Freedom of Expression
Press release R88/23
SRFOE condemns attacks on journalists in Haiti
and calls on the State
to investigate the facts and punish those responsible
May 18, 2023
Washington, D.C. – The
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns attacks against the
press in Haiti, including the murder of two journalists and the kidnapping of three journalists, so far in 2023.
This Office calls on the State to investigate the facts in a
complete, effective and impartial manner, to determine the possible link with
the informative work, and to punish those responsible.
According to the
information available, on 25 April, journalist Ricot Jean of Radio-Télé
Evolution Inter in the commune of Saint-Marc was murdered by
unidentified armed individuals. In this context, arelative who accompanied him
was also killed and their lifeless bodies were found in
the uninhabited area known as "Anba Gwomòn".
This office also learned
ofthe murder of journalist Dumesky Kersaint, who worked for Radio Télé
Inurep. According to
the information available, the events took place in the early hours
of Sunday, April 16, in the municipality of Carrefour. According to local media
reports, Kersaint was gunned down by gunmen, killing him instantly.
In addition to the above-mentioned events, on
May 5, journalist Paul Jean Marie, host of the program "A Voice in the Night"
on Radio Lumière, was murdered. The reporter was the victim of an armed
attack by unidentified individuals who entered his residence in Onaville, Croix-des-Bouquets,
Port-au-Prince.
On the other hand, the
Office of the Special Rapporteur draws attention to the kidnappings of
communicators and media
workers. The most recent is the case of Robert Denis, director of Canal
Bleu and former vice president of the Haitian Media Association, who was
kidnapped on April 11. At that time, this Office rejected the facts and called on the State to make
efforts to guarantee his life, integrity and freedom. According to the
information available, Denis was released on April 20, after paying a sum of
money for his release.
At the same time, on 3
February, Jean Thony Lorthé of Radio Vision 2000 was kidnapped and allegedly held captive for two weeks and released only after payment
for his ransom and that of two other persons accompanying him.
The Office of the
Special Rapporteur also learned of the kidnapping of Lebrun Saint-Hubert,
president and general director of community radio 2000, on March 17. According
to the information available, the director would have been released on March 27
and, like the previous cases, his release also occurred after the payment of a
ransom.
As stated in Principle 9 of the Declaration of
Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR, the murder, kidnapping,
intimidation, and threats against social communicators violate the fundamental
rights of individuals and severely restrict freedom of expression. The Office
of the Special Rapporteur reiterates that violence against journalists, in
addition to restricting the right of society to be more and better informed,
creates an environment that intimidates and contributes to self-censorship of
the press.
Haiti remains one of the most violent countries
to practice journalism. This is inserted in a context of social, economic and
political crisis, derived from political instability, as indicated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights of the United Nations (UN). In this regard, the Office of the Special
Rapporteur recognizes the challenges Haiti faces in complying with its
international obligations to combat violence and impunity. As the IACHR noted
in its country report (2022), the events of
violence in Haiti are emblematic of the crisis of citizen insecurity, which add
to the challenges of impunity that permeate the country. The Commission
indicated that the obstacles and difficulties for the investigation with due
diligence of criminal acts in the country generate impunity and, consequently,
impede the prevention of their repetition.
In this regard, the
Office of the Special Rapporteur recalls that "a simple but highly
effective protection measure consists of the highest State authorities
constantly, clearly, publicly and firmly recognizing the legitimacy and value
of journalistic work". This also includes emphatically condemning violence
against the press and making a commitment to investigate attacks on journalists
in the course of their work.
Finally, the Office of
the Special Rapporteur calls on the international community to
support the efforts of the Haitian State in the fulfillment of international
obligations, the observance and consolidation of democratic institutions and
the Rule of law.
Read the press release
in French here.
The Office of the
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), in order to stimulate the
hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression,
considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the
democratic system.
R88/23