(E-071/00)
Port-au-Prince, March 31, 2000

   

STATEMENT FROM OAS ELECTORAL MISSION IN HAITI

 

The OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Haiti categorically condemns the murder in Petit-Goâve of the coordinator of the electoral campaign of the Patriotic Movement for National Rescue (MPSN), Mr. Légitime Athis and wife.

The Mission affirms that such a murder, as well as all the other violent incidents that have occurred during the electoral campaign, are a threat to peaceful elections as well as to democracy in Haiti.

Therefore, the Mission calls on the police and the judiciary to open a serious enquiry into this crime, and find and punish the guilty parties. As it is the duty of the State to combat impunity at all times, it is particularly important during an electoral period for crimes of this nature to be brought promptly before the courts.

The Mission also calls on political parties to reject all forms of violence and maintain strict discipline.

 

 

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