These folks apparently assumed that their efforts to do good would not only shield them from legal liability, but serve as justification for ignoring the laws of another country and the rights of Haitian parents who might still be alive. In their view, the opportunity to live in the United States apparently justifies any action needed to achieve that result.
The lesson in this story should be obvious and applies to matters that extend far beyond disaster relief, children, and adoption:...
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Just because you think are doing good doesn’t mean you can ignore the law.
We are very sympathetic with the Haitian officials. We assume that the ten individuals are well intentioned, but just because someone says that he is a missionary or motivated by religion doesn’t necessarily mean this person is sane or well intended when that claim is objectively examined. David Koresh and the Branch Davidian religious sect come quickly to mind. You may recall that there were allegations of child abuse and statutory rape. There have been other instances of cults that come to mind, but which we will not enumerate here.
Moreover, it is well documented that there are individuals
who prey on small children who are orphaned when disaster strikes. A bible strikes us as a great prop in
the hands of someone who is otherwise up to no good. The Haitian authorities had every right to be suspicious. Can you imagine the criticism the authorities would have received if they turned an eye and it turned out these children were sold into bondage?
The ten missionaries offer another lesson about cultural and societal myopia. “I am from the United States” doesn’t give you a freehand. Although its government may be dysfunctional following the earthquake, Haiti is still a sovereign nation with its own laws. Americans abroad should respect foreign laws. Otherwise we all receive a black eye.
This incident serves as an important lesson for the many who want to start charities abroad. Before doing so, you had better gain a grasp of cultural norms and expectations, legal requirements, and needs. Otherwise you are headed for clashes of civilizations. This is particularly important to keep in mind because of how the rules addressing the intersection of charity and terrorism operate.
The missionaries also ignored the cost of their foolishness to the U.S. State Department. You can bet that we have officials working on a negotiated release or other resolution to the situation that these arrogant people created. Given all the suffering in Haiti, we would prefer that the State Department were engaged with the problems caused by nature rather than the problems created over zealous amateurs.
In the end, there is the question of the children’s welfare. Who is to say that the children are better off in the United States with a new family? Until there is a resolution whether their parents are dead, the children’s safety is paramount. Their safety goes hand in hand with bringing about a reunion with their parents or other close relatives if possible. That’s much less likely if the children are living in Idaho with new parents.
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