect for the fundamental rights of citizens. Poverty is not a fatality, it must be learned in every circumstance, the art of creating the space where the dignity of all and all is ensured. Father Joseph declared that “Where men are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated.” To unite to make them respect is a sacred duty. Thus Défenseurs Plus encourages all Haitian citizens and citizens to act for the good of a single people and fight against social injustice in order to have a democratic country where human rights are respected.

Done at Port-au-Prince, on October 17, 2022

Chaina ETIENNE
Director of Programs
Tel: 509 38 92 7055