Support the Release of Father Gerard Jean-Juste, Who is Unjustly Imprisoned in Haiti
 
DEADLINE:  Thursday, August 11, COB

 Dear Colleague:        

Please join us in sending the attached letter to President Bushexpressing profound concerns about the unjust imprisonment of Father GerardJean-Juste in Haiti.  The letter urges the President to take action to seekhis immediate and unconditional release from prison.        
Father Jean-Juste is a widely-respected Catholic priest and acourageous advocate for peace and human rights in Haiti.  During the 1970's,he founded the Haitian Refugee Center in Miami, Florida, where he worked toprovide assistance to refugees who were fleeing persecution under theDuvalier regime. 
He returned to Haiti in 1991 and currently serves as thepastor of Saint Claire Church in Port-au-Prince and runs a soup kitchen forimpoverished children in his parish.  Fr. Jean-Juste has always spoken outforcefully against all forms of violence.        
   Father Jean-Juste was arrested on July 21, 2005, while attending thefuneral for Jacques Roche, a Haitian journalist who was kidnapped, held forransom and then murdered.  Haitian police claimed he was arrested because a"public clamor" at the funeral accused him of murdering Jacques Roche,although he was in Miami at the time of the murder.  He currently is beingdetained in the Haitian National Penitentiary.        
   Amnesty International has determined that Father Jean-Juste is aprisoner of conscience, who is detained solely because he has peacefullyexercised his right to freedom of expression.  Amnesty International hasurged that he be immediately and unconditionally released.        
We hope you will join us in supporting the immediate andunconditional release of Father Jean-Juste.  The letter is on the reverse.If you have any questions or would like to sign on to the letter, pleasecontact Kathleen Sengstock of Congresswoman Waters' staff at (202) 225-2201. 
Sincerely,  ______________________________   
          
   ______________________________/s Maxine Waters   
                                                     /sJan Schakowsky   ______________________________/s Barbara Lee August 12, 2005 

 President George W. Bush
The White House1600
Pennsylvania Avenue,
NWWashington, DC 20500
 Dear Mr. President:   
       We write to express our profound concerns about the unjustimprisonment of Father Gerard Jean-Juste in Haiti.  We urge you to takeaction at once to seek his immediate and unconditional release from prison.       
  Father Jean-Juste is a widely-respected Catholic priest and acourageous advocate for peace and human rights in Haiti.  During the 1970's,he founded the Haitian Refugee Center in Miami, Florida, where he worked toprovide assistance to refugees who were fleeing persecution under theDuvalier regime.  He returned to Haiti in 1991 and currently serves as thepastor of Saint Claire Church in Port-au-Prince and runs a soup kitchen forimpoverished children in his parish.  Fr. Jean-Juste has always spoken outforcefully against all forms of violence.       
    Father Jean-Juste was arrested on July 21, 2005, while attending thefuneral for Jacques Roche, a Haitian journalist who was kidnapped, held forransom and then murdered.  Haitian police claimed he was arrested because a"public clamor" at the funeral accused him of murdering Jacques Roche,although he was in Miami at the time of the murder.  He currently is beingdetained in the Haitian National Penitentiary.        
   Amnesty International has determined that Father Jean-Juste is aprisoner of conscience, who is detained solely because he has peacefullyexercised his right to freedom of expression.  Amnesty International hasurged that he be immediately and unconditionally released.   
      We respectfully request that you urge the Interim Government ofHaiti to release Father Jean-Juste immediately and unconditionally.  Weappreciate your attention to our concerns.                                           
      Sincerely, 
 cc:        Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice      
  Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdès, MINUSTAH   
     Ambassador James Foley, U.S. Embassy in Haiti    
    Douglas M. Griffiths, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Haiti       
Dana Banks, Human Rights Officer, U.S. Embassy in Haiti