On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, during the Regular Session of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Representative of Haiti, Haitian Ambassador Gandy Thomas, spoke on the issue of "People of African Descent : Recognition, Justice and Sustainable Development", included in the Agenda

Speech by Ambassador Gandy Thoma s:

"[....] Mr. President,

My delegation is pleased to see the issue of 'People of African Descent : Recognition, Justice and Sustainable Development' included in the agenda of this session of the Permanent Council. We would like to thank the Permanent Mission of Colombia for taking the initiative for this important session. Allow me also to congratulate the distinguished panelists for their enlightening interventions on this topic, which is particularly crucial for my country, Haiti.

Mr. President,

The inhumane trade of African captives to the Americas, particularly to Saint-Domingue, remains one of the greatest genocides in human history. Even in the 18th century, those who still supported the slave trade were aware, to some extent, that this trade deeply violated human and moral principles.

The Haitian Revolution of 1804, by marking an irreversible rupture in the global slave order, lit the flame of freedom, a flame that has ignited not only Haiti but the entire world, particularly the continent that we proudly represent within the OAS. Slavery has rightly been recognized as a crime against humanity, a recognition reinforced by legislation such as the Taubira Act of 2001 in France.

The Founding Fathers of Haiti, in a spirit of revolutionary solidarity, supported the leaders of sister nations in their struggle against colonialism and for political emancipation. In return, Haiti asked for only one thing: the abolition of slavery wherever the ideals of liberty and justice would be promulgated. It is in this spirit that Pan-Americanism found its roots.

Mr. President,

For centuries, people of African descent have been systematically marginalized due to the lingering legacy of slavery and colonialism. Structural racism and racial discrimination have deprived them of many aspects of public life, plunging them into poverty and often into statistical 'invisibility', despite their considerable demographic weight. As highlighted in the resolution recently adopted by this Council, more than 200 million people of African descent live in the Americas, representing nearly one-third of the regional population. This resolution rightly recognizes their crucial role in the conservation of biological diversity.

Although progress has been made, inequalities remain deep. Recent events in the Americas reveal that the fight against structural racism and discriminatory behavior is far from over. This racism, often subtle, infiltrates the highest levels of the State, fueling hate speech and threatening the security of Afro-descendant populations.

The resolution we have adopted reaffirms that approximately 200 million people who identify as Afro-descendants live in our hemisphere. Whether these individuals are descendants of slaves or migrants, they are among the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. Following the example of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, it is fundamental to recognize that racial diversity is an asset for our societies. Any form of racial discrimination is an aberration that must be rejected in the strongest possible terms.

Mr. President,

The recognition of this topic on the agenda gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contribution of Afro-descendants to the development of the great nations of the West. However, we must also question their current situation, particularly in the Americas. It is well established that discriminatory behaviors are directly linked to the persistence of poverty. Today, more than two-thirds of Afro-descendants in the Americas still live below the poverty line.

The factors of this poverty are essentially structural. Unequal access to essential services, such as education, health, credit and modern technologies, remains an overwhelming reality. Our States have a responsibility to strengthen programs to combat poverty, taking into account the specific needs of people of African descent. The Convention on Biological Diversity calls for the allocation of financial resources to achieve its objectives. It would be right for our States, in recognizing the contribution of Afro-descendants to the preservation of biodiversity, to also force financial mechanisms to support their emancipation, including helping them escape poverty.

The legacy of Jean-Jacques Dessalines reminds us that the fight for justice and recognition of Afro-descendants is far from over. We have a duty to continue this mission, by fighting exclusion and strengthening the inclusion of Afro-descendants in the benefits of sustainable development.

Thank you."

HL/ HaitiLibre