DATE=10/31/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-10224

TITLE=EDITORIAL: PRESS REPRESSION IN HAITI

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: Michelle Montas-Dominique has been given the Maria Moors Cabot Prize, the oldest international award in the field of journalism. Ms. Montas-Dominique is the news director of Radio Haiti. She is also the widow of Jean Dominique. He was the owner of Radio Haiti and Haiti's best known journalist. He was murdered in April 2000.

The award to Ms. Montas-Dominique spotlights the continuing repression of freedom of expression in Haiti.

Jean Dominique was a hard-hitting political commentator and fierce critic of successive regimes in Haiti. He and security guard Jean Claude Louissaint were killed two and a half years ago on the way to work. Their murderers have yet to be brought to justice. The investigation has been full of irregularities, including threats and intimidation of judges and witnesses, the refusal of police to carry out arrest orders for former army officers, and the unwillingness of the Haitian Senate to lift a prime suspect's parliamentary immunity.

Eduardo Bertoni is the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression for the Organization of American States. In a recent report, he points out that "behavior of this kind. . .creates a terrifying environment for other social communicators, who are frightened to denounce further attacks."

Since the murder of Jean Dominique, there have been further attacks on journalists in Haiti. Last December, Brignol Lindor [BREE-nyol lin-DOR], news director of Radio Echo, was hacked to death by members of a pro-government organization. The killing occurred days after Mr. Lindor had interviewed members of the political opposition calling for the resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Warrants have been issued for ten suspects in the murder. Although there have been some arrests made, arrests of key individuals have not yet taken place.

Harassment and violence against journalists by armed groups operating outside the law further erode the environment for freedom of expression. These groups act with impunity against journalists and others, like student demonstrators, who try to express their views. In addition, anonymous threats against journalists and media outlets are common. Several journalists have left Haiti out of fear for their lives.

Haitian President Aristide's government has promised to take steps to ensure free and fair elections, observe the rule of law, and strengthen democracy. These steps will only be possible when freedom of expression is guaranteed for all of Haiti's citizens.

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.