Foreign policy chief urged to support democracy and aid accountability

The Coordination Europe-Haiti (CoEH), a platform of 15 European NGOs and CSOs, has written toCatherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC following increasing concerns about the deterioration of the political situation in Haiti.

The HSG which is an active member of the CoEH raised these concerns with the Platform which sent a letter that urges the EU to

– raise with the Haitian government its concerns about the recent wave of violence, which includes the perceived targeted assassinations of figures seen as critical of the government, intimidation of journalists and parliamentarians and to

– support a reconstruction process which is led by the Haitian government (as opposed to any successor of the failed Interim Haiti Recovery Commission), whilst insisting on proper accountability for aid spending to its citizens and international donors.

In that context the letter urges the EU to be more open about the aid it (as Haiti’s largest international donor) is giving in budget support to the Haitian government.

The letter can be downloaded here in both English and French.

The HSG understands that a matrix of success indicators for budget support is being negotiated between the World Bank, the EU and the Haitian government. These negotiations have stalled due to the resignation of Prime Minister Conille in February, but we are urging that progress be made and an effective mechanism is put in place to hold the Haitian government to account.

We will report on Ms Ashton’s response and continue our work to ensure that EU aid meets the real needs to the poor majority in Haiti.