Human Rights Archived News

Haiti: The Most Expensive Elections To Date May Yield Little Benefit
New York, November 21, 2005 -- Haiti is lurching towards national elections that may cost the impoverished country as much as $100 million. “These elections may be the most expensive Haitian vote to date,” says Jocelyn McCalla, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR), “but conditions for stable democratic progress barely exist. Consequently, electoral democracy may not trigger the functional democracy that Haitians yearn for.” >>>

Courage, Jacques
New York,  August 1, 2005 -- On July 14, 2005, unidentified criminals dumped the body of Haitian journalist, poet and democracy activist Jacques Roche in the middle of a busy thoroughfare in Port-au-Prince. Mr. Roche was seized on July 10, a victim of kidnappings, the new growth industry in Haiti. His captors, who claimed allegiance to former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, had demanded an outrageous sum of money for his release. According to press reports, he was found half-naked with his hands tied behind his back, his tongue cut off, evidence of torture on his torso and extremities, and bullet wounds to the head.

Mr. Roche was buried on July 21, 2005. On this occasion, NCHR board member Michele Montas, published a “Note to Jacques Roche,” which can be found on our web site in English and French. In her “note,” Ms. Montas -- whose husband, Jean Leopold Dominique, was killed in broad daylight on April 3, 2000 on the steps of Radio Haiti Inter -- reminds us all that many will rise to “say no to the unacceptable just as they said no for Jean Dominique and Brignol Lindor. The difference is that today the unacceptable has become the norm as a result of so many unpunished crimes.” The "note" can be read in its entirety in French or English, just by clicking on the appropriate link.

New York, March 11, 2005 -- NCHR-Haiti Does Not Speak for the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) >>>

In Keeping With Tradition, Haiti Delivers Swift Injustice
New York, August 17, 2004 -- In less than 24 hours and under cover of darkness, Haiti settled the case of the People of Haiti vs. Chamblain, acquitting the latter of the murder of Antoine Izmery, a businessman killed in broad daylight in 1993 because of his opposition to military rule. >>>

Chamblain's Trial Likely To Be a Whitewash
New York, August 12, 2004 -- The government of Haiti has announced that rebel commander Louis Jodel Chamblain and former Haitian army captain Jackson Joanis will be among those put on trial next week. >>>

Haiti: What of the Rule of Law?
New York, March 21, 2004 -- If Haiti is to rid itself of its destructive cycle of lawlessness and political upheavals, its leaders must resolutely break with the past to rapidly establish and promote respect for human rights and the rule of law. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the transitional government’s priority. >>>

For Haiti to Live, The Rule of Law Must Be Established Promptly
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. Now, 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. >>>

Haiti Needs Substantial International Investment In Rule of Law Institutions
New York, February 22, 2004 -- President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s autocratic rule is nearly over. If democracy is to succeed in Haiti, the US and its allies must invest substantially in the development of neutral police forces and courts. >>>

Right to Peaceful Assembly Denied in Haiti
New York, December 5, 2003 -- NCHR Executive Director Jocelyn McCalla condemns the Haitian government's violent suppression of peaceful student march and rally. >>>

Haitian Coalition Denounces the Government of Haiti's Unilateral Rush to Hold Elections
New York,August 18, 2003 -- The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) decries the government of Haiti's announcement last week that parliamentary and municipal elections will be held on November 23, 2003, with no provisions made to address widespread concerns for the electoral process' security and fairness.

Haitian Coalition Condemns Recent Wave of Violence in Haiti:
Calls on All Actors to Play Their Part to Find a Peaceful Resolution
New York, July 28, 2003 -- The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) is deeply distressed by increasing incidents of violence in Haiti, which threaten to destroy all hopes, however faint, of finding a negotiated settlement to a political stalemate that has dragged on for more than three years.

Three Years Later: The Jean Dominique Case and the State of Human Rights in Haiti
New York, April 3, 2003 -- Today on the third anniversary of the assassination of Jean Léopold Dominique and Jean Claude Louissaint, the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) is deeply disturbed by and denounces the lack of any significant progress in the case.

Symposium to Address Haiti's Crisis
New York, March 11, 2003 -- On Thursday, March 13th, the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) will join a number of distinguished panelists at a workshop being hosted by they Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C.  Entitled, "Haiti: Ideas for Political and Economic Development," this on-the-record discussion will examine the political, economic, and social gridlock that have gripped the country in recent years.

Haitian Coalition Expresses Grave Concern Over Violence And Growing Chaos In Haiti
New York, December 3, 2002 -- The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) is deeply distressed by the events of the last two weeks in Haiti which have left dozens of people, including high school and university students, critically injured or dead, several radio stations burned and a trail of destruction in cities and provinces from the north of the country through Port-au-Prince, its capital.

Victory in the Fight for Justice for the Guacimal Prisoners
"Prizon pou Kriminel! Libète pou Peyizan!"
Port-au-Prince, 21 Aug 2002 -- At a powerful and peaceful demonstration in front of the Ministry of Justice on Monday, August 19, 2002, more than fifty (50) human rights defenders and members of the union Batay Ouvriye gathered in solidarity, demanding the immediate release of nine (9) Guacimal peasants and union workers illegally arrested and arbitrarily detained since May 27 of this year.*

Haitian Coalition Expresses Grave Concern Over growing Violence in Haiti
New York, 7 Aug 2002 -- The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) is deeply troubled by the recent jailbreak in Gonaïves, Haiti and the ensuing violence and chaos that have consumed that city and threaten to spread to other provinces.

Haitian Coalition Disturbed by Recent Surge of Human Rights Violations: Recommends National Plan
New York, 4 Aug 2002 -- The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) is gravely concerned about the progressive but clear deterioration of the situation of human rights in Haiti as evidenced by the continuing violence toward human rights defenders, journalists, union and opposition members such as the continued threats to recently kidnapped journalist Israel Jacky Cantave that have made him silence his radio show.

NCHR Reports on the Attack at Guacimal on May 27th
Port-au-Prince, 31 May 2002 -- On May 27, 2002, a conflict between members of of Batay Ouvriye and workers of the company Guacimal, S.A., escalated and took a violent turn.

Justice for Jean Dominique – Two Years On: A Message of Solidarity with Haitian Organizations Working for Justice
New York, 3 April  2002 -- NCHR, the Committee to Prosecute Duvalier, the Haiti Support Group, Human Rights Watch, the International Legal Resources Centre, Rights & Democracy, Trocaire, the Washington Office on Latin America and the World Association on Christian Communication express their solidarity with the Jean Dominique Echo Foundation, as well as with all the Haitian organizations working for justice and an end to impunity.

Aristide Government Scorecard Issued by Haitian Rights Coalition
New York, 6 February 2002 -- NCHR (Haiti) issued a brief 7-page report on President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's performance since he took office a year ago on February 7.

Haitian Coalition Expresses Grave Concern Over Recent Violence in Haiti
New York, 19 December 2001 -- NCHR is deeply distressed by the armed attacks on the National Penitentiary and the National Palace perpetrated on Monday morning, December 17, 2001.

Congressional Black Caucus Asks President Bush to Resume Aid to Haiti
8 November 2001 -- An open letter to President Bush

Haitian Coalition Calls on Haiti's President to Ensure Safety of Human Rights Advocates
New York, 30 October 2001 -- NCHR, in response to a communiqué received this morning from the NCHR Haiti office in Port-au-Prince, is calling on the President and the government of Haiti to ensure that threats received by the staff of NCHR Haiti and its partners in the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations are immediately investigated and the perpetrators brought swiftly to justice.

Human Rights in Haiti – September 2001 Report
Human rights advocates were active during the month of September as a series of events and fundamental human rights violations continue to plague the country. September was marked by the remembrance of significant dates in Haiti’s violent past.
5 October 2001

Haitian Rights Coalition Urges Unity to March for Children’s Rights
NCHR invites you, your family and your friends to attend the March for Children’s Rights.  Because of the World Trade Center attack, the march is postponed until further notice.
12 September 2001

Haiti: Human Rights Activists Reject "Summary Executions," Criticize President
Human rights organizations are asking President Aristide to reconsider his decision following his statement about criminals. Pierre Esperance of NCHR spoke as follows.
21 June 2001

International Alliance for Justice for Jean Dominique
15 June 2001

NCHR Urges Haiti President to Fulfill Promises on Children's Rights
12 June 2001

WITNESS Releases Latest Online Video about Mass Expulsions of Individuals of Haitian Descent from the Dominican Republic
18 May 2001

Joint Statement by International Human Rights Organizations on Haiti
5 February 2001

Haitian Senate Threatens to Kill Investigation Into Reporter's Assassination
4 February 2001

NCHR Pays Tribute to Pioneer Journalist
On International Human Rights Day, NCHR honored the memory of slain Haitian journalist, Jean Leopold Dominique, with a two-hour event that was held at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
10 December 2000

Haiti Cannot Guarantee Fundamental Human Rights Protections, says NCHR Director to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
12 October 2000

Proposition d’un Accord politique pour une sortie de crise et le renforcement de la démocratie

Human Rights Groups Urge Congressional Support for the OAS-U.N. Civilian Observers' Mission in Haiti
As human rights organizations with dozens of years of experience in Haiti, we are disturbed to learn that you have placed a hold on U.S. funding for MICIVIH, threatening the mission with closure as soon as the end of May.

Fonkoze's Jeannot Found in Morgue

NCHR Laments Dominique Killing, Calls for Renewed Commitment  to Democratic Governance
4 April 2000

Elections: NCHR Deplores Delay, Calls for Vote
31 March 2000

As Haiti Stumbles Towards Elections, NCHR Urges Extension of Voter Registration Period
As Haiti lurches toward its most important elections since the ballot that brought Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power as the nation’s first democratically-elected president in 1990, ongoing problems with voter registration efforts have led NCHR to recommend that the Provisional Election Council (CEP) delay the March 19 vote for an additional month to ensure that all eligible Haitians have an opportunity to obtain a registration card.
1 March 2000

As Haiti Stumbles Towards Elections, NCHR Urges Extension of Voter Registration Period 

Human Rights Group Calls for Haiti Elections Delay
In a five-page briefing paper issued today, the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) called on Haiti’s electoral commission to plan for elections in six to eight months rather than the four months initially foreseen.
7 July 1999

NCHR Statement before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Although Haitian citizens continue to face human rights problems arising from police abuse, widespread insecurity, a non-functioning judiciary and severe economic conditions, we appear before you today to call attention to the grave political crisis now paralyzing the country and to emphasize the threat it poses to the even-modest gains in the establishment of democratic institutions and practices in Haiti since the UN/OAS intervention in 1994.
July 1999

Witness for Peace to Itinerate Speakers from Haiti and Chiapas
28 April 1999

Haitian Rights Group Urges Caution on the Road to Elections in Haiti
12 April 1999

Statement before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti
29 March 1999

Democratic Order Must Be Restored Swiftly in Haiti
2 March 2 1999  

Notes critiques sur le sondage de l'iri
Élections en Haïti: attitudes et opinions. also: English version  
23 February 1999

Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins: What Every Haitian Should know about the Crisis
16 February 1999

Why We Oppose the Dissolution of Haiti's Democratic Institutions
16 February 1999

Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins
Our country has been in a crisis for the past 18 months. This situation can be described as an "electoral crisis," first of all; next, as a "governmental crisis"; further, as a "parliamentary crisis"; and, lastly, as a "local governance crisis" (in terms of Municipal [Mayoral] and Communal Section Administrative Councils [CASECs]). These are the most apparent and preoccupying issues. However, the political crisis is profoundly deeper than many political actors and most citizens may realize.
January 1999

Why we oppose the dissolution of Haiti’s democratic institutions
The Constitution does not give the President the right to dissolve the Parliament, even if it is considered dysfunctional. It gives him the obligation to remedy the situation, that is to say, to assure its sound functioning.
January 1999

Conference Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Haiti's Constitution
7 May 1997

OAS Team to Investigate Human Rights Conditions in the Dominican Republic
5 May 1997

Honduran Judge Refuses to Extradite Michel François to the United States
21 April 1997

Chamber of Deputies Passes Law Allowing Police to Carry Heavy Weapons
21 April 1997

Special Representative Reports on Haiti To the UN Commission on Human Rights
14 April 1997

Cité Soleil, One Year Later
15 March 1997

New Presidential Guard To Be Trained
15 March 1997

NCHR Joins in Designing Anti-Violence Project
28 February 1997

Chile's Consul Murdered in Haiti
28 February 1997

UN/OAS Mission Releases Report on Human Rights In Haiti
20 February 1997

NCHR Kicks Off Another Year of Human Rights Training
20 February 1997

Conference on Haiti's Future Held in Washington, DC
11 February 1997

Haitian Lawyer Found Murdered in Port-au-Prince
11 February 1997

NCHR Makes Haiti's Truth Commission Report Available on Line for the First Time Ever
10 February 1997

U.S. State Department Report on Haiti Contains Glaring Omission
10 February 1997

Human Rights Groups Alarmed by Haiti Police Actions Call for End to Impunity
22 January 1997