#3905: Arrests spark protests after voting in Haiti (fwd)

[Robert Corbett <bcorbett@netcom.com>]

From: Rosann Clements <rosann@onemain.com>

Arrests spark protests after voting in Haiti
05/27/2000
Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Haitian rights activists on Friday denounced the
arrests of dozens of opposition politicians after an apparent election
victory by former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's party.
At least 34 opposition figures have been arrested since Sunday's vote for
Parliament and local offices. Fifteen are members of the Struggling People's
Organization, and 19 are from the five-party Space for Concord coalition.
Several more Space for Concord members were arrested in provincial towns,
said Space for Concord spokesman Evans Paul.
Louis Roy, director of the National Office for the Protection of the
Citizen, an autonomous state agency, condemned the arrests, which he said
were conducted without warrants. "We are troubled by the fact that police
have singled out members of the opposition," Mr. Roy said.
At least seven detainees were candidates - including former parliamentary
majority spokesman Sen. Paul Denis, accused of illegal firearms possession.
Police spokesman Jean-Dady Simeon said those arrested faced charges of
inciting violence, illegal arms possession, violence at the polls, threats
and other charges.