19048: Esser: Rebels, like government forces, must respect human rights (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Amnesty International

Haiti: Rebels, like government forces, must respect human rights

press release, 23/02/2004

Rebel leaders have the responsibility to respect human rights and
ensure that humanitarian assistance has access, said Amnesty
International as rebel forces took control of Haiti's second largest
city Cap Haïtien, setting the northern half of the country outside
the sphere of state control.

"A number of rebel leaders have abysmal human rights records, raising
serious concern about levels of violence, as well as the humanitarian
situation, in the areas under their control," Amnesty International
said today. "As a matter of urgency, rebel forces must respect the
rights of all Haitians as they expand their region of influence."

Rebel leader Guy Philippe is reported as saying that up to eleven
people were killed in the taking of Cap Haïtien on Sunday; it was not
possible to confirm those figures.

Amnesty International also repeated its calls for police and armed
government supporters to respect human rights. In one worrying
incident in Port-au-Prince on Friday 20 February, a Haitian
correspondent and a foreign cameraman were reportedly among nearly a
dozen people injured when pro-government gang members attacked an
opposition demonstration.

On the political front, international bodies have joined forces to
propose a settlement of Haiti's political crisis.

Representatives of CARICOM, the Organisation of American States, the
European Union, the United States, Canada and France proposed a
settlement, agreed to by Haiti's president Jean Bertrand Aristide,
whereby a multisectoral 'council of wise men' would name a new Prime
Minister and a new Cabinet to help him govern.

The political opposition initially rejected the plan, but has
reportedly been given until 22:00 GMT today to give a formal response.

The rebel forces are not included in the plan.

"Any political settlement must be grounded in the rule of law, and
ultimately in the Haitian Constitution, if all parties involved in
the conflict are truly committed to finding a peaceful and lasting
solution," Amnesty International concluded.

Background Information
Rebel leaders include notorious figures such as Louis Jodel Chamblain
and Jean Tatoune, convicted of gross human rights violations
committed a decade ago. Their forces are reported to include a number
of former soldiers implicated in human rights abuses in the Central
Plateau region of Haiti over the last year.
.