OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR DEPLORES ATTACKS AGAINST FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN HAITI
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), deplores the attacks against the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in Haiti, as well as the aggressions and acts of intimidation against journalists and the media in the country.
In December and January, the Rapporteurship has been informed of threats against the life and physical integrity of several Haitian journalists. Among them, were Rodson Josselin from Haïti Press Network; Nancy Roc, Cossy Roosevelt and Meroné Jean Wickens, from Radio Métropole; Fegentz Calès Paul, from Radio Antilles; Marie-Lucie Bonhomme, Valéry Numa, Josué Jean and Wendy Richard, from Vision 2000; Hans Pierre-Louis and Patrick Chéry, from Radio Ibo ; Lilianne Pierre-Paul and Sony Bastien, from Radio Kiskeya; and Jean Robert Ballant, from Radio Sud-FM.
During the last several weeks, the Office has also become aware of many attacks against media assets. The studios of Radio Delta, Radio Lumiére de la Jeunesse Saint-Marçoise (LJS), Radio America and Radio Pyramide were set on fire. On January 13, a group of armed men attacked with hammers the radio transmission plants of eight radio stations and a television network around Bouthilliers, in Port-au-Prince. The media attacked, which represent a variety of different viewpoints, are: Radio Kiskeya, Radio Commerciale, Radio Signal FM, Radio Galaxie, Radio Mélodie FM, Radio Magic Stéreo, Radio Plus, Radio Ti-Moun and Télé Ti Moun. In December, the Office of the Special Rapporteur was also informed about several attacks against Radio Vision 2000, Radio Maxima, Radio Métropole , Radio Caraïbes and Radio Kiskeya.
In a press communiqué released on December 9, the IACHR expressed its concern and emphasized that all Haitians, whatever their political allegiance, are entitled to full and free exercise of their right to freedom of expression in accordance with the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression will continue to follow the situation in Haiti, and will specially inform the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on this issue during its next period of sessions in February 2004.
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
Washington, D.C., January 22, 2004.