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Church asks for new U.S. policy on Haitian asylum seekers

 


Church asks for new U.S. policy on Haitian asylum seekers

May 13, 2004

By Elliott Wright*

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
UMNS photo by the Rev. David Morton

This Haitian child benefits from the Haiti Hot Lunch Program, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

PITTSBURGH (UMNS) - The United Methodist Church has asked the U.S. government to change its policy on Haitians seeking political asylum.

The denomination's General Conference passed a resolution May 5 stating that the United States should end the practice of both blocking and detaining Haitian asylum seekers. The resolution cited the unstable and often violent conditions in the Caribbean nation.

The church encouraged Washington to give Haitian asylum seekers full access to the process for seeking asylum and to increase resettlement opportunities in the United States. The United Methodists also asked the U.S. government to assist Haitian asylum seekers who have fled into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti.

"The U.S., by its own admission, is detaining Haitian asylum seekers in order to deter a mass exodus from Haiti and has a policy that is contrary to international law and applies it in a discriminatory fashion," the resolution charged.

The action came as the United Nations struggled to put together an international force to replace some 3,500 troops from the United States, France, Canada and Chile who have been trying to keep the peace since rebels ousted the Haitian government in February.

"We welcome the General Conference resolution," said the Rev. R. Randy Day, top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The agency has a long history of service ministries in Haiti, working with the autonomous Methodist Church of Haiti. "Knowing that the denomination is behind us strengthens our determination to work for justice and peace for the Haitian people."

Before the recent political upheaval, some 700 United Methodists from the United States went to Haiti each year on mission volunteer teams. The teams work with Haitians in building churches, clinics and schools. The Haitian Church has a network of day schools that offer hot lunches funded through gifts from U.S. churches, primarily in Michigan.

According to the United Methodist resolution, Haitian families attempting to enter the United States are separated, with women and men held in jails "in deplorable conditions" alongside criminals. Haitians denied entry into the United States and deported are put at "great risk" when they return to their homeland.

The Haitian resolution was considered and revised in a legislative session and reported to the General Conference as part of a consent calendar, which is not debated on the floor.

*Wright is the information officer for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. News media can contact Tim Tanton at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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