Jean-Bertrand Aristide quotes

Jean-Bertrand Aristide is a Haitian statesman and former president who played a central role in the country's modern history. Known for his advocacy of democracy and social justice, he became Haiti’s first democratically elected president. He has faced both support and controversy during his terms in office and periods in exile. Here are 22 of his quotes:

If one suffers we all suffer. Togetherness is strength. Courage. (Jean-Bertrand Aristide)
When you care about human beings, you do your best to not repress and to not let people to repress and to not arm people to repress. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
The future of Haiti must be linked to the respect of the rights of every single citizen. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
We are all equal, rich and poor, and we need a society where the people enjoy their rights. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
The spirit of Ubuntu, that once led Haiti to emerge as the first independent black nation in 1804, helped Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador attain liberty, and inspired our forefathers to shed their blood for the United States' independence, cannot die. Today, this spirit of solidarity must and will empower all of us to rebuild Haiti. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
We must all make peace so that we can all live in peace. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Haiti, Haiti, the further I am from you, the less I breathe. Haiti, I love you, and I will love you always. Always. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Of course, learning is strengthened and solidified when it occurs in a safe, secure and normal environment. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
I will work to bring peace to everyone - whatever economic level - as long as you are Haitian. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Sometimes people who want to understand Haiti from a political perspective may be missing part of the picture. They also need to look at Haiti from a psychological perspective. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
I am confident that I can serve my country without being involved as the president of the country now. (Jean-Bertrand Aristide)
As we all know, many people remain buried under tons of rubble and debris, waiting to be rescued. When we think of their suffering, we feel deeply and profoundly that we should be there, in Haiti, with them, trying our best to prevent death. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
The first time Haiti had free and fair democratic elections was 1990, when I was elected. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
As far as we are concerned, we are ready to leave today, tomorrow, at any time, to join the people of Haiti, to share in their suffering, help rebuild the country, moving from misery to poverty with dignity. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Peace in the head, peace in the stomach. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
I respect religion and will respect any religion. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Haitians don't like to say they are hungry because we are proud. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
In 1994, when I went back to Haiti from exile, we established a Commission for Truth and Justice and Reconciliation. I passed the documents to the next government, and I never heard about it again. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
We have problems which will be addressed by Haitians. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
I know how the American people care for that democratic principle. They want to see their vote respected. As we in Haiti want to see the vote of the people respected. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide
The structure of apartheid is still rooted in the Haitian society. When you have apartheid, you don't see those behind the walls. That is the reality of Haiti. (Jean-Bertrand Aristide)
When we say 'democracy' we have to mean what we say. View quote
Jean-Bertrand Aristide