18785: Sylvain: FW: Support - FOKAL (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: patrick sylvain <sylvaipa@hotmail.com>

>From: "Lorraine Mangones" <lmangones@fokal.org>
>
>Letter of Protest against the invasion of the premises of the foundation
>from a group of organizations and institutions that work with FOKAL
>(Knowledge and Freedom Foundation)
>
>
>
>We, organizations and institutions that work with FOKAL, want to express
>our indignation and revulsion concerning the act of intimidation carried
>out against FOKAL by the police on Saturday, February 14, 2004. FOKAL is an
>institution which works in the fields of education (in particular, through
>its network of community libraries), culture and development, and which
>supports various organizations both inside and outside Port-au-Prince.
>
>
>
>When the police, heavily armed, some in uniform and some in civilian
>clothes, invaded the foundation, demanding to know what kind of meeting was
>taking place and the identity of all participants, it was a very serious
>violation of civil rights. This act was a clear indication of the nature of
>the present regime: a regime which ignores the rights guaranteed by the
>constitution; a regime that wants to muzzle free expression; a regime that
>wants to annul all the progress made since 1986. The right to assemble is
>inalienable for individuals, for organizations, and for institutions. It is
>absolutely essential that citizens be able to assemble to discuss and
>reflect on social issues, in order to make a valid contribution to the
>development of the nation. We raise a most vehement protest against this
>unacceptable act of intimidation. Yesterday, the offices of a union and a
>political party were invaded. Today, it was FOKAL, and tomorrow, it could
>be any other organization.
>
>
>
>We say NO! NO! NO! In 2004, Haiti must not regress on questions of
>fundamental liberties, on the right to organize, and the right to gather
>peacefully. In 2004, the 200th anniversary of independence, we cannot
>accept that the reign of terror is being reinstated. It is more than time
>for the Haitian people to enjoy all their civil rights. We say NO! NO! to
>intimidation and terror! We say YES! YES! to the birth and development of
>organizations. Organizations are the yeast necessary for the growth of a
>civil society that resolutely controls its destiny.
>
>
>
>Port-au-Prince, February 16, 2004
>
>Myriam Nerlet
>
>For the organizations listed below
>
>
>
>
>
>   1.. APROSIFA (Association for the promotion of family health) - Rudner
>François
>   2.. Artcho Dance/ Ayikodans - Jeanguy Saitus
>   3.. Bureau d'études TAG - Carine Clermont
>   4.. Pye Poudre Cultural Center - Paula Clermont-Pean
>   5.. CARITAS Haiti - Wilnès Tilus
>   6.. Ecumenical Council on Human Rights - Jean-Claude Bajeux
>   7.. CHANDEL (Organization for popular education) - Rosemond Joseph
>   8.. CRAD (Research Center for Development) - Anne-Marie Coriolan
>   9.. Enfofanm - Myriam Merlet
>   10.. GRAMIR (Rural research and support group) - Agnus Laraque
>   11.. Fanm Yo La - Louna Garçon
>   12.. Kay Fanm - Yolette Jeanty
>   13.. Konbit Fanm SAJ (Women's co-op) - Maryse Jean-Charles
>   14.. FEDA (Experimental Bee Farm) - Ernst Mathurin
>   15.. FIDES (International Fund for Social and Economic Development) -
>Hervé Philippe
>   16.. ITECA (Technology and Animation Institute) - Chenet Jean-Baptiste
>   17.. NCHR (National Coalition for Human Rights) - Vilès Alizar
>   18.. POHDH (Platform of Haitian Organizations for Human Rights) -
>Elifaite Saint-Pierre
>   19.. Tèt Kole Ti Peyizan (Peasants' Co-op) - Jacqueline Augustin
>   20.. REFRAKA (Haitian Women's Community Radio Network) Samia Salomon
>   21.. SHAA (Haitian Society for the Blind) - Michel Pean
>   22.. Structure d'Accompagnement des Partenaires de l'Action Carême des
>Catholiques de Suisse en Haiti (Swiss Catholic Partners for Action) - Rosa
>Pares Canela
>   23.. KSIL (Co-op solidarity for identity and liberty) - Jean-William
>Jeanty
>   24.. PEJES (Girls' and Childrens' program) -Erlande Merceron
>
>
>Other organizations that do not collaborate directly with FOKAL who wish to
>add their names to this protest:
>
>UNNOH (National Union of Trained Teachers) - Josué Mérilien
>
>GAD-NIPPES - Maxime Magloire
>
>KORE-Nip - Phanord Jean-Bernard

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