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For Haiti to Live, the Rule of Law Must be Established Promptly

Statement of Jocelyn McCalla,
Executive Director, a.i.
National Coalition for Haitian Rights

New York, March 5, 2004 -- After declaring his readiness to die in office to save democracy, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide decided to save himself and perhaps Haiti by fleeing, albeit reluctantly, into exile. Unfortunately his departure is not the graceful exit that many peace-loving Haitians hoped for. In the wake of Aristide’s presidency, Haiti is a divided nation filled with death and destruction, a shabby government, extremely weak law-enforcement and judicial institutions, and dreams deferred. There’s a very real possibility that power will fall in the hands of rebels, whose past record of atrocities committed on behalf of military regimes and Aristide’s rule indicate that the rule of law and respect for human rights are the least of their concerns. For democracy to take root in Haiti, establishing the rule of law and respect for human rights is however essential.

Three weeks ago, a small band of armed insurgents seized on widespread dissatisfaction with Aristide’s government to rout the relatively small Haitian police units deployed outside of the capital. They quickly took control of a large portion of the country as the police force disintegrated and Aristide supporters failed to halt their advance.

The insurgents are not however gallant men driven by an unquestionable commitment to democracy. Their most prominent leaders are former police officer and alleged drug trafficker Guy Philippe, and paramilitary chief Jodel Chamblain whose group, FRAPH, terrorized Aristide supporters a decade ago in a belated attempt to maintain military rule in Haiti.

While political and civil society leaders are struggling to work out the details of a post-Aristide environment, Philippe and Chamblain have moved quickly to project themselves as Haiti’s newest liberators. They have called for the reinstatement of the Haitian army. And their men, together with vigilantes, have deliberately clashed with and killed Aristide’s chimères in Port-au-Prince’s shantytowns. Reports indicate that they have arbitrarily arrested Mr. Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, director of the Haitian Government’s Office Nationale de la Migration, and threatened to seize all other Aristide government ministers.

We have also been informed that Lavalas gang leader Franco Camille was released from jail on March 2, on the orders of Lavalas Party Senator Dany Toussaint, long suspected of involvement in the murder of democracy activist and journalist Jean Dominique. Mr. Camille has allegedly been involved in murders and mayhem under Aristide and was recently arrested for illegal firearms possession.

The United States has moved quickly to deploy marines to fill the security gap in the capital. We are pleased that the United Nations has authorized a multinational peacekeeping force of up to 5,000 in Haiti. In addition to the US, Canada, Chile and France have committed several hundred troops to the Haiti mission. Although their ground presence has perhaps convinced the rebel leaders to lay down their weapons and stop laying claims to power, more troops are needed immediately to assist with disarmament and the reestablishment of peace, justice and reconciliation in Haiti, especially in Haiti’s provincial capitals where there’s no government control. Stopping revenge killings, arbitrary arrests or prisoner releases are matters needing urgent attention if the rule of law is to prevail.

Haiti is perhaps facing its most severe crisis to date. In addition to a functioning, accountable and responsive government, its people need emergency humanitarian assistance to meet basic food, shelter, medical and potable water needs among other things. Thus, we support efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Haiti and urge Haitians to contribute as much as possible to such efforts.

Meanwhile, we urge the United States to halt all repatriations of Haitian refugees intercepted at sea, and to grant them asylum. We also urge the Bush Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitians who are here in the US for a period of no less than 18 months.

Haitians in the US are ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and contribute their skills, talents and good will to building a truly democratic and economically viable Haitian society. We call for a solid partnership with the US government in jointly formulating and implementing comprehensive responses to building the nation of Haiti. And we look forward to the day when a peaceful environment will allow the holding of democratic elections again in Haiti

## END ##

For further information, please contact:
Jocelyn McCalla
Executive Director, a.i.
National Coalition for Haitian Rights
275 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 337-0005
Email: makala99@yahoo.com

 

HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM

NCHR's Strategy

  See also:
  Judicial Reform in Haiti
  La réforme judiciaire en Haïti
Human Rights News
  Archived Human Rights News
HAITIANS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
  Overview: Mass Expulsions and Deportations
  IACHR Decision of Sep 14, 2000
  CEJIL: Comunicado de prensa
  Related Links
RESTAVÈK CAMPAIGN
  Campaign Overview
  Introduction
  How You Can Help
   Restavèk: Four-year-old Servants in Haiti - Haiti Insight Dec '96 / Jan '97
NCHR HAITI - NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINE
  Contact Information
  Open Letter to the Haitian National Police
  Open Letter to the Haitian Minister of Justice
  December 2001 Report
  NCHR Calls on Haiti's President to Ensure Safety of Human Rights Advocates
MICHAEL S. HOOPER AWARD
  NCHR Pays Tribute to Jean Léopold Dominique
  Event Photos
  The Sound of Silence
  more on . . .
    Jean L. Dominique
    Michèle Montas
    Michael S. Hooper
RELATED SOURCES ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
 

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti (1994)

 

Peacebuilding in Haiti: Findings of the International Peace Academy regarding challenges to peacebuilding in Haiti.

  Peace Brigades International, Haiti: Reports from the PBI contingent in Haiti on conflict resolution and political challenges.
  Situation of Human Rights in Haiti: Report of the UN Commission on Human Rights, 1996.
  MICIVIH OEA/ONU: La police nationale d'Haiti et les droits de l'homme
  State Department 1997 Haiti Report
  Haiti Held Hostage
Report of the Watson Institute
  Amnesty International Report
HAITI Steps Forward, Steps Back: Human Rights 10 Years After the Coup (27/09/2001)

 

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