20865: Esser: Fanmi Lavalas denounces a campaign of systematic repression (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

AHP  Agence Haïtienne de Presse

March 22, 2004

Fanmi Lavalas denounces a campaign of systematic repression
orchestrated against its supporters in several regions of the country

Port-au-Prince, March 22, 2004 -(AHP)- The Fanmi Lavalas Political
Organization spoke out Monday against what it termed a campaign of
systematic repression orchestrated against its supporters in several
regions of the country, particularly in the vicinity of Cap-Haïtien,
in the Artibonite region, in Trou du Nord and in the Central Plateau.

In a news release copied to AHP,  Fanmi Lavalas spokesperson Gilvert
Angervil  indicated that many supporters of the party have been
killed, déchoukés (a Kreyol term for "uprooted", often with violence)
or reported disappeared.

This is a campaign, he asserted, aimed at dismantling Fanmi Lavalas
to the benefit of the parties belonging to what was until recently
the opposition political Platform.

He expressed hope that measures will be adopted to put an end to the
persecution and violence carried out against Fanmi Lavalas activists.

Mr. Angerville also criticized the manner in which the new government
team of Gérard Latortue was put together.

According to the former Deputy from La Gonave, this government was
formed in violation of the constitution, as well as the proposal for
resolving the crisis proposed by CARICOM which foresaw, he said, the
formation of a government of national unity.

Fanmi Lavalas, which has become the opposition ever since the
overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, pointed out that the
formula for putting in place this government can not in any way
reassure party supporters who are the object of extremely serious
persecution. Nor can it lead to peace and national reconciliation,
said Gilvert Angervil. 

Several other officials of the Fanmi Lavalas Party also denounced
this Monday the recent calls for violence issued against members of
the party.

In particular they denounced individuals who have publicly urged that
people tie up Fanmi Lavalas supporters with hoops wherever they are
to be found.

Three men were discovered dead and tied up with barrel hoops this
Monday at Fronts Forts Street.

At least ten corpses were also discovered at Cité Militaire.



AHP   Agence Haïtienne de Presse

March 22, 2004

A professor who is a member of Fanmi Lavalas denounces the
continuation of abuses against party supporters in the north of the
country

Port-au-Prince, March 22, 2004 -(AHP)-  Lorgeat Claude, a young
professor who belongs to Fanmi Lavalas, criticized Monday the
physical abuses he suffered at the hands of members of the Army of
the North, who abducted him, he said, during the night of March 12.

In an interview with AHP, Lorgeat Claude explained that these men,
who were hooded and wearing camouflage clothing, had fired rounds of
machine-gun fire at his home in Barrière Bouteille, at the entrance
to the city of Cap-Haitien, before kidnapping him and taking him to a
torture center set up in a customs hall in the city.

He stated that his abductors were angry about his political
affiliation and accused him of possessing illegal weapons.

Lorgeat Claude said he was released several hours after his abduction
and denied that he possessed any illegal weapons. "No weapon was
found on me at the time of my abduction", he added.  

Lorgeat Claude has been in hiding since he was released. He said he
was severely beaten, especially on the face and the hip. He said he
still suffers from the blows he received.

Mr. Claude also explained that due to this campaign of repression,
many residents of  Cap-Haitien are starting to leave the city to take
refuge elsewhere in order to escape the fury of the armed men.

They say they fear for their security despite the deployment in the
region of French military forces who are co-habiting, they say, with
the men of the army of the north, who they say remain very active on
the ground.
.