[News] Haiti: Amnesty International denounces rights abuses - lawyers denounce executions

[News at freedomarchives.org]

AHP News- April 7, 2004 - English translation (Unofficial)
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Amnesty international denounces serious violations of human rights 
committed in Haiti since the departure of Aristide
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Port-au-Prince, April 7, 2004 -(AHP)- Amnesty International, the 
international human rights organization, presented a report of its findings 
Wednesday in a news briefing at the conclusion of a 15 day research mission 
in Haiti regarding the human rights situation in the country.

The members of the Amnesty International delegation indicated that they had 
conducted more than 50 interviews in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area 
through which a profound sense of insecurity and fear was expressed despite 
the presence of the multinational force.

The human rights organization's representative to the United Nations, 
Yvonne Terlingen, emphasized that Amnesty International has received 
reports of cases of summary executions and abductions of supporters of 
Fanmi Lavalas.

Ms. Terlingen stated that the situation is even more complex today because 
of the increase in the number of political actors. The armed bands remain 
far more numerous than they were prior to the sudden departure of Aristide 
on February 29.

At the news conference,  Amnesty International also denounced the Latortue 
government for its aggressive hunt for  individuals close to Lavalas on 
accusations of presumed involvement in cases of human rights violations, 
while other individuals already convicted of crimes who escaped from prison 
or who have taken refuge abroad are walking the streets with complete 
impunity and in plain sight of the Latortue government.

Yvonne Terlingen stated that the interim government should issue a strong 
public statement committing itself to fighting impunity. Individuals 
responsible for human rights violations should be brought to justice 
regardless of their political affiliation, she emphasized.

The human rights organization also stressed the government's need to disarm 
all armed groups in order to provide security for all Haitians.

Several domestic as well as international sectors have recently expressed 
astonishment at statements by the interim prime minister hailing the 
Anti-Aristide rebels in Gonaïves as "freedom fighters".

During the research mission, Amnesty International met with provisional 
President Boniface Alexandre, Justice Minister Bernard Gousse and  police 
director general Léonce Charles regarding Haiti's urgent need of a justice 
system and police that are impartial, so as to guarantee respect for 
individual liberties.

Amnesty International was highly critical of the Multinational Interim 
Force, which the organization said has made no serious effort together with 
the Haitian police to disarm the armed gangs.

Amnesty deplored the fact that promises to that effect made by France and 
the United States have thus far not been fulfilled.

The Amnesty International delegation said it had also visited the National 
Penitentiary where more than 40 people are detained, a majority of whom are 
members of Fanmi Lavalas, including the former interior minister of the 
Aristide government, Jocelerme Privert,  who was arrested in the middle of 
the night on Monday. They are being held under the protection of the 
multinational force, Amnesty said.

According to the organization, officials of the U.S. Embassy in Haiti were 
not in a position to provide any details on accusations against these 
detainees.

Amnesty International asked the U.S. government to clarify these arrests.



AHP April 7, 2004  3:40 PM



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CARLI denounces summary executions perpetrated in March 2004 as well as the 
double standard of the Latortue government in the area of justice
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Port-au-Prince, April 7, 2004 -(AHP)- The Committee of Lawyers for the 
respect of Individual Liberties (CARLI) published a report this Wednesday 
on its "Hot Line" program for the month of March 2004.

In the report, the Haitian human rights organization describes several 
cases of human rights violations and telephone appeals received from 
several victims.

CARLI Secretary General Renan Hédouville said that during the month of 
March several cases of summary execution were documented, notably that of 
five young men murdered by police officers stationed at the Cafeteria 
precinct station.

The victims were members of the Fanmi Lavalas political organization.

CARLI also described the killing of four individuals including one 
journalist on March 7 during a demonstration by the opposition political 
Platform to celebrate the departure of President Aristide.

In addition, Renan Hédouville denounced the policy of double standards 
practiced by the Latortue government.

"It is inconceivable that individuals indicted by the judiciary as well as 
convicted prisoners who have escaped from detention facilities continue to 
benefit from the laxness of the judicial system", asserted Mr. Hédouville. 
He wondered whether the struggle for human rights and the establishment of 
the rule of law in Haiti is over.



AHP April 7, 2004  4:00 PM

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