This text contains the keynote remarks from the Samuel Dash Conference on Haiti, hosted by the Georgetown Law Human Rights Institute, delivered on April 6, 2025, by Mildred Trouillot, a former first lady of Haiti, and currently a very active member of the Board of Administration of the University of the Dr. Aristide.

Starting with the country’s Current Crisis due to widespread violence, displacement, and destruction which causes extreme instability, the speaker emphasized the need for reparations for Haiti after the country paid a heavy debt to its former colonizers. She reminded us that President Aristide was the one who formally requested restitution from France, leading to national discussions and campaigns for justice. However, his government was later overthrown in a coup, and Haiti’s request for restitution was withdrawn…