24925: Mdejoie: (news) Amnesty International press release

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MDejoie@aol.com

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE


AI Index: AMR 36/002/2005 (Public)
News Service No: 112
29 April 2005
Haiti: National Police must be held accountable for killings of civilians
The use of lethal and indiscriminate violence by the police to disperse and
repress demonstrators only serves to increase tension in an already
violence-torn country, said Amnesty International today as it condemned the
repression
against Lavalas Party supporters by Haitian National Police (HNP) officers in
Port-au-Prince on 27 April.

According to reports, police officers opened fire against Lavalas supporters
demonstrating near the United Nations Mission headquarters in Bourdon,
Port-au-Prince.

At least 5 people died during the demonstration and 4 others are reported to
have died later on as a consequence of their wounds. Several demonstrators and
bystanders were also injured.

"The repression of this peaceful demonstration is not an isolated case. The
insecurity and ongoing confrontation with armed groups should not be used as a
pretext to crack down on demonstrators and the right to freedom of expression
and association," Amnesty International said.

Amnesty International calls on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in
Haiti (MINUSTAH) to fully comply with its mandate of "protect[ing] civilians
under imminent threat of physical violence" and to strengthen its capacity to
oversee all National Police operations.

"We fear an escalation of violence as the electoral process is under way and
call on all sides in the current political crisis, including the police force,
to make efforts to resolve their differences peacefully," said Amnesty
International.

MINUSTAH and CIVPOL officials must carry out a full, independent and public
investigation into the killings and help bringing those responsible to justice.



Amnesty International also calls on the international community to firmly
urge the Haitian Transitional Government to ensure the protection of human
rights
and freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

"In the run-up to local and presidential elections, the flare of increased
political violence is latent as the implementation of a much needed
comprehensive program for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration is
inexcusably
delayed."

Background Information
More than a year after a transitional government was put in place in Haiti,
following the ousting of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide by an armed
rebellion, the human rights situation has deteriorated gravely. Since September

2004, the violence has escalated to worrying proportions and the number of
victims according to recent reports exceeds 600 despite the presence of a
nearly

7,000 strong UN contingent mandated to secure the country and protect the
population. National Police officers have been reportedly involved in several
summary and unlawful killings that still remain unresolved and whose
perpetrators
have not yet been held accountable.




Public Document
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