Senator Edward M. Kennedy, His Impact on Haiti

Senator Edward M. Kennedy And Haiti foreign policy

Here is what I found out:

Senator Edward M. Kennedy was one the U.S. Senators urging the Department of Homeland Security to grant Haitians temporary protected status in the United States. (jfkt.net)

Senator Kennedy was also an invaluable ally around issues of democracy and accountability in Haiti. When the military was repressing Haitians in the 1980s, Kennedy was there supporting the victims. He pushed for the suppression of aid to the military regime of Leslie Manigat and worked tirelessly throughout the years to support democracy in Haiti and the fair treatment of Haitian refugees. (transafricaforum.org)

Senator Edward M. Kennedy was there during the Presentation of the RFK Human Rights Award to Loune Viaud of Haiti. (rfkmemorial.org)

Senator Teddy Kennedy said: "The fact is-- let me just end up-- we are so poorly equipped as a nation for postwar eventualities. We should have learned that out of [our involvement in] Bosnia. We should have learned it in Haiti; we are reminded again of the disaster. We are very good in sending troops, [but not very good] in follow-up. That's been the truth in country after country; we do not do that. It's a clear failure, and we learn and relearn the lessons every single time, and we're learning them more harshly this time than ever before." (cfr.org)

who has a long-standing interest in immigration, said the U.S. handling of Haitian refugees is not fair or just. "A year ago, the Department (of Justice) implemented a policy that subjects Haitian asylum seekers to mandatory detention upon arrival to the U.S.," he declared. "Asylum seekers from other nations were eligible for release while they pursue their asylum claims, but not those from Haiti." (ncccusa.org)

It is true that Washington and the great state of Massachusetts will miss Senator Edward M. Kennedy dearly but, I truly believe that he will also be missed by the Haitian community as well.

If you have any info linking Senator Edward M. Kennedy to Haiti, be sure to contribute to this article.

May he rest in peace!

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