REPORT Nº 28/93

                                                      CASE 10.675

                                                    UNITED STATES

                     DECISION OF THE COMMISSION AS TO THE ADMISSIBILITY(*)

                                                 October 13, 1993(*)

 

 

 

          I.        BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON WHY HAITIANS FLEE THEIR COUNTRY:

 

          1.       Both prior to and since the 1986 fall of the Duvalier dictatorship, the Haitian people have suffered from a systematic and pervasive pattern of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the military and paramilitary forces under the authority of a series of military dominated governments.   These governments have ruthlessly repressed dissent and sabotaged the electoral process on several occasions.  Democratic government and the rule of law are in eclipse.  Under the Duvalier dictatorship, political opponents of the government were regularly disappeared, tortured, and killed; freedom of speech and assembly were arbitrarily denied and labor unions and peasant organizations systematically suppressed.  The Tonton Macoutes, an approximately 50,000 nation-wide armed paramilitary corps, in the service of the dictatorship, intimidated, assaulted, tortured, and assassinated real and perceived opponents of Duvalier.

 

          2.       After an on-site visit to Haiti in August 1988, this Commission issued its findings, which are summarized as follows:

 

          i.        The result of the almost three year old democratization process has been the entrenchment of the military in power.

 

          ii.       Numerous arbitrary killings of a politically motivated nature have occurred during the period under consideration.  The politically-motivated nature of the violence is evidenced by the fact that it can be turned on and off by the military authorities.  The failure of the military to investigate and punish anyone responsible for these death-squad like killings has been a matter of continuing concern to the Commission, and leads it to conclude that these death squads function because of the impunity granted to them by the military.

 

           iii.       The military regime, by means of the coup d'etat, attempted to nullify the 1987 Constitution, which was massively approved by popular referendum on March  29, 1987.  The use of force by the military to thwart the will of the people is condemned by democratic nations and the respective instruments of international law.

 

          iv.      All fundamental human rights in Haiti are under serious strain, limited by the Army's monopoly over the use of force.  The Army, functioning as a police force, does not serve to protect Haiti from external threats to its security, it functions to repress those persons or groups who attempt to change the deplorable conditions under which the majority of Haitians live. (Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti, IACHR, OAS, 1988, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.74, Doc.9 rev.1, pp.5-6, paragraphs 16(3), 16(5), 16(6), and 16(7).)

 

          3.       This persistent pattern of human rights abuses, and continuing cycle combined with the extreme poverty attributable to the policies of the dictatorship, compelled the flight of thousands of Haitian refugees who risked their lives (many have drowned) to flee Haiti in small, frail boats, seeking a safe haven in the United States and other countries.

 

          II.       ALLEGATIONS IN PETITION DATED OCTOBER 1, 1990:

 

          1.       On October 1, 1990, the petitioners filed a complaint against the United States Government's Haitian Migrant Interdiction Program.  The petition was filed on behalf of the Petitioning Organizations: Haitian Centre For Human Rights, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti; Centre Karl Leveque, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti; the National Coalition For Haitian Refugees, New York, N.Y., U.S.A.; the Haitian Refugee Center, Inc., Miami, Florida, U.S.A.; the Haitian Centers Council, New York, N.Y., U.S.A.; the Haitian-Americans United For Progress, Cambria Heights, U.S.A., the Washington Office on Haiti, and unnamed Haitian nationals who have been and are being returned to Haiti against their will and in violation of international law by agents of the United States government following "interdiction" of their vessels on the high seas by the Untied States Coast Guard.

 

          2.       The petition alleges that the Haitian boat people have been and continue to be interdicted and returned to Haiti pursuant to (a) the Haitian Migrant Interdiction Program established by Proclamation 4865 and Executive Order 12324 issued by President Ronald Reagan on September 29, 1981, and (b) a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Administration and the Duvalier regime entered on September 23, 1981, through an exchange of diplomatic notes.

 

          3.       It further alleges that many of these boat people had a reasonable fear that they would be persecuted if returned to Haiti, but were denied a proper forum and processing procedures for resolution of their claims.  This denial is in violation of the U.S. Government's obligation not to return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of a territory where his or her life or freedom would be threatened on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  That despite promises made by the Haitian government (in diplomatic exchange of letters) that returnees would not be punished for leaving Haiti, boat people involuntarily interdicted and returned by the United States Government have been routinely detained upon their return to Haiti.

 

          4.       On May 7th, 8th, and 13th, 1990, forty-three (43) returnees, including some Haitians who had been detained in Immigration and Naturalization Service's (INS) Krome Detention Center in Miami, Florida, were immediately arrested by Haitian military authorities upon their arrival in Port-au-Prince.  They were held in the National Penitentiary, some for longer than one week, before being released.  On June 5th, 1990, another group of thirty-one (31) Haitians deported from Krome were arrested upon arrival in Haiti, and they allege that they were told that their whereabouts would thereafter be closely monitored by the Government.  Military authorities stated that at least 16 of the group were boat people.  The Petitioning Organizations are informed and believe that boat people who departed in whole or in part because their lives or freedom were threatened almost always face an even greater threat following their interdiction and forcible return to the military authorities in Haiti.  The affidavit of a dissident involved in organizing demonstrations against the military regime in Haiti states that in 1987, after he decided it was too dangerous to remain in Haiti, he fled but was interdicted and returned to Haiti by the Coast Guard.  He declares that:

 

          "The immigration inspector who interviewed me declared that since there was a new government, they will return me to Haiti.  They refused to admit that I had good reasons to leave Haiti and that death threats were still hanging on my head...Since my return to Haiti I have been forced to move from house to house, never sleeping in the same place in order to ensure that the Army never learns of my whereabouts and arrests me."

 

          5.       The petition further alleges that Haitians, still flee their country in large numbers, just as they did while President-for-Life Duvalier ruled the country.  That even as the U.S. Department of State and human rights organizations report that widespread politically motivated killing, torture, and arbitrary arrests continue in Haiti, the interdiction program continues unabated.  In the 12-month period following the bloody outcome of the November of 1987, elections, when reportedly 500 civilians died as a result of political violence perpetrated by the Haitian Army and the Tonton Macoutes, interdictions continued.   That of the 1,000 Haitian boat people interdicted during that time, not one was brought to the United States and granted political asylum.

 

          6.       That on September 29th, 1981, President Reagan stated that, "having found that the entry of undocumented aliens, arriving at the borders of the United States from the high seas, is detrimental to the interests of the United States," proclaimed that "the entry of undocumented aliens from the high seas is hereby suspended and shall be prevented by the interdiction of certain vessels carrying such aliens." (Presidential Proclamation 4865 of September 29., 1981, FR 28829, 46 Fed Reg.48,107, reprinted in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1182 app. at 820 (Supp. V. 1981)(hereinafter "Proclamation 4865").  According to this Proclamation it was alleged by the United states Government, that the migration of undocumented immigrants arriving by sea had reached significant proportions by 1981 "which severely strained the law enforcement resources of the INS" and "threatened the welfare and safety of communities" in the southeastern United States. (Proclamation 4865.)  However, according to government figures at the inception of the interdiction program, Haitians made up only 2% of all undocumented migrants in the United States. (Refugee Refoulement: The Forced Return of Haitians under the U.S.-Haitian Interdiction Agreement, Report of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, February, 1990, p.17, hereinafter "Refugee Refoulement.")

 

          7.       In issuing the Proclamation, the President relied for his authority on Sections 212(f) and 215(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act("INA"). INA Sec. 212(f) provides that: "Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.  "Sec. 215(a)(1) provides that: "When the United States is at war or during the existence of any national emergency proclaimed by the President...and the President shall find that the interests of the United States require that restrictions and prohibitions... be imposed upon the departure of persons from and their entry into the United States...it shall until otherwise ordered by the President or the Congress, be unlawful...for any alien to depart from or enter the United States except under such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may prescribe."

 

          8.       On September 29th, 1981, the President also issued  Executive Order 12324, (FR Doc.81-28829, 46 Fed Reg.48,109, reprinted in 8 U.S.C.Sec.1182 app.at 819-20, Supp.V. 1981, hereinafter, "Exec.Order 12324.) directing the Secretary of State to enter into "cooperative arrangements with appropriate foreign governments for the purpose of preventing illegal migration to the United States by the sea."  On September 23rd, 1981, the United States and the Duvalier dictatorship entered into such an arrangement pursuant to an exchange of diplomatic letters between Ernest Preeg, U.S.Ambassador to Haiti, and Edouard Francisque, Haitian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. (T.A.I.S.No.10,241, hereinafter "Exchange of Letters.")  The agreement states in part that:

 

          "Having regard to the need for international cooperation regarding law enforcement measures taken with respect to vessels on the high seas and the international obligations mandated in the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York 31st January 1967, the United States government confirms with the government of the Republic of Haiti its understanding of the following points of the agreement."

 

          9.       The Haitian Government agreed to "stop the clandestine migration of numerous residents of Haiti to the United States" in return for a promise by the United States to assist the Haitian Government with the enforcement of its emigration laws.  In addition, Haiti authorized United States authorities to board Haitian flag vessels on the high seas and make certain inquiries regarding the condition and destination of such vessels and the status of those on board.  The petition further alleges that none of the boats which the Haitians use fly the Haitian flag, in fact, they expressly disclaim Haitian registry and sovereignty.  The agreement further provided that if the Coast Guard determines that the vessel is bound for the United States, the vessel and the persons aboard may be returned to Haiti, and the United States further agreed to the presence of a representative of the Haitian Navy aboard any United States vessel engaged in the Haitian interdiction program.

 

          10.     The agreement also provided that it is "understood that the United States, having regard for its international obligations pertaining to refugees, does not intend to return to Haiti any Haitian migrants the United States determines qualify for refugee status." The Government of Haiti assured the United States "that Haitians returned to their country and who are not traffickers in illegal migration will not be subject to prosecution for illegal departure." (Exchange of Letters.)

 

          11.     It is further alleged in the petition that until 1986, only a very small percentage of follow-up interviews were conducted by U.S. Embassy personnel to ascertain whether the returnees had been punished for leaving Haiti illegally.  Such interviews were discontinued after President Duvalier's overthrow on the recommendation of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, the Embassy stating that "any legitimate expectation that persecution might occur...was removed when the National Governing Council succeeded President Duvalier and immediately made several key changes in Haiti's human rights policy, most notably the dissolution of the Tonton Macoutes militia." (Refugee Refoulement, p.22-23, relating interview with Michael Bajek, Second Secretary, United States Embassy, Port au Prince, Haiti, December 14, 1989; see also U.S. Embassy, Port au Prince telegram, "Terminating of HMIO follow up program," June 26, 1986 at p.1.)

 

          12.     Executive Order 12324 also directed the Secretary of Transportation to order the Coast Guard to interdict "any defined vessel carrying Haitian aliens." (Note 13.)  The "defined vessel includes vessels from foreign nations" with which the United States has arrangements authorizing it to board such vessels -- i.e. vessels from Haiti.  The Secretary of Transportation was also ordered to direct the Coast Guard to "return the vessel and its passengers to the country from which it came, when there is reason to believe that an offense is being committed against the United States immigration laws, or appropriate laws of a foreign country with which we have an arrangement to assist."

 

          13.     The Executive Order further provided that "no person who is a refugee will be returned without his consent" and that "the Attorney General, in consultation with the secretaries of State and Transportation shall take appropriate steps to ensure the fair enforcement of our laws relating to immigration and the strict observance of our international obligations concerning those who genuinely flee persecution in their homeland." (Executive Order 12324.)

 

          14.     It is further alleged that to implement the arrangement with Haiti, agents of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) were assigned to the Coast Guard vessels engaged in the interdiction program.  The INS promulgated unpublished, informal guidelines setting forth the procedures to be followed during the interdiction operations. (Immigration and Naturalization Service, INS Role in and Guidelines for Interdiction at Sea, October 6, 1981.)  The guidelines provide that "if it is deemed safe and practicable within the opinion of the commanding Coast Guard officer," each person aboard the interdicted Coast Guard vessel shall be interviewed to determine his or her name, nationality, documentation and reason for leaving Haiti.

 

          15.     The petition further states that this policy actually places in the discretion of a Coast Guard officer the initial decision as to whether the interdictees will be interviewed at all to determine refugee status.  The INS officials assigned to the vessels have responsibility for ensuring that: "the United States is in compliance with its obligations regarding actions towards refugees, including the necessity of being keenly attuned during any interdiction program to any evidence which may reflect an individual's well founded fear of persecution by his or her country of origin for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion."(Guidelines p.1.)

 

          16.     The Guidelines further provide that "INS officers shall be constantly watchful for any indication (including bare claims) that a person or persons on board the interdicted vessel may qualify as refugees under the United Nations Convention and Protocols."  If there is such indication, INS officials shall conduct a second interview, "out of hearing of the other person," and keep "individual records" or all interviews regarding possible qualification for refugee status.  If the interview suggests that a legitimate claim to refugee status exists, the person involved shall be removed form the interdicted vessel, and his or her passage to the United States shall be arranged. (Guidelines p.3.)

 

          17.     The petitioners allege that since the inception of the program, over 361 boats carrying 21,461 Haitians have been intercepted, and only six Haitians have been allowed to come to the U.S. to file asylum claims.  To the best of their knowledge, only one vessel was taken to Port-au-Prince and turned over to the authorities.  All the others were destroyed as "hazards to health and navigation" by the U.S. Coast Guard. (Refugee Refoulement, p.32.) According to interviews with Haitian returnees conducted by the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights: "the interviews may not be conducted so as to elicit an indication of refugee status.  The interviews may not be private; the Haitians may be hungry, are definitely ill-at-ease and have no idea why they are being asked questions." (Refoulement, p.37.)

 

          18.     It is further alleged that the initial interviews last only a few minutes, during which the examiner asks approximately eight basic questions concerning sex, name, place of birth, date of birth, address, reason for leaving, fear of return.  The interviews are not private, but held within eyesight and sometimes within the hearing of other Haitian passengers.  There are no independent observers from, for example, the office of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees to witness the interviews in order to ensure that principles of non-refoulement (non-return) are followed.  When former U.S. Congressman Claude Pepper, and a group of Miami community leaders asked the U.S. Justice Department to be allowed to board one of the Coast Guard cutters and witness the interdiction program to ensure the refugees were given due process, the group's request was denied.

 

          19.     On  October 3rd, 1991 the petitioners submitted an "Emergency Application For Provisional OAS Action To Halt The United States' Policy Of Interdicting And Deporting Haitian Refugees."(Emergency Application) The Emergency Application states that both the United States Government and Petitioners have filed statements regarding the admissibility of the Petition.  It further states that during the pendency of the petition filed before the Commission on October 1, 1990, in the above case, the United States Government has continued interdicting Haitian asylum seekers and expelling those who entered the United States.

 

          20.     It states that the allegation that the interdiction policy deprives Haitians of a fair opportunity to articulate and substantiate claims to political asylum is concretely established by the results of the program.  That an interdicted Haitian's likelihood of being considered to possess a legitimate claim is approximately .005%.  A Haitian who avoids interdiction and arrives in the United States has at least a 5% chance of being considered to possess a legitimate asylum claim.  The strength of the asylum claims does not suddenly change once Haitian boat people get around the interdiction program -- instead, what changes is the opportunity to be heard.

 

          21.     It further alleges that when the military brutally seized power in Haiti on September 30, 1991, the democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was forced to leave the country.  Because of these events, the United States Government cannot possibly now guarantee the physical integrity of Haitians it interdicts or deports.  Given the complete breakdown of social and political order in Haiti, the Haitian Migrant Interdiction Program and the deportation of Haitians from the United States to Haiti now represent a serious violation of The American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man.

 

          22.     On February  6th, 1992, the petitioners filed an "Emergency Application for Provisional OAS Action to Halt the United States Government's Policy of Returning Haitian Refugees Interdicted since the Military Coup of September, 30, 1991."  It alleges that during the pendency of the petition, the United States Government has maintained its policy of interdicting Haitian asylum seekers and expelling those who enter the United States.  This process has continued despite the brutal and violent military coup in Haiti on September 30, 1991, which ousted democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and plunged Haiti into a cycle of political violence which has claimed over 1,500 lives.

 

          23.     That responding to the escalating violence in Haiti and a previous Emergency Application filed in this case on October 3, 1991, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS), on October 4, 1991, sent a cablegram to the United States Secretary of State, James A. Baker III, urging that the United States immediately cease its policy of interdicting and deporting Haitian refugees, pending the restoration of lawful order in Haiti.  That the cablegram stated in part: (The IACHR urges that) for humanitarian reasons (the United States Government) suspend its policy of interdiction of Haitian nationals who are attempting to seek asylum in the United States and are being sent back to Haiti, because of the danger to their lives, until the situation in Haiti has been normalized.  To the best of the petitioners' knowledge, the United States Government has ignored this request altogether.

 

          24.     That it is concretely established that the maintenance of the interdiction program despite the coup has deprived Haitians fleeing the military junta of a fair opportunity to articulate and substantiate claims of political asylum.  According to information provided to petitioners' counsel in a telephone conversation with a INS Press Officer on February 5th, 1992, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) estimates that since November of 1991, 15,081 Haitians have been interdicted.  That historically only 1.8% of those Haitians permitted to present asylum claims, will actually be given asylum.  See Refugee Reports, Vo. XII, No. 12, Dec. 30, 1991 at 12.)

 

          25.     That this figure appears very low to international human rights groups and concerned nongovernmental organizations, which have reported over 1,500 deaths, 300 arrests, and a wholesale persecution of the pro-Aristide movement which has forced over 200,000 people into hiding.  See Haiti, The Human Rights Tragedy: Human Rights Violations since the Coup, Amnesty International, January 1992 at 5-6.  Human rights groups estimate that the number of Haitians with colorable claims to asylum is closer to 60 or 70% of those interdicted, roughly five times higher than the number of interdicted Haitians permitted by INS to enter the United States to seek asylum.  See Haitian Refugees: Current Facts and Prevailing Law, San Francisco Lawyer's Committee for Urban Affairs, Feb. 3, 1992 at 2 n.1.

 

          26.     That the interdiction program's failure to accurately evaluate asylum claims is easily explained.  According to sworn declarations on file in the case of Haitian Refugee Center v. Baker, No 91-2635-CIV-Atkins (C.D.Fla. 1991),  INS personnel interview the Haitian interdictees while they are sick, exhausted and malnourished; the interviews routinely last only a few minutes, much of which is taken up in translation; the interviewers are often hostile, fail to identify themselves or their purpose, and refuse to follow up on explanations of political persecution; and some interviewers have told the interdictees that no matter what they say, they will be returned to Haiti.

 

          27.     That numerous interdictees, including several of the plaintiffs in Haitian Refugee Center v. Baker, have been designated for summary return to Haiti despite their claims that as a result of their political activities they were targeted for persecution by the police or military after the coup.     This failure to fairly evaluate Haitian asylum claims is nothing new.  The New York based Lawyers Committee for Human Rights reported in 1990, that "the interdiction program is part of a pattern of discrimination practiced against Haitians by the U.S. Government since the late 1970's.  Through improper screening and arbitrary detention, the Government has consistently demonstrated its bias against Haitians."  Refugee Refoulement: The Forced Return of Haitians under the U.S.-Haitian Interdiction agreement, Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights (March 1990).

 

          28.     That despite the entirely inadequate screening of interdicted Haitians, and the obvious inability of the United States Government to reasonably ensure the safety of Haitians interdicted and repatriated, the United States Supreme Court ruled on January 31, 1992, that Haitian interdictees may be forcibly returned to Haiti.  Since then, over 380 Haitians have been returned, and the Government plans to return the rest as soon as possible.  See the New York Times, Feb. 2, 1992, at A1 col.3.          Given the ongoing violence in Haiti, the inability of the interdiction program (or the refusal of those implementing it) to fairly identify those with legitimate claims of asylum, and the inability of the United States Government to meaningfully ensure that the Haitians returned will not be harmed, the Haitian Interdiction Program represents a serious violation of several provisions of international law.  (Articles allegedly violated listed in part III of this report).

 

          29.     On February 11th, 1992, the Commission received a Supplemental Filing in support of the Emergency Application filed by the petitioners on February 6th, 1992. They allege that the United Nations officers conducted four interviews at the United States Governments' Naval base in Guantanamo, and that the interviews allegedly removed all doubt that Haitian interdictees forcibly repatriated by the United States Government have been, and will be brutalized by the military government upon their return to Haiti.  The petitioners allege that government soldiers were present at the docks when the interdictees were repatriated, and asked for the names and addresses of repatriated interdictees after they had been processed by the Haitian Red Cross.  

 

          30.     That later many of the repatriated interdictees were arrested at home.  Some never made it home and were arrested at pre-established roadblocks.  Several of those arrested were later found shot to death.  Some were beaten in public by the military, which forced people, at gunpoint, to identify the repatriated Haitians.  Others were taken to the National Penitentiary where they were beaten daily and not fed, and some were tortured to death in prison.  Detainees were told by at least one prison guard that they were being tortured for having fled Haiti, and that others would suffer the same fate.  Others were informed that a local judge had issued arrest warrants for repatriated interdictees because they had left Haiti and criticized the military government.

 

          III.      THE PETITIONERS REQUEST THAT:

 

          1.       With regard to the Petition, dated October 1st, 1990, that the Commission resolve:

 

          (i)       To seek immediate, interim relief from the United States Government in the form of temporary suspension of the Haitian Migrant Interdiction Program while the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights takes the present Petition under advisement;

 

          (ii)      To declare that the Haitian Migrant Program constitutes a serious violation of Articles XXVII (the right to asylum,) XXIV(the right to petition) and XVIII (right to effective remedy) of The American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man;

 

          (iii)     To declare that the Haitian Migrant Interdiction Program constitutes a violation of the human rights instruments listed herein protecting human rights in the Inter-American system as well as customary international law;

                  

          (iv)     To require that the United States Government terminate the interdiction program because it constitutes a violation of internationally recognized human rights binding on the United States, or, if such relief is denied, in the alternative to insist that the United States Government implement policies and procedures which ensure that the program will provide access and equal protection of the laws in the presentation and consideration of their claim to persecution and requests for asylum.

 

          2.       With regard to their Emergency Application for Provisional OAS Action to Halt the United States' Policy of Interdicting and Deporting Haitian Refugees, filed October 3rd, 1991, the petitioners respectfully urge that the Commission, pursuant to its powers under Article 29.2 of the Regulations  of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights:

 

          (i)       Immediately take provisional measures to seek a temporary halt to the United States Government's returning interdicted Haitians to Haiti and deporting Haitians present in the United States. Such action should remain in effect pending the restoration of lawful order in Haiti and the subsiding of the grave personal danger that now faces all Haitians from random and state-sponsored violence.

 

          ii)       To communicate to the United States Secretary of State, James A. Baker III, requesting that the United States Government immediately suspend the interdiction and return to Haiti of Haitians and the deportation of Haitians from the United States to Haiti pending the restoration of circumstances which allow for the Haitians to return without reasonably fearing for their personal safety.

 

          3.       With regard to the Emergency Application to Halt the United States' Return of Interdicted Haitian Nationals, filed February 6th, 1992, the petitioners request that the Commission resolve:

 

          (i)       To seek interim relief from the United States Government in the form of an immediate temporary suspension of the forcible repatriation of Haitian nationals pursuant to the Haitian Migrant Interdiction Program pending the restoration of lawful order in Haiti.

 

          (ii)      That if the United States Government refuses to suspend forcible repatriations of interdicted Haitian nationals, to urge that it assists the interdictees in the preparation of requests for political asylum.

 

          (iii)     That if the United States Government refuses to suspend forcible repatriations of interdicted Haitians, to permit them a reasonable opportunity to apply for entry into third countries prior to their forcible return to Haiti.

 

          (iv)     That if the United States Government refuses to suspend forcible repatriations of interdicted Haitians, to permit them a full and fair opportunity to present and have recorded their claims for asylum, to have such claims reviewed and decided in a competent, objective and non-discriminatory manner, and to receive reasonable explanations of the basis for the decisions in their cases.

 

          (v)      To declare that the forcible repatriation of Haitian nationals during the current period of widespread Government-sponsored condoned violence in Haiti violates or may violate internationally recognized rights. (Articles allegedly violated, listed in part III of this report.)

 

          (vi)     Request that the United States Government respond to any requests made by the Commission, and keep the Commission informed regarding developments in its interdiction, and repatriation activities.

 

          (vii)    Conduct, as soon as possible, a fact-finding visit to Haiti to evaluate the level of political violence taking place there and the ability of third-party countries to ensure the safety of Haitians forcibly repatriated.

          4.       With regard to the Supplemental Filing in Support of the Emergency Application received by the Commission on February 11th, 1992, the petitioners stated that they would be satisfied if the Commission would resolve to urge the United States Government, if it refuses to suspend the forcible repatriation on Haitian refugees, to:

 

          (i)       Permit legal counsel to consult with the interdictees in the preparation of their requests for political asylum.

 

          (ii)      Permit the interdictees a reasonable opportunity to apply for entry into third countries.

 

          (iii)     Give the interdictees a full and fair opportunity to present their claims for asylum.

                  

          (iv)     Respond to any requests made by the Commission.

 

          5.       With regard to petitioners' reply of December 31st, 1992, they urge that:

                   "an emergency communication be sent from the Commission to the U.S. Government requesting that interdictions and repatriations be temporarily suspended under the May 1992 Kennebunkport Order until the situation in Haiti is normalized or the Commission has had an opportunity to  decide the admissibility of the petition, and, if it rules the petition admissible, has had the opportunity to review the merits of petitioners' claims and the position of the U.S. Government regarding those claims."

 

          6.       That such a communication would be entirely appropriate given that the U.S. Supreme Court, at the urging of the U.S. Government, has stayed the decision in the case of Haitian Centers Council v. McNary, brought on behalf of haitian boat people, in thereby allowing continuation of interdictions followed by repatriations without any interviews to determine whether the Haitians being forcibly returned to Haiti possess legitimate claims to refugee status.

 

          7.       At a hearing held at the petitioners request on February 26th, 1993, before the Commission at its 83rd period of sessions, they requested that the Commission:

 

          1.       As quickly as possible, send an urgent communication to the President of the United States.

                  

          (A)     Requesting that summary repatriations to Haiti under the May 1992 Kennebunkport Order be immediately terminated.

 

          (B)      Requesting that until the situation in Haiti is normalized or the Commission has had an opportunity to decide the matters raised in this petition, no person should be involuntarily returned to Haiti.

 

          (C)     Expressing particular concern that people interdicted should not be forcibly returned to Haiti without individual and fair interviews to determine whether they face persecution following repatriation, and that decisions on their claims should be made in conformity with applicable standards which preclude repatriation of persons to countries where they face persecution.  People interdicted in international waters should be brought to safe ports outside of Haiti to be processed and interviewed.

 

          (D)     Urging that under no circumstances shall "in country processing be the sole method for Haitians to seek asylee or refugee status.  Furthermore, "in country" processing of applications for refugee status filed by Haitians living in Haiti be modified so that (i) safer and more secure locations are provided, (ii) locations in rural areas are made available, (iii) local Haitians are not employed in the offices processing refugee applications, (iv) Haitians in hiding are not forced to come out of hiding in order to seek refugee status, and (v) applicants may receive assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or appropriate voluntary agencies.

 

          (E)      Urging that humanitarian steps immediately be undertaken to release from detention the interdicted Haitians who have tested HIV positive and are presently detained in Guantanamo Bay.

 

          2.       Declare that the return of President Aristide to office in Haiti is an essential step towards resolving the refugee crisis caused by human rights practices of the de-facto regime.

 

          3.       Make all possible efforts to monitor observance of human rights in Haiti by conducting an on-going on-site investigation there until the restoration of the democratic Government.

 

          III.      IN THIS CONNECTION THE APPLICANT ALLEGES VIOLATIONS OF:

         

          1.       Articles I, XVIII, XXVII, XXIV, XVII, of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (American Declaration).

         

          2.       Articles 22(2)(7)(8); 24 and 25  of the American Convention on Human Rights (American Convention) as supplemented by Article 18 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

 

          3.       Articles 55 and 56 of the U.N. Charter.

 

          4.       Articles 3, 16(1) and 33 of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, July 28, 1951, 189 U.N.T.S. 150 ("U.N. Refugee Convention).