21376: Esser: US Guild of Lawyers commends PM for stance on Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

The Jamaica Observer
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/

April 17, 2004

Observer Reporter
US Guild of Lawyers commends PM for stance on Haiti

THE National Lawyers Guild of the United States of America has
commended Prime Minister P J Patterson for granting temporary asylum
to former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his family.

The guild has also praised Jamaica and the Caribbean Community
(Caricom) for the stance that has been taken in relation to the
circumstances surrounding Aristide's sudden departure from office,
according to a statement form Jamaica House.

The statement said that in a letter to the prime minister, the
National Lawyers Guild, which includes the American Association of
Jurists, National Conference of Black Lawyers and the Centre for
International Justice and Human Rights, located at Hastings College
University of California, commended Patterson and Caricom for
maintaining what it called fundamental legal principles that should
have been followed in relation to Aristide's departure from office.

The guild also expressed concern about the violation of both Haitian
and international law as it relates to Aristide's resignation and
said it supports the call by Caricom for an independent international
investigation and urged the region to vigorously pursue an
investigation at the United Nations.
"We are committed to pursuing this matter in the international fora,"
the letter said.

"The National Lawyers Guild said its members were pleased with
Caricom's adherence to the relevant international law standards
regarding Haiti's rights and obligations as a member of Caricom and
urged that the same 'legal rigor' be applied to Haiti's continued
participation in the Organisation of American States," said the
Jamaica House statement.

Aristide, who was ousted on February 29 and taken to the Central
African Republic, arrived in Jamaica on March 15 and was granted
asylum for up to 10 weeks from the Jamaican Government. However, he
is expected to leave shortly for permanent asylum in South Africa.
.