Debt and Dependence: Foreign Interference in Haiti and the Importance of Non-State Actor Accountability

Authors

Sandra Wisner, University of TorontoFollow
Brian Concannon, Institute for Justice & Democracy in HaitiFollow

Abstract

Colonialist policies and lending practices by foreign states and non-state actors have led to serious and wide-spread violations of Haitian individuals’ fundamental human rights. In particular, a series of loan conditions imposed by international financial institutions and their members states left Haiti vulnerable to increased food insecurity and a severely diminished social sector. This paper proposes that the imposition of such loan conditions constitutes a violation of foreign actors’ obligations under international law respecting economic, social, cultural, and political rights, as well as their extra-territorial obligations (ETOs) to take joint and separate action to promote and respect human rights beyond their borders. As such, this paper outlines the emerging recognition of ETOs around the globe and the urgent need to reform and strengthen accountability mechanisms and oversight measures, without which foreign actors have not had to account for the harms caused by their policies and practices.

Recommended Citation

Sandra Wisner and Brian Concannon, Debt and Dependence: Foreign Interference in Haiti and the Importance of Non-State Actor Accountability, 21 Nw. J. Hum. Rts. 185 (2023).
https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njihr/vol21/iss3/1