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The recent U.S. sanctions against former Haitian President Michel Martelly mark a significant escalation in the international community's response to Haiti's ongoing crisis.
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has accused Martelly of facilitating drug trafficking and contributing to the country's destabilizing gang violence. These sanctions, issued under Executive Order 14059, highlight Martelly's alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade, including cocaine shipments bound for the United States. This move aims to disrupt the activities of corrupt political elites in Haiti who are believed to be exacerbating the nation's political instability and humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. sanctions freeze his assets under American jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. financial institutions from conducting business with him. The U.S. government coordinated this action with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an effort to combat the broader issues of corruption and gang violence in Haiti. Martelly, who served as Haiti's president from 2011 to 2016, has faced similar sanctions before, with Canada targeting him in 2022 for his connections to criminal gangs.
These measures come at a time when Haiti is grappling with widespread violence, with gangs controlling large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. The U.S. sanctions against Martelly underscore the international community's commitment to addressing the root causes of Haiti's ongoing turmoil and holding those responsible accountable.
But let's be honest, the population most affected by the ongoing crisis in Haiti isn't the U.S., it's the Haitian children. The ongoing crisis in Haiti continues to violate children's fundamental rights, leaving an entire generation at risk of growing up without the basic protections and opportunities they need to thrive. International and local efforts are urgently needed to address these challenges and safeguard the rights of Haiti's children. Ongoing political violence and gang wars have severely impacted the rights and well-being of the Haitian children, exacerbating their vulnerability in several critical areas:
Access to Education: According to UNICEF, nearly half of Haiti’s school-aged children were already out of school before the recent escalations, and the current crisis has further limited access to education, depriving children of their right to learn and develop (DW).
Physical Safety: Gang violence, kidnappings, and general lawlessness have put children's lives at risk. Many children live in fear, and some have been forced to flee their homes, joining the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). These conditions expose them to further risks, including trafficking, exploitation, and violence (DR1).
Health and Nutrition: The economic and social collapse has led to widespread food insecurity, with many children facing malnutrition. The breakdown of healthcare services has made it difficult for children to access basic medical care, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates among the young population.
Mental Health: The constant exposure to violence and instability has had a profound impact on the mental health of children in Haiti. Many suffer from trauma-related issues, which are exacerbated by the lack of mental health services and support in the country.
Child Labor and Exploitation: The economic hardships caused by the crisis have pushed many children into labor to support their families. Child labor, often in dangerous conditions, denies them their right to a childhood and exposes them to exploitation and abuse.
So, how would a holy, loving, just, and righteous God who deeply cares about the suffering of all people, but especially those of the most vulnerable - the children - respond to the international Haitian crisis? Would it be the same or different as the international community's? The scriptures consistently affirm many examples of how God responds with justice, mercy, and protection for those who are oppressed or marginalized.
God issues calls throughout the scriptures to serve as a defender of the weak and the vulnerable. Psalm 82:3-4 says, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." This passage is God's direct command to protect and deliver those who are powerless, especially children, from harm and injustice. Jesus demonstrated that there is a special love and care for children during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This shows that children hold a special place in God's heart and their well-being is of paramount importance in His Kingdom.
God’s nature as just and righteous means that He desires us to reflect the same. He seeks justice for all people, especially for those who cannot defend themselves. Isaiah 1:17 calls His followers to "learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." This verse emphasizes the active role that we are called to take in ensuring that justice is served and that the rights of the vulnerable are upheld.
In the context of the crisis in Haiti, our loving, just, and righteous God calls us, His agents on the Earth, to stand up and act on behalf of the children who are suffering. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world, working to bring about healing, justice, and restoration wherever they can. This could involve prayer, advocacy, providing material support, and working to change unjust systems that perpetuate suffering.
Answer God's #CallforJustice regarding the Haiti's lost children and visit www.coeurassemble.net today. You can sponsor a Haitian child, pray or donate. You can change the world for Haiti- one child at a time.
#justiceforHaiti #protectthechildren #therightsofachild #Godsheartforjustice #nonprofitadvocacy #humanrights
Written by Michelle Hubbs, M.A.L.
For more details, you can read the full articles from [Haitian Times](https://haitiantimes.com), [DW](https://www.dw.com), and [DR1](https://dr1.com).
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