Ensure Rights to Personal Security for Survivors of Haiti Earthquake

DWA FANM ASKS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE RIGHTS TO PERSONAL SECURITY FOR
SURVIVORS OF HAITI EARTHQUAKE.

Contact: Dr. Carolle Charles, Board Chair and Berlotte Israel, Human Rights
Coordinator 718-230-4027 x 302 bisrael@dwafanm.org
<mailto:bisrael@dwafanm.org>
<mailto:bisrael@dwafanm.org>

January 14, 2010 - Dwa Fanm expresses deep concern for the struggling
survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti and profound sympathy for
the families of the as yet uncounted victims. We are especially concerned as
many of our sister women's rights offices and homes have been destroyed.
Several women's human-rights defenders are also still unaccounted for.

Clearly, providing relief and protection for survivors must be the immediate
priority for the international community. Dwa Fanm fully supports these
efforts and encourages everyone to be in contact with organizations that are
coordinating direct provision of medical assistance, other donations and
supplies to survivors.

But as the international community is beginning to report incidences of
violence, it is important even at this early stage in the response to ensure
that, as aid is delivered in the coming weeks and months, the UN and the NGO
humanitarian community take every step to ensure and protect the human
rights of Haitian people to safety and security, especially vulnerable women
and children.

As relief efforts proceed, it is also essential that the U.S. government
immediately provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians currently
in the United States. We welcome the decision of the Obama Administration to
halt the pending deportation of some 30, 000 Haitians.

We believe that, given Haiti's lack of capacity to safely accept any
returnees at this time, the Administration should take the next step and
grant TPS on an expedited basis to Haitians who are in the US at this time
and are in need of protection. Granting TPS will allow Haiti to focus on
recovery and disaster relief without the additional difficulty of dealing
with potentially homeless returnees.

The international community, both governmental and non-governmental, must be
committed to monitoring the situation in the years ahead to ensure that a
rebuilt Haitian society is built on a foundation of human rights and respect
for human dignity.

PLEASE VISIT www.dwafanm.org for more on what you can do. Contact, Berlotte
Israel about the all day Saturday "drop off site" for supply donations
heading to Haiti.


Dwa Fanm means "Women's Rights" in Haitian Creole. Dwa Fanm is committed to
empowering every woman and girl with the freedom to define and control their
own lives. Through advocacy and grassroots programs, Dwa Fanm works to end
all forms of violence, discrimination and injustice in the U.S. and in
Haiti.