19240: erzilidanto: Haiti Action Alert (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Erzilidanto@aol.com

Health and Human Rights Crisis in Haiti

Background:  Events are unfolding very quickly in Haiti, where the government
is under armed attack from death squads associated with the now-disbanded
Haitian army.  These forces have reportedly killed at least 70 people, including
Haitian police, and have taken over the city of Cap Haitien.  The BBC has
reported that the uprising has taken a toll on Haiti’s near-nonexistent health
infrastructure, and that medical and other supplies have been blocked.
Opposition forces have refused a power-sharing proposal, and rebel forces are reported
poised to attack the capital, Port au-Prince.

Physicians for Human Rights today released a letter to Secretary Powell
expressing grave concern about the crisis, and calling for the US to support the
deployment of United Nations peacekeeping forces to restore order.  PHR also
demanded that no political figures associated with the paramilitary groups be
permitted a role in any new government that may emerge from negotiations.

Act Today!!!
PHR urges its members and student chapters to contact their Members of
Congress (www.house.gov and www.senate.gov) and convey their concern about the
health and human rights crisis in Haiti.  Key points to stress follow:

ÿ Unarmed Haitian citizens, particularly perceived as supporters of the
government of President Bertrand Aristide, are at grave risk from death squads and
paramilitary groups.  Disruptions in the movement of supplies and health
professionals also poses grave risks to the Haitian public, who suffer from the
worst health indicators in the Western Hemisphere.

ÿ President Aristide has requested the intervention of a United Nations
peacekeeping force to restore order.  We strongly support such a force, and urge
that the United States press for its deployment.

ÿ Well-known criminals who committed atrocities during the military coup
period of 1991-1994 are back in Haiti and among the death squads attacking Haitian
cities.  PHR demands that these individuals be apprehended, and those who
have been convicted should be reincarcerated to complete their sentences.  PHR
further demands that no individuals associated with the death squads be included
in any government that may be formed in negotiations to end the crisis.

ÿ Community-based public health strategies used to treat tuberculosis and
HIV/AIDS rely on health workers traveling to distant locations to deliver
medications. If those medications are not delivered due to opposition blockades,
hospital closings or a loss of workers, this could mean a death sentence for the
most vulnerable populations in Haiti.

For more information, please contact Gina Cummings at gcummings@phrusa.org