13685: (Chamberlain, news story) Political thugs target Haiti journalists, says report (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     LONDON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Threats and violence against reporters in
Haiti endanger the "critical role" of journalism on the island, Amnesty
International said in a report on Friday.
     Reporters in the impoverished Caribbean nation have been attacked and
investigations into murders of journalists are often slow and incomplete,
the human rights group said.
     "Failure to investigate thoroughly these and other serious
attacks...sends a dangerous message that journalists are legitimate
targets," Amnesty said in a statement.
     The statement cites the so-far inconclusive investigation into the
2001 killing of radio journalist Brignol Lindor, whose local mayor at the
time called for "zero tolerance" against him on the grounds he supported an
opposition party.
     Lindor's family have appealed against a decision not to indict the
then mayor.
     Haiti has witnessed a marked increase in political violence this year
including an attack on the National Palace and anti-government riots.
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has been locked in a dispute with the
opposition coalition over elections that his opponents say were biased to
favour Aristide's party.
     The fledgling democracy has repeatedly stated its commitment to
upholding freedom of expression, but the conditional nature of that support
casts doubt on the government's sincerity, Amnesty said.