Church asks for new U.S. policy on Haitian asylum seekers May 13, 2004 By Elliott Wright*
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UMNS photo by the Rev. David MortonThis Haitian child benefits from the Haiti Hot Lunch Program, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. |
This
Haitian child, shown in a 2003 file photo, benefits from the Haiti Hot
Lunch Program, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries for children at Methodist schools. The hot lunch is often the
only meal the children receive all day. A UMNS photo by the Rev. David
Morton, Photo number W04064, Accompanies UMNS #134, 3/29/04 |
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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