We visited a cooperative community school in Petionville, named SOPUDEP, which educates about 700 mostly poor children. Because the school was started by the community during the time of President Aristide, those now in power are threatening to revoke its lease. In early September of 2004, the newly appointed mayor of the town showed up at the school with armed guards. After a demonstration by community people and pressure by US Senator Norm Coleman, the pressure against the school has been reduced for now.
The delegation visited the parish of St. Clare’s where church members were feeding over 600 children. The program provides a meal twice a week. When we were there, after prayers, more than 20 children sat at each of 14 tables under a tin roof while the church gave each a tin plate with rice, some beans and a small piece of meat. The children devoured the food in minutes, totally cleaning their plates. They left and older children were let in for their meal. The pastor of St. Clare’s, Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste, a supporter of Aristide, spoke plainly of the threats he has received personally. He spoke of the threats of violence and destruction directed against the radio station where he had a 2 hour radio show, threats that forced the station to cancel his show. Another radio station was officially closed by the new government. He told us that President Aristide rejected the use of violence to combat the violence of the rebels who seized control of Gonaives. He said there has been a big migration of people from the countryside into Port au Prince since the coup, as people have fled the violence of the rebels and the ex-militaries. He was certain that the grassroots and the poor still support President Aristide. He said violence has wracked the country - it is time to kneel down, ask forgiveness, and start over.
Over and over we were told by the people of Haiti that there is little or no international human rights presence here. There is no rule of law, the strong do what they want because no one will help the victims bring about fairness or justice.
Most people are very critical of the US, saying that it was responsible, along with France and Canada, for the end of democracy and the exile of the elected government of President Aristide in Haiti. People are also very critical of the US decision to withhold humanitarian aid for the people of Haiti from the government of President Aristide and the apparent funding and training of opposition and rebel groups who deposed Haiti’s elected government. Yet the people made a clear distinction between the actions of the government of the US and the people of the US. The people appreciate the work and generosity of church groups in the US. The people repeatedly thanked us for visiting. They asked that we tell their stories. They asked that we counter the lies and misinformation about Haiti and tell the truth. Because they still have hope that the international community and the people in the US will help them recover their democracy, recover their President Aristide, and help them rebuild their country in a just way
Conclusions and Suggestions for Actions
We repeat that human rights conditions are worse in Haiti now then they have been in years. It is clear that the forced exile of President Aristide was a coup that eliminated the elected government of the people and replaced it with an illegally appointed government of the minority who have economic and military power.
The democratically elected government leaders and their supporters are in prison or have been made into refugees in their own country while former militaries and gangs affiliated with those in power are allowed to do as they please.
There is a clear re-emergence of the previously dissolved military, which has historically been a challenge to independent civil society and oppressive to the poor.
The rule of law is being disregarded in the exile, arrest, beatings, executions, and detention of the people who were democratically chosen by the people of Haiti to govern. People affiliated with the elected government and those concerned about human rights have been beaten and arrested and homes burned and run off to live in hiding.
The Haitian constitution and international law are being openly violated. The rule of law must be reinstated.
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