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Other Societal Violence or Discrimination
Haiti's large HIV/AIDS population faces considerable discrimination, especially affecting women.
The Right of Association
Though nominally Haitians may form and join unions, mass privatizations dilute effective representation. According to some, Haiti is now a laboratory for neoliberal politics and the interests of multinational corporations, affording none to impoverished workers. Moreover, mass unemployment negates the right to organize and bargain collectively. As a result, employers set wages and establish working conditions arbitrarily.
Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor
Though prohibited by law, violations are commonplace, including against children afforded no rights in practice. Moreover, under Haiti's century-old Restavek system, impoverished families unable to adequately provide for their children send them to live with better off ones in return for food, shelter, education, and a better life in return for forced servitude - de facto slaves subjected to verbal and/or physical abuse.
As a result, some as young as three are beaten, required to do anything asked, request nothing, speak only when spoken to, display no emotion, and receive none of the benefits parents expect, just exploitation and often severe mistreatment, including from relatives.
Afforded no government protection, they experience horrific treatment, including whippings, days without food, being attacked by rodents during sleep or street predators any time, and being easy prey for kidnappers who seize them for prostitution or forced labor, internally or abroad. Haiti's January 2010 earthquake exacerbated conditions.
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