19934: Blanchet: Fw: For Haiti to LIve, The Rule of Law Must Be Established Promptly (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <MaxBlanchet@worldnet.att.net>

From: "Jocelyn McCalla" <jmccalla@jmcstrategies.com>


For Haiti to Live, the Rule of Law Must be Established Promptly

Statement of Jocelyn McCalla,
Executive Director, a.i.
National Coalition for Haitian Rights



New York, March 5, 2004 -- After declaring his readiness to die in office to
save democracy, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide decided to save himself and
perhaps Haiti by fleeing, albeit reluctantly, into exile. Unfortunately his
departure is not the graceful exit that many peace-loving Haitians hoped
for. In the wake of Aristide's presidency, Haiti is a divided nation filled
with death and destruction, a shabby government, extremely weak
law-enforcement and judicial institutions, and dreams deferred. There's a
very real possibility that power will fall in the hands of rebels, whose
past record of atrocities committed on behalf of military regimes and
Aristide's rule indicate that the rule of law and respect for human rights
are the least of their concerns. For democracy to take root in Haiti,
establishing the rule of law and respect for human rights is however
essential.

Three weeks ago, a small band of armed insurgents seized on widespread
dissatisfaction with Aristide's government to rout the relatively small
Haitian police units deployed outside of the capital. They quickly took
control of a large portion of the country as the police force disintegrated
and Aristide supporters failed to halt their advance.

The insurgents are not however gallant men driven by an unquestionable
commitment to democracy. Their most prominent leaders are former police
officer and alleged drug trafficker Guy Philippe, and paramilitary chief
Jodel Chamblain whose group, FRAPH, terrorized Aristide supporters a decade
ago in a belated attempt to maintain military rule in Haiti.

While political and civil society leaders are struggling to work out the
details of a post-Aristide environment, Philippe and Chamblain have moved
quickly to project themselves as Haiti's newest liberators. They have called
for the reinstatement of the Haitian army.  And their men, together with
vigilantes, have deliberately clashed with and killed Aristide's chimères in
Port-au-Prince's shantytowns. Reports indicate that they have arbitrarily
arrested Mr. Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, director of the Haitian Government's
Office Nationale de la Migration, and threatened to seize all other Aristide
government ministers.

We have also been informed that Lavalas gang leader Franco Camille was
released from jail on March 2, on the orders of Lavalas Party Senator Dany
Toussaint, long suspected of involvement in the murder of democracy activist
and journalist Jean Dominique. Mr. Camille has allegedly been involved in
murders and mayhem under Aristide and was recently arrested for illegal
firearms possession.

The United States has moved quickly to deploy marines to fill the security
gap in the capital. We are pleased that the United Nations has authorized a
multinational peacekeeping force of up to 5,000 in Haiti. In addition to the
US, Canada, Chile and France have committed several hundred troops to the
Haiti mission. Although their ground presence has perhaps convinced the
rebel leaders to lay down their weapons and stop laying claims to power,
more troops are needed immediately to assist with disarmament and the
reestablishment of peace, justice and reconciliation in Haiti, especially in
Haiti's provincial capitals where there's no government control. Stopping
revenge killings, arbitrary arrests or prisoner releases are matters needing
urgent attention if the rule of law is to prevail.

Haiti is perhaps facing its most severe crisis to date. In addition to a
functioning, accountable and responsive government, its people need
emergency humanitarian assistance to meet basic food, shelter, medical and
potable water needs among other things. Thus, we support efforts to ensure
the delivery of humanitarian aid to Haiti and urge Haitians to contribute as
much as possible to such efforts.

Meanwhile, we urge the United States to halt all repatriations of Haitian
refugees intercepted at sea, and to grant them asylum. We also urge the Bush
Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitians who are here
in the US for a period of no less than 18 months.

Haitians in the US are ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and
contribute their skills, talents and good will to building a truly
democratic and economically viable Haitian society. We call for a solid
partnership with the US government in jointly formulating and implementing
comprehensive responses to building the nation of Haiti. And we look forward
to the day when a peaceful environment will allow the holding of democratic
elections again in Haiti


##  END ##


For further information, please contact:

Jocelyn McCalla
Executive Director, a.i.
National Coalition for Haitian Rights
275 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 337-0005
Email: makala99@yahoo.com
Web site: www.nchr.org