Haiti is once again ruled by an elite-based dictatorship, that is attacking civil society. On February 29, 2004, the US replaced  the country's elected President with a compliant puppet regime. Police and paramilitary gangs kill pro-democracy activists in poor areas by the hundreds, while priests, union leaders, former government officials and even musicians are arrested illegally and imprisoned without court access. Critical media are shut down.

The involvement of the US, France and other colonial powers is not new, but this dictatorship is also propped up by soldiers from the Global South- Brazil leads the UN mission. In contrast, Haiti's Caribbean neighbors and the Africa Union refuse to recognize the new authorities, and call for investigations of Haiti's coup d'etat.

The program will discuss Haiti's deteriorating human rights situation,  and the role played by the international community. It will explore international grassroots collaboration to support democracy in Haiti.

Sponsor:  Fondasyon 30 Septanm

Co-Sponsors:  Haitian Initiative for Democracy (Haiti/USA), Haiti Action Committee (USA), Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (Haiti/USA), Marin Interfaith Taskforce on the Americas (USA)

Speakers:  Brian Concannon (USA), Duclos Benissoit (Haiti), Mario Joseph (Haiti), Serge Louis (Haiti), Maryse Narcisse (Haiti), Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine (Haiti), Margaret Prescod (USA), Emir Sader (Brazil)

For more information email info@ijdh.org.