Press Release

 

Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast

39 Bleeker Street

Newark, NJ 07102

973-648-0003

 

The Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast (HSNNE) urges the UN delegation to give serious consideration to the views expressed by CARICOM nations regarding the current situation in Haiti.

 

We are confident that the UN continues to respect the vision offered by neighboring countries, even those that are not superpowers in the world community’s mindset.

 

The Calivigny Statement on Haiti, issued in July, 2004, declared that CARICOM Heads of Government remained opposed to any interruption of the democratic process and reiterated that any such development could constitute a dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments. The statement continued that the removal of democratically elected governments by extra-constitutional means is unacceptable to the membership of the Community.

 

CARICOM leaders again expressed their concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in their Statement on Haiti issued at Paramaribo, Suriname in February, 2005. In that statement, CARICOM called for the investigation of allegations of serious abuses at the hands of the police. It also stated that the indefinite detention of Lavalas leaders and activists, including former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune can only be construed as arbitrary detention on the basis of political affiliation. It added that it is difficult to conceive of fair elections while leaders and activists of a major political party remain in arbitrary detention.

 

We understand and sympathize with the CARICOM nations who fear and oppose the possible repetition of what transpired in Haiti in February of 2004.

 

Finally, we urge the UN delegation to seriously consider the CARICOM views as relevant to understanding and counseling a positive way forward for the well-being of Haiti’s troubled masses.

 

May the UN once again bring us hope for a better Haiti and a better world!

 

The HSNNE Executive Board

April 12, 2005