UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC FORUM ON SITUATION IN HAITI

Press Release
UNU/179

UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC FORUM ON SITUATION IN HAITI

The results of a study jointly undertaken by the Humanitarianism and War Project at Brown University in the United States and the United Nations University (UNU) on the situation in Haiti will be presented at a UNU Public Forum next week. The Forum will take place on Wednesday, 23 October, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Church Center of the United Nations (777 United Nations Plaza). Staff of the United Nations, the Permanent Missions, non- governmental organizations, and the United Nations press, as well as members of the academic community, are invited to attend.

The study -- entitled Haiti Held Hostage: International Responses to the Quest for Nationhood 1986-1996 -- is based on several hundred interviews conducted by a seven-person team earlier this year in Haiti and the United States. It provides a wide-ranging review of events in Haiti and related international actions during the 10-year period following the demise of the Duvalier dictatorship. It assesses the respective contributions of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations; key governments such as the United States and Canada; and humanitarian, development and human rights organizations. The role of the Haitian people at home and in the diaspora is also examined against the backdrop of the election of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the coup that toppled him, the intervention that restored him to power, and the peaceful transition earlier this year to the regime of his elected successor, President René Préval.

Taking part in the Forum will be members of the research team, including Larry Minear, co-director and principal researcher of the Humanitarianism and War Project at Brown University; Robert Maguire, representative for Haiti of the Inter-American Foundation and Haiti programme coordinator for the Georgetown University Caribbean Project; William O'Neill, consultant to the National Coalition for Haitian Rights and former director of the Legal Department of the OAS/United Nations International Civilian Mission in Haiti; and Jacques Fomerand, head of the United Nations University Office in North America.

The Public Forum series of the United Nations University is intended to make available the results of UNU research on issues of relevance to the United Nations system and to stimulate discussion on policy analysis.

Further information may be obtained from: United Nations University, Office in North America, Tel: 212-963-6387; Fax: 212-371-9454; E-mail: unuona@igc.apc.org

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