21087: (Hermantin)Miami-Herald- Letter-Haiti government must prosecute all criminals (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Sun, Apr. 04, 2004




GERALD ORIOL JR.,


Haiti government must prosecute all criminals, not just of Lavalas


The Haitian government should ensure that the judicial system follows due
process as outlined by the laws of Haiti, that it is impartial and that
those responsible for corruption and other crimes, regardless of their
political affiliation, are arrested and tried.

In the past few weeks, dozens of arrests have been made throughout Haiti.
Notorious criminals accused of perpetuating massacres in St. Marc have been
arrested. Countless other people have been prevented from leaving the
country because of ongoing investigations.

All of these extraordinary measures taken by the Haitian government give
hope that justice finally will prevail in Haiti -- except for one thing. So
far, all those who have been arrested or sequestered are former Lavalas
thugs and party members. This gives the perception that a vendetta, not
justice, is taking place. This is similar to the judicial system under
deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's corrupt regime. Known
human-rights abusers, henchmen and drug traffickers who opposed Aristide are
roaming the streets as though they already had been judged free of any crime
or received clemency.

The Haitian government cannot prosecute some and ignore the crimes of others
because of their political allegiance. All criminals -- Lavalas, former
Lavalas, opposition and nonaffiliated alleged criminals -- should be
arrested and tried for their misdeeds. Let justice prevail in Haiti once and
for all.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti


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