On Thursday, June 5, 2025, 65 members of parliament gathered in the chamber of the French National Assembly discussed and voted on a proposed resolution aimed at exploring ways to repay the "double debt" imposed on Haiti in the 19th century for the recognition of its independence.

Initiated by the communist group, known as the Democratic and Republican Left (GDR), the text of this resolution was put to a vote and approved by 53 members of parliament (Communists and 'ultramarins') against 9 (National Front and allies).

While Transitional Presidential Advisor Leslie Voltaire sees this as a significant step towards restitution and reparation, it should be noted that this resolution is not binding and was passed by minority parties whose political clout is negligible (they represent less than 10% of the 577 members of the National Assembly).

Adopted text of the resolution (#137) :

"Aiming for the recognition, repayment, and reparation by France of Haiti's "double debt"

The National Assembly adopted the following resolution:

Considering that the Haitian situation can no longer be viewed solely from the perspective of a humanitarian emergency, sometimes tinged with miserabilism, and that international solidarity cannot be considered as reparation;

1. Calls upon the Government to officially and solemnly recognize the injustice inflicted on Haiti by the royal ordinance of April 17, 1825;

2. Calls upon the Government to consider its consequences and long-term implications for Haitian society as a whole;

3. Calls on the Government to consider repayment requests and to study the process for repaying the "double debt" imposed on Haiti, which has been fully repaid;

4. Calls for the establishment of an independent commission to this end;

5. Calls for the initiation and support of initiatives that are part of a restorative justice process, particularly Franco-Haitian initiatives with a memorial dimension, to transmit this dark chapter of our history to current and future generations.

Deliberated in public session in Paris, June 5, 2025."

Download the full text of the discussions that took place at the National Assembly regarding this Resolution (PDF in French, 20 pages) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/discussion-assemblee-nationale-double-dette.pdf

SL/ HaitiLibre