[van-announce] CARICOM Statement on Haiti

[Charles Boylan]

Dear Friends,

I am sending you the recent statement of the Heads of Government of the
Carribean Community on Haiti. The statement brings further credence to the
findings of Thomas Griffin's human rights report
http://www.law.miami.edu/news/368.html and the journalism of Kevin Pina
http://www.haitiaction.net/ .  I recommend visiting these sites.

There are demonstrations being organized for this Saturday in Montreal and
Vancouver as follows:

Montreal, Demonstration & March:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, NOON

Gathering Point: Complexe Guy Favreau

200 Rene Levesque West

(metro Place des Arts/Place d'Armes)

This is a child_friendly demonstration.

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Vancouver Demontration Picket

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1 P.M.

United States Consulate

1075 West Pender Street

Marching to Government of Canada Building (Burrard & Pender)

2 P.M. Rally Art Gallery (Georgia & Howe)

Everyone welcome

Hopefully, anti-war, anti-occupation, peace and justice activists in Toronto
and elsewhere will put together an action at the US Consulate Office or some
appropriate place to mark the first anniversary of the coup d'etat and
occupation of Haiti by the U.S., France and Canada. The ongoing UN
occupation together with the illegally installed regime representing
anti-democratic forces in Haiti have resulted in grave human rights abuses
and political persecution of the majority and former government party led by
Jean-Bertrand Aristide as well as on the poor in general.

best wishes,  Charles Boylan

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STATEMENT ON HAITI Issued at the Conclusion of the Sixteenth Inter-Sessional
Meeting of The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Paramaribo, Suriname, 16-17 February 2005.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains gravely concerned by the overall
situation in Haiti. Insecurity, volatility and political polarization
combine with joblessness as stumbling blocks to progress. The Community is
particularly disturbed over the deteriorating human rights situation and the
continuing violations of the principles laid down in the CARICOM Charter of
Civil Society. Allegations of serious abuses at the hands of the police and
illegally armed groups must be investigated. The indefinite detention of
Lavalas leaders and activists can only be construed as arbitrary detention
on the basis of political affiliation. The continuing detention of former
Prime Minister Yvon Neptune is a glaring example. These persons must either
be charged and brought before the courts or released forthwith. It is
difficult to conceive of fair elections while the leaders and activists of a
major political party remain in arbitrary detention. The proliferation of
illegally armed groups and their activities constitute a major obstacle to
stability. Disarmament and reintegration must be given priority attention to
create a security environment conducive to open campaigning and credible
elections. CARICOM is encouraged by the growing support in Haiti for a
national dialogue for which the international community has committed its
support. A successful process, which promotes reconciliation and political
inclusiveness, will have a considerable positive impact on the conduct of
the electoral process and on the general political situation. The Caribbean
Community reaffirms its commitment to the welfare of the Haitian people and
will continue its engagement for their benefit. The Community has also
consistently highlighted the importance of free and fair elections in
returning Haiti to constitutional rule. The recent commencement of the
electoral process with the proclamation of the electoral decree and the
adoption of an electoral calendar permit CARICOM to make good on its earlier
promise to contribute to the United Nations peacekeeping effort in Haiti.
Consequently, technical assistance for the electoral process, an essential
element of the CARICOM Assistance Programme for Haiti, will be forthcoming
under the umbrella of the electoral unit of MINUSTAH. The Community will
continue to collaborate with the donor community to find the swiftest and
most effective way to make good on their pledges of financial assistance to
Haiti in order to address the increasing hopelessness arising from economic
stagnation. To this end, the Chief Coordinator of the CARICOM Task Force
will attend the meeting on Haiti in Cayenne in mid-March. The building of
democracy in Haiti and improving the lot of the ordinary Haitian constitute
a complex and long-term process to which the Caribbean Community has pledged
its assistance.

 Prensa Latina, Havana
 http://www.plenglish.com

 [Please forward to relevant lists. Inform me if you wish your name
withdrawn from this list.]