21814: erzilidanto: Re: Violent arrest of So Ann-the sort of "democracy" brought by the U.S.A (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Erzilidanto@aol.com

URGENT ACTION APPEAL
*****
Re: Campaign One - Stop U.S. military and brutal political repression of
unarmed Lavalas civilians and systematic de-mobilization of the mass electorate by
big U.S. and Haitian business and their Western military forces in Haiti.
Arrest of So Anne and handcuffing of five-year old Shashou by full metal
jacket U.S. soldiers in the dead of night in Haiti.
From: Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
Date: May 10, 2004
Action: Please circulate. Press your local and national media and newspapers
to report the wholesale slaughter in Haiti today of thousands of unarmed
Haitians while U.S. soldiers are on the ground, and, even participating in these
crimes against humanity. This river of blood of mainly anyone accused of "voting
for Aristide" or being affiliated with someone who "voted or supported the
Constitutionally elected President of Haiti" cannot match the one or two
killings per week the New York Times, CNN and other mainstream media were so ready to
report and exaggerate when the purpose was to show up the democratically
elected Aristide/Neptune government's lost of control before the U.S.-orchestrated
Coup D'etat and Bush Regime change.
*

Below is a reporting of the midnight arrest (in French) on May 10, 2004, of
well known Haitian progressive, Annette Auguste, otherwise known as "So Anne."

On or about 12:30 on May 10, 2004, the U.S. military, acting as the
Multinational Interim Force in Haiti violently gained entrance to the home of Annette
Auguste,
aka as "So Anne."

No Haitian police were present at the time of the forcible entry, at the time
of interrogations or during the arrests. The Us. soldiers are said to have
blown up the gate where So Anne was living and accused her of making threats
against the MIF.

Freedom of speech is no longer a civil rights for Haitians, especially
Lavalas progressives.

At a press briefing today, MIF CJTF Pub. Affairs officer Col. David Lapan
reportedly said, in sum, when asked why such force was used to make this arrest,
that in operations of this type it is necessary to use violence in order to
show the individuals who are the objects of the operation that the MIF means
business. (See French report below.) Haitian who had any doubt as to the current
status of Haitian sovereignty need no longer ask.
The U.S. military, through Colonel David Lapan, have clearly implied, that
Haiti is under occupation, and war rules known only to U.S. officers.  Although
the curfew have been lifted, by this action last night, it is reasonable to
say, Haiti is under U.S. martial law while Ambassador Foley puts every word that
comes out of U.S. puppet head, Mr. Latorture.

Annette Auguste (aka, "So Anne) is an elderly Haitian woman, whose life has
been dedicated to the Lavalas Movement for democracy and development in Haiti.
As a well-respected elder and community leader, her house is a meeting ground,
as is the normal Haitian custom, for people to come and eat, gather, share
news and solidarity. The Haitian Constitution guarantees Haitian citizens the
right, not to be arrested or terrorized without due cause, especially it
outlines no arrest warrants may be excised between 6pm and 6 am at night.

Yet, last night, May 10, 2004, on or about 12:30 am, a strong contingent of
U.S. soldiers, from the Multinational Interim Force in Haiti apparently decided
to forego Haitian and international law and practice warfare games on this
elderly grandmother's unarmed household.

Instead of knocking at the door, providing proof of charges and making a
legal arrest, at a reasonable and Constitutionally approved hour for arrests, the
U.S. soldiers, armed with the world's most sophisticated war instruments,
threw a grenade and blew up this elderly Haitian woman gates and forcibly entered
her home.

All the people in her house, some 11 people, including her 5-year old grand
daughter, Shashou, where forced to the ground and were handcuffed by U.S.,
soldiers armed in heavy artillery.

Let's reiterate, a 5-year old Haitian baby girl, handcuffed by the world's
most powerful soldiers at midnight in her grandmother's home!

This is the sort of "law and order" and democracy Haitians are subjected to
after their Constitutionally elected President was, himself, forced out of
Haiti by U.S. and French soldiers at gunpoint.

This is the sort of "law" "order" and "democracy" the Bush Administration is
bringing to the world, while Secretary of State, Colin Powell, ushers the
illegitimate U.S. replacement, Mr. Latorture, to shrimp and lobster dinners at the
Harvard Club in New York today.

After, the U.S. soldiers, with grenades, blew up the gates at So Anne's
house, they then shot, with powerful automatic weapons, the hapless defenseless
yard dogs and children pets who were barking in the yard at the rude entry in the
dead of night.

Photos taken of So Anne's house show that a lot of damage was done.  Also
from news reports, it the U.S. admitted, through Col. Lapan press conference, that

there was no evidence of any weapons at So Anne's house. Thus, the use of
such excessive force and the hour of the operation is rendered even more illegal
and clearly a violation of the Haitian Constitutional, Haitian sovereignty and
international treaties, not to mention the OAS and UN charter.

Moreover, in the context of the U.S. citizenry current concerns over
treatment of individuals in US custody in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, this
May 10, 2004, excessive force and handcuffing, terrorizing at past midnight of
Haitian civilians, who where then not accused of any crime is especially
egregious.

All 11 people at So Anne's house where transported to the U.S. barracks at
the Medical University the U.S. shut down upon arriving in Haiti, a country
without doctors, and interrogated. None where charged. No apologies given. They
were release, except that Lavalas militant, So Anne, was then delivered, after
U.S. interrogation, to the Haitian National Penitentiary. No official charges
have been cited. Presumably, the Interim Multinational Force has the authority,
by virtual of what law? to use military force against a Haitian citizen,
without even the presence of Haitian authorities or any Haitians whatsoever?

Haitian children, even 5-year old baby girls in Haiti, needed to be
handcuffed by grown U.S. soldiers in the dead of night.

Thus, it is clear, our malnourished and defenseless Haitian children no
longer have to get on overloaded Haitian boats, face shark infested open seas and
reach Miami to be terrorized by U.S. guards. Now in Haiti itself they don't
have sanctuary. Even at their very own grandmother's houses.

This situation is more than illegal, It's barbaric. Haitians are flesh and
blood human beings with heart beats, pains, dreams, desires for beauty and peace.

Why are they so persecuted by the most powerful of peoples? And dare we quote
President Bush in reference to a statement made about the U.S. soldier's
torture of Iraqi prisoners in U.S. custody, and say, the handcuffing and arrest of
a 5-year old baby-girl at midnight on May 10, 2004; even the killing of
defenseless pets in the yard of a grandmother in Haiti awaken by U.S. grenades, not
too mention the arrest of So Ann and her entire household, one of Haiti's
most tireless pro-democracy activists, is simply too naked and revolting a
lawlessness; and, for those who still believe in the untainted goodness of the U.S.
government: it's simply "un-American" to borrow that recent phrase used by
President George W. Bush.

It is reported this U.S. orchestrated show of force is to further pressure,
intimidate and otherwise stop other such Lavalas activists requesting the
return of democracy to Haiti from holding a demonstration intended for May 18,
2004, Haiti's flag day.


*

More than 3,000 Haitians, mostly young Haitian men associated or rumored to
be associated with the Lavalas party have been killed in Haiti since the U.S.
deposed President Aristide itself on February 29, 2004. In a bare two months,
this bloodbath and killing of 3,000 Haitians represents more than half the
number of Haitians that were killed during the entire three years of the first
Coup D'etat. More than 3,000 defenseless Haitians have been killed since U.S.
soldiers landed in Haiti for this 2nd Coup d'etat against Haitian development and
democracy. Yet, the reason given by Colin Powell for the MIF and forcing out
of President Aristide was "to avoid a bloodbath."

According to current reports, as of April 26, 2004 - less than two months
after U.S. and French soldiers forced Haiti's Constitutionally elected President
unto a U.S. aircraft - this Bush Administration's illegal interdiction policy
towards Haitian asylum seekers has resulted in Washington returning 1,948
Haitians to Haiti in 2004, already an increase, according to the U.S. Coast Guard,
over the 1,490 intercepted at sea for the entire 2003 year. And yet, the
State Department's propaganda to destabilize the Constitutional government, had
promised the Haitian people a better human rights record than that of the
previous two Lavalas voted-in governments?

There is now a strong dossier of the 14-year destabilization campaign against
Haitian democracy and development by the powerful Western Nations, led by the
U.S. The violent arrest of So Ann, her 5-year old granddaughter and 10 other
people at her house at midnight on May 10, 2004 and similar brutal conduct by
the U.S. military against Lavalas -- the party whom State Department
propaganda insisted, before the Coup D'etat, no longer supported President Aristide is
too blatant to need deeper investigation.

The U.S. Marines did not leave So Anne's house until around 2 or 2:30 a.m. on
May 10, 2004. The house of this well-known Haitian woman and Lavalas
activists was brutally ransacked and all the occupants, including, as we have noted
above, small children as young as 5-year old, where taken in custody, in the
dead of night and transported to the Medical University at Tabarre. Some of the
detainees report they were interrogated about their role under the
Constitutional government, including questioned regarding whether they knew "Danny
Toussaint was a drug trafficker?" and what where they planning at the house so late
at night, et.

It is reported, by these eyewitnesses and detainees, that excessive force was
used in putting them into custody. They had no warning and some still are
trembling from the encounter and that they were terrorized during

the interrogations by U.S. soldiers. No one can say what this how this trauma
will damage the children involved, not to mentioned the adults who were
already managing the U.S./France metered out Coup D'etat's post traumatic stress
syndrome. Imagine waking up and all that you have worked for your entire life
has been trashed and defiled while the duly elected President is kidnapped to
parts unknown. The trauma is tremendous for the majority of Haitians who do not
support dictatorship and wanted to move from elections to elections, not from
Coup d'etat to dictatorship and the rule of the old status quo Duvalieriest
and their FRAPH  and Haitian army soldiers.

No charges where pressed against any of the twelve Haitian detainees taken
from So Anne's house, including the small children. Except that So Anne

was arrested and transferred to the National Penitentiary after having been

interrogated all night. Just as with the kidnapping of President Aristide and
his wife, this operations was conducted without any Haitian present other
than the foreign soldiers.

The MIF apparently transferred So Anne to the custody of the PNH without
charging her with any crime. But, it has been reported, after the arrest, and
before any formal charges have been brought that NCHR - a human rights
organization with strong ties to USAID, the U.S. Embassy, the right wing Haiti Democracy
Project and the opposition to President Aristide and the Lavalas party- has
accused So Anne of "some connection" to the December 5th violent incidents at
the University.  However, these innuendoes are not supported by NCHR by any
facts as of yet.

Moreover, other Haitian popular organizational leaders, currently in hiding
for fear of similar U.S. reprisals, have opined that they suspect this arrest
is a pretext to prevent So Anne from taking part in a demonstration demanding
the return of the rule of law and President Aristide planned for May 18, 2004 -
Haiti's Flag Day.

Also, grassroots organizers and pro-democracy leaders in the U.S. who are
against this U.S. sponsored dictatorship with Latorture and who also support the
call for return of law and democracy to Haiti say this latest U.S. military
operation against Haitian democracy is an effort to forestall a pro-Aristide
demonstration intended for Flag Day, May 18, 2004.

So Ann is an elderly woman on medication and has yet to be charged or to see
a judge in accordance with the 48 hour rule under the 1987 Haitian
Constitution.

The dead on night timing, the brutal targeted reprisal against this well
known Haitian

woman, and  pro-democracy activist - So Ann - by U.S. forces, the arbitrary

nature, all, call for immediate investigation by international human rights

organizations, the international media, U.S. congresspersons, Secretary
Powell and the State Department.

Haitian children, even 5-year old baby girls in Haiti, need to be handcuffed
by grown U.S. soldiers in the dead of night.

Our Haitian children no longer have to get on overloaded Haitian boats, face
shark infested open seas and reach Miami to be terrorized by U.S. guards.

Now, in Haiti itself, they don't have sanctuary.

Even more poignant, our Haitian children, don't, in this 200 year of our
ancestor's greatest feat against enslavement and colonialism, have asylum,
justice, sanctuary at their own grandmother's houses on Haitian soil.

This situation is more than illegal, it's barbaric, untenable. And dare we
quote President Bush in reference to the U.S. soldier's torture of Iraqi
prisoners, and say, the handcuffing and arrest of a 5-year old baby-girl at midnight
on May 10, 2004; even the killing of defenseless dogs in the yard of a
grandmother in Haiti awaken by U.S. grenades, not too mention the arrest of So Ann
and her entire household, one of Haiti's most tireless pro-democracy activists,
is simply too naked and revolting a lawlessness. It's "un-American" to borrow
that recent phrase used by President George W. Bush.

It is reported this U.S. orchestrated show of force is to pressure,
intimidate and otherwise stop other such Lavalas activists requesting the return of
democracy to Haiti from holding a demonstration intended for May 18, 2004,
Haiti's flag day.

This is an urgent call to action. Please contact the State Department,
Defense Secretary Colin Powell, your local congressperson, the Congressional Black
Caucus and media, to denounce the arrest of So Anne; the systematic terror
campaign against Lavalas demonstrators, and the treatment of Haitians, like So
Anne, and especially her 5-year old granddaughter, Shashou, by U.S. command with
the Multinational Interim Force in Haiti.

Marguerite Laurent, JD,
Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network (dedicated to protecting the civil, human
and cultural rights of Haitians at home and abroad)
May 10, 2004
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/campaigns/campaigns.html

********



Port-au-Prince, 10 mai 2004 -(AHP)- La militante bien connue Annette Auguste

dit Sò Anne et 11 membres de sa famille ont été arrêtés dimanche soir vers

minuit à leur domicile à Delmas. 


Des rafales d'armes lourdes ont été tirées, créant la panique dans tout le

quartier. 


Le fils de madame auguste, Ralph Samedi, qui a été libéré par la suite avec

10 autres membres de la famille, a fait savoir que ces arrestations ont été

effectuées par des marines américains avec beaucoups de fracas. 


Les militaires américains ont causé, a-t-il dit, d'importants dégâts

matériels en défonçant des portes à l'aide d'armes sophistitiquées, brisé

les pare-brise de véhicules et lancé des grenades. Ils ont menotté tous les

occupants de la maison dont un enfant de 5 ans, a-t-il dit. 


Un chien aurait également été déchiqueté  au moment de l'opération. 


Ralph Samedi dit lier cette arrestation  à une campagne visant à intimider

les partisans d'Aristide et les dissuader d'organiser le 18 mai une

manifestation contre la violence à travers le pays. 


Le porte-parole de la force multinationale, David Lapan a a fait savoir pour

sa part que Sò Anne avait été arrêté parce qu'elle aurait dit du mal des

soldats étrangers et de la police nationale.  


"Si ma mère a tenu des propos menaçants à l'encontre de la force

multinationale, il faudra qu'on dise sur quelle Radio, sur quelle

télévison", a rétorqué M. Samedi. 


Mais la NCHR affirme plutôt que son arrestation serait liée à son éventuelle

implication dans les incidents violents du 5 décembre 2003 à la faculté des

Sciences humaines. 


David Lapan qui dit reconnaitre qu'aucune arme n'a été tiré du domicile de

Sò Anne et qu'aucune arme illégale n'y a été trouvée, affirme que les

marines ont utilisé la manière forte au cours de leur opération pour

persuader les occupants de la maison qu'ils étaient capables de se

défendre. 


Annette Auguste avait subi récemment une intervention chirurgicale et son

médecin lui avait recommandé  de garder la maison, a rapporté son fils. 


Pour sa part, le juge de paix Marcenau Salomon qui a  fair le constat de

l'intervention affirme avoir relevé d'importants dégâts matériels. 


Toutefois,  M. Salomon a déclaré que les types d'armes utilisées lors de

cette descente des lieux ne pourront être identifiés  qu'après expertise. 


Le porte-parole de Fanmi Lavalas Gilvert Agervil, a dénoncé l'arrestation de

Sò Anne qu'il qualifie d'illégale. 


Ce que  veulent les autorités de fait, a-t-il dit, c'est de mettre sous les

verrous tous les dirigeants et membres de Fanmi Lavalas, persécuter,

harceler et pousser dans le maquis tous les partisans du Parti à travers le

pays. 


Voilà le type de démocratie qu'ils voulaient en réclamant de l'étranger

qu'il fasse partrir le président Aristide", a lancé Gilvert Angervil qui

invite les organisations de défense des droits de l'homme à dénoncer et

réclamer l'arrêt de cette escalade. 


Le porte-parole de Fanmi Lavalas appelle également la population à réclamer

de façon pacifique la fin des persécutions et des violences.


AHP 10 mai 2004  10:40 AM 


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annette Auguste arrêtée  dimanche soir sous l'accusation d'avoir tenu des

propos menaçants contre les soldats de la force multinationale, selon David

Lapan

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 




Port-au-Prince, 10 mai 1004 &endash;(AHP)- Le porte-parole de la force

multinationale David Lapan, a fait savoir lundi que la militante Lavalas

Annette Auguste a été arrêteé dans la nuit de dimanche pour avoir tenu de

mauvais propos à l'encontre des soldats de la force multinationale et des

agents de la police nationale. 


La force multinationale voulait interroger Mme Annette Aguste sur les

déclarations qu'on lui prête et selon lesquelles, elle représenterait une

manace pour les soldats de la force multinationale ainsi que pour les

policiers.  


L'audition a eu lieu, mais Sò Anne n'a pas été libérée comme les autres

membres  de sa famille, puisque  la PNH qui n'était pas présente au moment

des arrestations a fait savoir  qu'elle avait un mandat d'arrestation contre

la militante. 


David Lapan a expliqué que les violences utilisées pour pénétrer chez Sò

Anne sont motivées par le fait que les soldats voulaient  surprendre et

démontrer qu'ils disposaient de gros moyens. 


Il a souligné qu'aucune arme illégale n'a été trouvée sur la militante

Lavalas et qu'aucun échange de tirs n'a été enregistré. 


M. Lapan appelle tous ceux contre lesquels un mandat à se rendre à la police

de peur d'être victimes de ces genres d'interventions musclées.


AHP 10 mai 2004 4:20 PM


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annette Auguste arrêtée pour son implication présumée dans les événements du

5 décembre 2003 à la faculté des Sciences Humaines, selon La NCHR

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 




Port-au-Prince, 10 mai 1004 &endash;(AHP)- La Coalition Nationale pour les

Droits des Haïtiens (NCHR) a fait savoir lundi que la militante Lavalas Mme

Annette Auguste dit Sò Anne, aurait été arrêtee pour son implication dans

les incidents violents du 5 décembre 2003 à la faculté des Sciences

Humaines. 


Un porte-parole de la NCHR Vilès Alizar, qui a visité Sò Anne au Pénitentier

National, a déclaré que cette cette dernière est accusée d'avoir mis à la

disposition des membres d'Organisations Populaires  les moyens dont ils

disposaient pour s'attaquer aux étudiants 


Selon Vilès Alizar, le parquet du tribunal civil de Port-au-Prince avait

voulu entendre Sò Anne ce lundi mais l'audition n'a pas eu lieu, en raison

de l'absence de son avocat vu que son avocat ne s'était pas présenté. 


Dans ses déclarations à la NCHR, Mme Annette Auguste a confirmé que les

militaires américains ont fait des dégâts materiels considérables. 


Vilès Alizar a demandé aux autorités judiciaires de respecter les droits de

Annette Auguste en traitant son dossier de manière impartiale. 


"Sò Anne est gardée en prison dans les conditions de detention normales", a

fait savoir M. alizar qui a toutefois jugé son arrestation illégale, ayant

été opérée sans mandat. 


Le porte-parole de la force multinationale, David lapan a indiqué lors d'un

point de presse ce lundi que Annette Auguste a été arrêtée parce qu'elle

aurait tenu des propos désobligeants vis-à-vis des soldats étrangers et des

membres de la PNH.


AHP 10 mai 2004 4:30 PM

******


**********

"Men anpil chaj pa lou"  is Kreyol for - "Many hands make light a heavy load."

See, The Haitian Leadership Networks'  7 "men anpil chaj pa

lou" campaigns to help restore Haiti's independence, the will of the mass
electorate and the rule of law. See,
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/haitianlawyers.html ; http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/concerns.html

and Haitiaction.net

********

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