In 2004, we launched the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) because we realized that a stable, prosperous Haiti required bringing Haitians’ centuries-long struggle for justice to the US and other powerful countries, where too many decisions about their rights were made. 

IJDH started as a handful of committed advocates including Paul Farmer and Ira Kurzban. But soon we were joined by equally committed supporters like you who understood the importance of addressing the injustice underlying Haiti’s instability and poverty.  

Twenty years later, our work is clearly not completed. But we—the IJDH team, our colleagues at our sister organization, the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) and supporters like you—have won transformative victories and built an extraordinary, internationally-recognized capacity to fight for justice on the streets, in courts of law and courts of public opinion throughout the world. 

With your support matched dollar-for-dollar during our 20th anniversary campaign, we can seize this moment to expand on these victories in the struggle for justice and democracy in Haiti.

Together, we have already achieved remarkable change, including winning landmark cases, such as:

• hundreds of political prisoners freed from jail and returned to organizing work;
• dozens of sexual offenders convicted;
• a Haitian court order that dictator Baby Doc Duvalier must face trial for his crimes against humanity, rejecting his statute of limitations claim; 
• a US court order that the Trump Administration’s cancellation of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians was unconstitutionally racist; and much more. 

With your support, we’ve transformed systems, narratives, and lives—mentoring a new generation of committed, idealistic lawyers and justice advocates, changing how women are treated in Haiti’s courts, and amplifying Haiti’s call for restitution of the Independence Debt from France.

One of my great satisfactions in two decades at IJDH is how many of you have remained committed to this fight, year after year — many for more than a decade. One of my great excitements at IJDH is seeing new people bringing fresh energy and resources to the emerging challenges and opportunities.

To honor IJDH’s 20th anniversary, a group of donors has pledged to match every donation through December 31, up to $100,000. Your generous gift today will immediately be put to work, doubling its impact to help sustain our critical work, including:

• promoting equitable treatment of women in Haiti’s democratic transition;
• engaging with the Truth Commission, Law Reform Commission and other transitional mechanisms to maximize justice for vulnerable populations;
• defending Haitians in the U.S. against unfair treatment and fighting for just U.S. policies to Haiti under the new U.S. Administration; and much more.

You know how much the Haitian people need all of us to step up, as much as we can, right now. I can promise you that the staff at BAI and IJDH are working as hard as we can; I implore you to consider making the most generous gift you can today.

Whether you’ve been with us for 20 years or for 2, we are profoundly grateful for your solidarity in the struggle for justice, and for all we will accomplish together in the years ahead.

With profound gratitude and hope,

Brian Concannon

IJDH Executive Director

P.S. – Remember, every dollar you give today goes twice as far! Donate now at www.IJDH.org/donate to double your impact and celebrate IJDH’s 20th anniversary. Thank you for standing with us in this critical fight.

For assistance in making your year end gift, please email development@ijdh.org or call (857) 201-0991. Thank you!