Why an inquiry into the right to food?
The right to food is one of the fundamental rights of the person. The life of every human being is linked to the enjoyment of this right. Over the past two years, the standard of living of the Haitian population has deteriorated considerably. The prices of necessities are so high that eating enough to eat is now a luxury for most Haitians. Malnutrition affects all age groups, even pregnant women, children and the elderly are not exempt.
This situation can not be more shocking, deserves special attention from human rights organizations. Yet most of the reports of violations that have so far been published have focused on prolonged detention, unlawful arrest, ill-treatment, killings, rape and theft. When they do not completely deny social, economic and cultural rights, the place they give them is very insignificant. As if human rights were reduced only to civil and political rights.
Without wishing to downplay the importance of civil and political rights in the construction of any democracy, on the occasion of World Food Day and on the eve of the World Day against Poverty, the Platform of Haitian Organizations of Human Rights, draws the attention of state authorities to the deterioration of the living conditions of the population by publishing a survey on the right to food. We hope that this report will help the current authorities to better assess the seriousness of the situation with a view to adopting urgent measures to make corrections in the very short term.
I.- Methodology of the survey
As part of this survey, the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations has four objectives:
• Draw up a price list of some essential products on the market,
• Analyze the consequences of the increase of prices of these products on the right to food of the population,
• Identify the causes of the vertiginous rise in prices of these products on the market,
• Make recommendations to the authorities with a view to improving the living conditions of the population.
To wait for these different objectives, POHDH investigators visited public markets and restaurants, consulted several documents and interviewed several individuals and organizations. Among the individuals and organizations met, we can mention among others:
• Merchants of basic necessities,
• Restaurant managers,
• Farmers,
• Farmers’ organizations,
• Mothers and fathers of families.
II. Human rights
While it is true that many men and women have a very limited vision of human rights, confining them to civil and political rights alone; in reality, this question is much deeper. It refers to three categories of rights: civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights and the right of peoples to freely choose their political or other orientation. The former include the right to vote, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the right to citizenship, etc. The latter include the right to health, the right to education, the right to housing, the right to work, the right to food, the right to drinking water, and so on.
2.1. The right to food
The right to food requires that the individual have access to food that is qualitatively and quantitatively sufficient for its integral development. Its corollary is food security. The importance of good nutrition in the physical and mental health of a person is well established. The dissatisfaction of the nutritional needs of an individual causes him frustration and paralyzes his full physical and psychical development. As the old saying goes, humans must eat to live. A malnourished person is in a state of physical weakness that promotes infections. In this sense, no individual should be deprived of the nutrients required by his body, regardless of age, sex, educational level or social origin. The right to food is covered in Article 11 of the International Covenant on ESC rights. In this article, we read: “Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing”. This right is also recognized by the Haitian Constitution which declares in its article 23: “Let’s go degaje the whole jan mannyè for all sitwayen, nan all zen peyi a, shore jwenn all his ki nesesè, for yo pa vin fum ak all his ki nesesè for yo refè, if yo vin malad. Thus, the Haitian authorities have an obligation to ensure that all individuals can enjoy food security throughout their lives. “Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing”. This right is also recognized by the Haitian Constitution which declares in its article 23: “Let’s go degaje the whole jan mannyè for all sitwayen, nan all zen peyi a, shore jwenn all his ki nesesè, for yo pa vin fum ak all his ki nesesè for yo refè, if yo vin malad. Thus, the Haitian authorities have an obligation to ensure that all individuals can enjoy food security throughout their lives. “Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing”. This right is also recognized by the Haitian Constitution which declares in its article 23: “Let’s go degaje the whole jan mannyè for all sitwayen, nan all zen peyi a, shore jwenn all his ki nesesè, for yo pa vin fum ak all his ki nesesè for yo refè, if yo vin malad. Thus, the Haitian authorities have an obligation to ensure that all individuals can enjoy food security throughout their lives. All zen peyi a, shore jwenn all his ki nesesè, for yo pa vin maladk all his ki nesesè for yo refè, if yo vin malad. Thus, the Haitian authorities have an obligation to ensure that all individuals can enjoy food security throughout their lives. All zen peyi a, shore jwenn all his ki nesesè, for yo pa vin maladk all his ki nesesè for yo refè, if yo vin malad. Thus, the Haitian authorities have an obligation to ensure that all individuals can enjoy food security throughout their lives.
III. The question of food in Haiti
Despite this national and international legal framework guaranteeing economic, social and cultural rights, the living conditions of the population continue to deteriorate. According to UNDP, Haiti remains the poorest nation in the Americas. In terms of development, this country was ranked 150th out of 173 in 2003. During the last two years, it has regressed; it went from 150th to 153rd behind the Dominican Republic (95th). The majority of the Haitian population does not have access to basic services such as electricity, drinking water, education, telephone, etc. The sidewalks of the various streets of the capital and the main provincial towns are full of rubbish.
In terms of food, the situation is also very worrying. There is a quantitative and qualitative deficit in the diet of most individuals. The majority of consumer products such as corn, rice, beans, sugar, vegetables, cheese, fruits, beef or goat meat, fish, milk, are not accessible to small grants because of their high cost in the market. Some parents have told us that they are used to spending several days without being able to feed their children. Eating and drinking, which are basic needs, have become a luxury for most of the population today, only people from the upper classes can eat their fill. Here is a table of prices for some food products
Now let’s take a look at the prices of products that are more commonly used by poor families. Indeed, most slum residents rarely use domestic products. Their choice is usually imported. It is true that the former are richer in vitamins than the latter, but when you have a small purse and many children to feed, you have to prioritize the quantity on the quality.
Imported food products used in slums include: meat (chicken or turkey legs, pork feet, etc.), grasses (rice, wheat, oats, corn), to name but a few. . They are, compared with the national products, cheaper. However, do not think they are within everyone’s reach. Here is the price of some of these products on the market.
So, if food prices are as high on the market, what’s happening in restaurants? As expected, the situation is worse. The rise in consumer product prices has led all restaurant owners to raise prices for food. Today, they are few, those who can afford the luxury of eating in a bar or restaurant. A quick glance at the prices in the menu, may cause them to take their legs to their necks. You can see for yourself from these prices listed on the menu of some restaurants in the capital.
In such a situation, one can imagine the plight of people with low purchasing power, especially small peasants, workers and the unemployed. In fact, during the year 2005, 54% of the Haitian population earned less than one US dollar a day. Faced with such a situation, people of low purchasing power, are forced to opt for the outdoor restaurants and vulgarly called pejoratively “Akoupi Chaje m w” even though the quality of food and the way they are served always leave something to be desired. Here is a shot taken around 12 hours, in an outdoor restaurant located near the Salomon Market.
3.1. Consequence of under-nutrition on the health of the population
Children, elderly people and pregnant women from disadvantaged backgrounds are usually the main victims of the high cost of living. During the year 2000, the World Bank’s statistical data indicated that the percentage of children who were undernourished in Haiti was 17%. According to data collected on the “Pan American Health” site, in Haiti one in three children (32%) suffers from chronic under-nutrition; 16% of children are chronically under-nourished. Children suffering from acute malnutrition account for 8%. In addition, the percentage of newborns weighing less than 2,500g at birth is 15%. This decreases life expectancy and causes mental disorders, rickets and infant mortality. Indeed, at the age of five, 41% of Haitian children permanently show severe growth retardation. In addition, in 2003, the average life expectancy in Haiti was 49.1, according to UNDP.
IV. Role of the neoliberal plan in the deterioration of living conditions in Haiti
The choice of economic policy made by the Haitian state is the main cause of the degradation of life in the country. To this we should also add: bad governance characterized by (corruption, smuggling, the squandering of public funds) and our low production. In recent years, dictated by the imperialist countries and some international financial institutions, particularly the United States, the IMF, the World Bank, the Haitian authorities have undertaken in the Haitian economy a major reform known as the neoliberal policy or Structural Adjustment Program (SAP). This policy is particularly characterized by a number of measures such as: the privatization of public enterprises, the abandonment of the pricing policy, the substantial reduction of customs duties on imports or free trade, the reduction of State expenditure in social services, etc. In the opinion of the technicians of the plan, this program is adopted with the aim of combating poverty and facilitating economic development in the countries. However, all those who follow closely the situation of the peoples who have already chosen this way, may realize that it has rather aggravated it. Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and some African countries can be taken as examples. In this sense, we can say that the imperialist countries have implemented this plan in order to continue to exploit small countries and their people and make them more dependent. In Haiti, this economic program made its appearance in the 1980s, more precisely under the government of Jean Claude Duvalier. However, it was not until Jean Bertrand Aristide returned to power in 1994 to see this program take off with the privatization of the Minoterie D’Haiti. The results so far recorded by the application of this policy clearly prove that it can only contribute to the total impoverishment of Haitian families, with the exception of those from well-to-do families who are, alongside the bourgeoisie international, also beneficiaries. Let’s try to analyze more deeply the impact of this policy on the living conditions of the population. to see this program take its cruising speed with the privatization of the Minoterie D’Haiti. The results so far recorded by the application of this policy clearly prove that it can only contribute to the complete impoverishment of Haitian families, with the exception of those from well-to-do families who are, alongside the bourgeoisie international, also beneficiaries. Let’s try to analyze more deeply the impact of this policy on the living conditions of the population. to see this program take its cruising speed with the privatization of the Minoterie D’Haiti. The results so far recorded by the application of this policy clearly prove that it can only contribute to the complete impoverishment of Haitian families, with the exception of those from well-to-do families (those who own prosperous towing companies) who are, alongside the bourgeoisie international, also beneficiaries. Let’s try to analyze more deeply the impact of this policy on the living conditions of the population. exception of those from well-to-do circles who are, alongside the international bourgeoisie, also beneficiaries. Let’s try to analyze more deeply the impact of this policy on the living conditions of the population. exception of those from well-to-do circles who are, alongside the international bourgeoisie, also beneficiaries. Let’s try to analyze more deeply the impact of this policy on the living conditions of the population.
4.1. Impact of free trade on domestic production
One of the major recommendations made by this plan is the free movement of goods on the international market, better known as free trade. “Free Trade” is a trading system based on the absence of tariff and non-tariff barriers to the free movement of products on the international market. This commercial measure, which is profitable only for the developed capitalist countries, has caused a great deal of damage to national production, particularly in the field of agriculture. Under the pretext of wanting to respect the free-trade agreements imposed by the imperialist countries, the Haitian authorities allowed all sorts of foreign products to enter the market. Same food products and fruits such as banana, oranges, lemon, papaya, coconut, grenadia, that the country once produced in large quantities, are now bought outside. Thus, some of our agricultural products are abandoned for the benefit of some cheaper foreign products. This situation has led to a fall in the income of the peasants, whose impoverishment it is aggravating. For this reason, some of them leave agriculture to engage in other more profitable activities. Hence this gradual decline in the level of production in the country. some of them leave agriculture to engage in other more profitable activities. Hence this gradual decline in the level of production in the country. some of them leave agriculture to engage in other more profitable activities. Hence this gradual decline in the level of production in the country.
Today, the majority of food products used in Haiti come from abroad, more precisely from the Dominican Republic and the United States. Haiti is among the client countries for some US products, including rice. During 2003, the country imported food products worth $ 1.028 billion. Nevertheless, the authorities have so far taken no action to redress this situation. The last measures adopted are intended to make it worse. The decision by the Boniface Government to allow the T & S Rice Corporation to import rice into the market is proof of this. According to reports, even the premises and equipment of the former ENAROL factory were made available to the company “T and S Rice”. However, some research done recently in the Artibonite Valley, prove that it can alone feed the entire population if it is maintained. Even so, the authorities have so far made no effort to promote an increase in rice production in this region. Despite the existence of mechanical or motorized equipment, the peasants of Artibonite continue to practice manual farming. They are left at the mercy of Mother Nature for the sole purpose of bringing them to abandon farming altogether. The following photo may give an idea of the conditions in which they work. it can alone feed the entire population if it is maintained. Even so, the authorities have so far made no effort to promote an increase in rice production in this region. Despite the existence of mechanical or motorized equipment, the peasants of Artibonite continue to practice manual farming. They are left at the mercy of Mother Nature for the sole purpose of bringing them to abandon farming altogether. The following photo may give an idea of the conditions in which they work. it can alone feed the entire population if it is maintained. Even so, the authorities have so far made no effort to promote an increase in rice production in this region. Despite the existence of mechanical or motorized equipment, the peasants of Artibonite continue to practice manual farming. They are left at the mercy of Mother Nature for the sole purpose of bringing them to abandon farming altogether. The following photo may give an idea of the conditions in which they work. the existence of mechanical or motorized equipment, the peasants of Artibonite continue to practice manual agriculture. They are left at the mercy of Mother Nature for the sole purpose of bringing them to abandon farming altogether. The following photo may give an idea of the conditions in which they work. the existence of mechanical or motorized equipment, the peasants of Artibonite continue to practice manual agriculture. They are left at the mercy of Mother Nature for the sole purpose of bringing them to abandon farming altogether. The following photo may give an idea of the conditions in which they work.
4.2. Impact of the abandonment of the pricing policy on the high cost of products
The decision taken by the Haitian State not to intervene in the market, has serious consequences on the price of products. Such a measure is in line with the interests of the big traders who take the opportunity to increase their rate of profit as they please. Thus, there has been a gradual rise in the prices of certain products, especially petroleum products and basic necessities. During the last two years, the prices of basic necessities have been multiplied by 5 on the market. The Haitian authorities passively witnessed this surge in prices. Yet the decree of October 26, 1989 published in the newspaper “Le Moniteur” requires the State to intervene in the market to avoid the abnormal rise in prices.
In the face of rising commodity prices, farmers and small retailers are making sacrifices of all kinds in order to renew the minimum tools needed to continue working. They are obliged to reduce the expenses made for consumption in their family. Hence the under nourishment of most members of the latter.
V. The point of view of some farmers’ organizations
The Platform’s investigators met some members of TET KOLE TI PEYIZAN, a peasant organization active in the agricultural sector. The latter took the opportunity to put forward their claims. The authorities must, they say:
a) Quickly proceed to a serious agrarian reform in order to allow the Haitian peasants to have access to land, to mechanical or motorized materials and to benefit from agricultural credits. The earth must be to the one who works it;
b) Strengthen road infrastructure in rural areas to facilitate trade between the cities themselves and between the cities and the capital. This will avoid the waste of most peasant products in the hills;
(c) Provide the country’s major cities with all the services available in the capital to discourage rural-urban migration.
VI. Conclusions and recommendations
In short, when we look at the prices of basic necessities on the market and when we know that the very low rate of those who work, receives only a meager salary, we can say that the right to food of the majority of the Haitian population is not respected. Many citizens are in the most food insecure. Hungry children, old men and pregnant women are left to fend for themselves until their death ensues.
On the occasion of the World Food Day, celebrated today and on the eve of the World Day against Poverty, POHDH wishes to draw the authorities’ attention to the difficult situation faced by Haitian families. today in the country. As claimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Haitian Constitution, the Haitian population in its entirety must be able to enjoy all its rights. Therefore, while supporting the demands of the members of the TET KOLE TI PEYIZAN organization, the POHDH asks the current authorities to take measures to positively change the living conditions of the population. Among the measures to be considered, the Platform suggests to the authorities:
• Work tirelessly to increase state revenue by cracking down on all smugglers who refuse to pay customs duties;
• Eliminate all customs exemptions granted to certain traders by the transitional government on the grounds that their trade was burned after Aristide’s departure for exile on 29 February 2004;
• Make rational and efficient use of state revenues by avoiding waste and severely punishing any misappropriation of funds;
• Set aside any policy that discourages domestic producers, especially small farmers. This must favor the increase of our production and the conquest of our food sovereignty;
• Controlling the price of products on the market, especially primary and oil products by setting the margin of profit of traders;
• Establish General Procurement Services to enable underprivileged people to purchase food at a lower cost.