E-066/00
Port-au-Prince, March 28, 2000

  

 

STATEMENT FROM OAS ELECTORAL MISSION IN HAITI

 

1.    The OAS Electoral Observation Mission expresses its extreme concern about the violent street demonstrations that have caused deaths and casualties since last Sunday. The Mission condemns violence of all forms perpetrated against any parties.

2.    The Mission calls on the Government to restore and maintain public order in keeping with the Constitution, and to prevent or put down violent outbursts of whatever nature while respecting the right to freedom of association in public places.

3.    In order to calm tensions that could spark further violence, the Mission calls on political parties to remind their supporters that their right to voice their demands can only be exercised with respect for the rights of all Haitians, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the law.

4.    Therefore, the Mission calls on political parties to categorically denounce and condemn all violence perpetrated by their supporters or by groups claiming to belong to other parties or coalitions. The Mission affirms that progress cannot be achieved through violent confrontation, but rather through respect for the different opinions of all parties involved. The way forward is through communication at all levels of the national arena and united efforts towards a common goal: the development of Haiti.

5.    With a view to the consolidation of national institutions as stipulated by the Constitution and the preservation of social order and public confidence in the democratic process, the Mission urges the Provisional Electoral Council and the Government to agree and announce an election date that will allow the National Assembly to convene on the second Monday of June.

 

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