For Immediate Release: July 7, 2021
Contact: Heather Cabral | 202-550-6880 | hcabral@faithinaction.org
Faith in Action International urges President Biden to support civil society and faith-based organizations struggling for human rights and a transition back to democracy
HAITI – With Haitians on-edge following the overnight killing of former President Jovenel Moïse, Faith in Action International, a network of Faith in Action with affiliates in Haiti and Haitian diaspora communities in the U.S., has issued the following statement by Francois Pierre-Louis, Haiti Director of Faith in Action International:
“The cold-blooded coordinated assassination of Jovenel Moïse and attempt to kill his wife Martine Moïse is a shock to the conscience of the world.
“As an international faith-based network with deep ties to faith leaders and communities in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora, Faith in Action joins millions around the world in praying for the wellbeing of the people of Haiti, who woke up this morning to yet another threat to their lives and society. We offer our support and solidarity.
“The killing of Moïse must serve as a wake-up call to President Biden and the leaders of other countries who supported him to change their policy toward Haiti. It is long past time for the U.S. and the international community to squarely switch its allegiances from Haitian elites to the Haitian people.
“In this moment of crisis, President Biden must not use U.S. power and leverage to manipulate Haitian politics and hand-pick another corrupt elite without popular credibility to rule the country. The U.S. must engage trusted civil society and faith leaders and support their efforts to protect human rights and revitalize the long Haitian tradition of self-determination and self-governance.
“We pledge our continued support to the valiant grassroots leaders from OPODNE in communities across Northeast Haiti who have stepped into the void left by the government and organized effective COVID prevention campaigns as well as economic development cooperatives, micro-lending projects, and community improvement activities. They are modelling the kind of local leadership that the entire country deserves.
“We also urge the Biden Administration to move forward with plans to send life-saving vaccines directly to Haiti.
“As Haiti faces challenging days ahead, we call on all people of goodwill and moral courage to stand with the Haitian people and press the U.S. government and the international community to do the same.”
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Faith in Action International is a global network that enables those who are most vulnerable and exploited to build political and economic power to better their lives, communities, and societies. Faith in Action supports grassroots organizing and community-led development through affiliates in Haiti, Central America, and Rwanda. For more information visit www.faithinactioninternational.org.
Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
