Haiti: Pro-democracy activists deported from the Dominican Republic
Paul Raymond, a prominent Haitian grassroots leader and tireless defender of
Haiti's poor, was arrested late Thursday (7/21/05) afternoon by Dominican
authorities at his home in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Mario
Exilhomme, a Haitian refugee who was visiting Mr. Raymond, was also
arrested.
Mr. Raymond had been living in exile since the violent coup d'etat of
February 29, 2004. He is a founding member and coordinator of Haiti's base
community church, Ti Kominote Legliz (TKL). Ti Kominote Legliz has been in
the forefront of establishing base community churches throughout Haiti since
the 1980s. Mr. Raymond is a well-known proponent of liberation theology and
an activist in the popular movement calling for the return of President
Aristide and constitutional democracy.
Contrary to all norms of due process, Mr. Raymond and Mr. Exilhomme were
quickly deported to Haiti, where they were jailed Friday morning (7/22/05).
Haiti's coup regime has submitted a list of about 30 Haitian exiles, most of
them Lavalas political activists, to Dominican authorities. Clearly, time is
of the essence if we are to stop this unjust persecution of Haitian
refugees.
Like political prisoners Father Gerard Jean-Juste and Annette Auguste (So
Anne), Paul Raymond has long been a target of the coup regime. It is
estimated that over 1,000 Haitian political prisoners are now being detained
without legal justification. Most were arrested without a warrant. Many have
been imprisoned for over a year without charges, court appearances or any
evidence against them. Some are being held despite orders from a judge to
release them. Beatings, torture and killings of prisoners have been widely
reported.
We have grave concern for the safety of Mr. Raymond, Mr. Exilhomme and all
other political prisoners in Haiti. Please contact officials of the United
States, the United Nations, and the de facto Haitian government. The U.S.
is the Haitian government's principal international patron, and has
sufficient leverage to stop the persecution immediately. The UN mission in
Haiti, MINUSTAH, supports the police and justice system, and has a mandate
to promote respect for human rights in Haiti.
Defend the rights of Haitian refugees. Demand the immediate release of Mr.
Raymond and Mr. Exilhomme.
Contact:
1. James B. Foley, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti
phone: 011-509-222-0200, 222-0354, 222-0269, 222-0327
fax: 011-509-223-9038
2. Juan Gabriel Valdes, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General
to Haiti
phone: 011-509-244-9650 or 9660
fax 011-509 244 3512.
3. Me. Henri Dorléans, Haiti's de facto "Minister of Justice"
fax 011-509 244 3512.
For more information, contact Haiti Action Committee at(510)483-7481,
haitiaction@yahoo.com or www.haitiaction.net