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#3069: OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Haiti - press releases (fwd)
From: Mary Durran <durranmary@hotmail.com>
Press Release
Informal Translation
30 March 2000
The OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Haiti categorically condemns the
murder in Petit-Goâve of the coordinator of the electoral campaign of the
Patriotic Movement for National Rescue (MPSN), Mr. Légitime Athis and wife.
The Mission affirms that such a murder, as well as all the other violent
incidents that have occurred during the electoral campaign, are a threat to
peaceful elections as well as to democracy in Haiti.
Therefore, the Mission calls on the police and the judiciary to open a
serious enquiry into this crime, and find and punish the guilty parties. As
it is the duty of the State to at all times combat impunity, it is
particularly important during an electoral period for crimes of this nature
to be brought promptly before the courts.
The Mission also calls on political parties to reject all forms of violence
and maintain strict discipline within their ranks.
Press Release
Informal Translation
30 March 2000
The OAS Electoral Observation Mission has been made aware of the agreement
reached over the last few days by the electoral authorities and the
political parties of the Grande Anse, in an effort to find a solution to
the electoral crisis in Anse d?Hainault. According to the principal parties
involved, the crisis was provoked by the illegal disqualification of a
mayoral candidate by the Communal Electoral Office (BEC). The national
electoral authorities have since resolved the situation.
The Mission applauds this important initiative and congratulates the parties
involved, who have shown a spirit of dialogue and flexibility in their goal
to resolve this crisis, which threatened to deprive the citizens of Anse
d?Hainault of their right to vote. Such initiatives are a model for
conflict resolution in a democratic society and this spirit of dialogue is
the only way to guarantee democratic development in Haiti.
The Mission calls on the parties to respect the commitments made to
facilitate the legislative, municipal and local elections in the commune of
Anse d?Hainault. The Mission also encourages all political movements of the
Grande Anse to join this process of negotiation. In doing so, they will
ensure in a democratic manner that their concerns about the electoral
process in this commune are taken into account.
The Electoral Observation Mission emphasizes that it is vital that the
legislative, municipal and local elections take place in Anse d?Hainault, as
well as the rest of the country on a date that will allow Parliament to
convene on the constitutionally-mandated second Monday of June. Through its
regional office in Jérémie, the Mission will continue to closely follow the
electoral situation in Anse d?Hainault. The Mission reaffirms the
importance of parliamentary, municipal and local elections for the
consolidation of democracy in Haiti.
For further information, please contact the press officer Mary Durran on 511
5690 or 403 0219 or the coordinator of the regional office in Jérémie,
Alfred John on 284 5721.
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