20863: Esser: Platform of Haitian Human Rights organizations criticizes the occupation (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

AHP News

March 23, 2004

Port-au-Prince, March 23, 2004 -(AHP)- The POHDH (Platform of Haitian
Human Rights organizations) criticized Tuesday what it called the
occupation of Haiti by French, American and Canadian forces following
the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.


In an interview with AHP, Eliphète St Pierre, the POHDH Secretary
General, called for concerted efforts by all sectors in order to end
the occupation of the country as soon as possible.  

"The majority of the vital sectors of the country is opposed to the
foreign occupation; it has been imposed upon us and we are faced with
a fait accompli", asserted Eliphète St Pierre. He said he hopes that
Haitians will mobilize to reconquer national sovereignty.  

At the same time, the POHDH leader said he was deeply concerned at
the abuses committed, he said, by military personnel from the
international force against the civilian population.

"The foreign troops have already committed several murders since
their arrival in the country and enjoy total impunity", said
 Eliphète St Pierre. 

He asked the families of victims of abuses by foreign soldiers to
organize to file complaints, while acknowledging that such a step
would be difficult in light of the current situation. 

Eliphète St Pierre also said he is encouraging human rights
organizations to accompany the victims in their quest for justice.

A day of reflection was held Saturday at the Faculty of Social
Sciences around the theme of "No to the military occupation of Haiti".

Several organizations including PAPDA (The Haitian Platform of
Advocacy for an Alternative Development), the GARR (Support Group for
Repatriated Refugees) and the ICKL (Karl Levêque Cultural Institute),
participated in the events designed by the organizers to raise
awareness.

The director of PAPDA Camille Chalmers, indicated that the occupying
forces have never resolved the problem of insecurity and
institutional problems faced by the occupied countries.  

Mr. Chalmers offered the examples of Iraq and Afghanistan, which have
yet to be rebuilt, while the population continues to pay the price,
he said.

Camille Chalmers invited the Haitian people to take its destiny into
its own hands in order, he said, to reorganize institutions and
change the structures of the State.
.