Special Section on Political Violence

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General Information | Cases | Exclusion of Fanmi Lavalas from Elections | Persecution of Fanmi Lavalas Supporters | Allegations of Persecution by Fanmi Lavalas Supporters | Violence Committed by the United Nations

(See also Political Conditions/Violence Under Country Conditions)

Political Violence and Intimidation

For more information: Politics and Democracy and Defending Human Rights Defenders.

US Congresswoman Maxine Waters, actor Danny Glover make impromptu visit to Haiti, Miami Herald, April 24, 2019

Amid an uprising, can Haitian president Jovenel Moise deliver on his promises? — The Nation, July 29, 2018

Haiti’s deadly riots fueled by anger over decades of austerity and foreign interference — The Conversation, July 26, 2018

Political Crises in Nicaragua and Haiti — The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC, July 24, 2018 (Interview with IJDH Executive Director Brian Concannon starting at 17:32)

Montreal protesters urge Ottawa to halt Haiti deportations after travel advisory Canada’s National Observer, July 22, 2018 (Article notes Canada’s warning to “avoid all non-essential travel to the Caribbean nation due to political unrest and the risk of violence.”)

How Prison Conditions Fuel the Tuberculosis Epidemic —Inter Press Service, July 19, 2018

If Haiti’s government does not confront poverty, corruption, more unrest will followMiami Herald, July 17, 2018

Haiti fuel price jump was ‘guaranteed to lead to backlash,’ U.N. poverty expert says — Miami Herald, July 16, 2018

Haiti’s Prime Minister quits amid protests over fuel plan —Associated Press, New York Times, July 14, 2018

Own Goal: Fuel Price Increase Generates Crisis in Haiti — CEPR, July 11, 2018

General strike, unrest over fuel prices continue in Haiti Boston Globe, July 10, 2018

Haiti- Security: At the UN, Michel-Ange Gédéon points the finger at MINUJUSTH’s weaknesses Haiti Libre, June 27, 2018

Haitian photojournalist missing in Port-au-Prince — CPJ, March 28, 2018

Meet the new Haitian military– it’s starting to look a lot like the old one — CEPR, March 16, 2018

Haitian Government on the Defensive Following UN Welcoming of Corruption Investigation — CEPR, March 7, 2018

Haiti ranked worst country for most overcrowded prisons in the world Jamaica Observer, February 5, 2018

UN confirms it helped plan a deadly police raid in Grand Ravine — CEPR, January 10, 2018

Haiti prisons: Overcrowding a major problem Al Jazeera, January 5, 2018

URGENT ACTION: Women’s rights defender threatened with death, — Amnesty International, 13 December 2017

Haitian journalists reject request to share anti-government protest videosVOA News, October 27, 2017

URGENT ACTION: Human rights defenders’ lives in danger — Amnesty International, April 12, 2017

New Report: Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at the Hands of the UN in HaitiCEPR, March 22, 2017

Les Cayes attack: Guy Phillippe intends standoff with police — Haiti Sentinel, May 22, 2016

Former soldiers clash with protesters in Haiti; 1 dead — Associated Press, February 5, 2016

Ex-Haiti Coup Leader Calls on his Soldiers to ‘Get Ready’ — TeleSur, January 25, 2016

By decree, Martelly reinstates Haitian army — Haiti Sentinel, November 28, 2015

The country is ready to re-form its army, Martelly said — Haiti Libre, July 22, 2015

La Police nationale d’Haïti sur une pente dangereuse — October 21, 2014

Amnesty International, Haiti: Camp residents attacked, more at risk — October 1, 2014

‘Hundreds On The Run’ After Haiti Jailbreak — August 11, 2014

Haïti-Droits humains : Le Rnddh critique une recrudescence de la violence policière et pointe le ministère de la justice — August 6, 2014

Amnesty International, Haiti: Activists fighting for justice threatened — August 4, 2014

Hugline Jérome, la nouvelle victime de Roro Nelson — Le Nouvelliste, August 4, 2015

Homophobia still tolerated by governments around the world — May 16, 2014

Décryptage de gros transferts à la PNH — May 5, 2014

Amnesty International, Haiti: Fear for safety of human rights defender: Pierre Espérance — April 15, 2014

Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada — February 25, 2014

Amnesty International, Haiti: Killing of human rights activist and his wife must be thoroughly investigated — February 12, 2014

Haiti: LGBTI organization’s office attacked in Haiti — November 26, 2013

Human Rights Groups Denounce Illegal Arrest of Haitian Lawyer André Michel — October 24, 2013

Patrice Flovilus demande de mesures conservatoires finale — September 12, 2013

BAI/IJDH Petition IACHR to Protect Threatened Haitian Lawyer — September 12, 2013

Le travail des défenseurs des droits humains menacé en Haïti, selon le Front Line Defenders — September 4, 2013

Enforced disappearances still an appalling reality in the Americas — August 30, 2013

Haiti: Armed attack on home of human rights defender Ms Malya Villard Apollon — August 27, 2013

Haïti : Attaque armée contre la maison de la défenseure des droits humains Malya Apollon-Villard — August 27, 2013“Now They’re All Dead”: Threats of Assassination to Human Rights Advocates in Haiti — August 21, 2013

Haiti: Judicial harassment and intimidation against human rights lawyer Mr Patrice Florvilus — August 21, 2013

Haiti gangs beat 47 gays with machetes, sticks and cement blocks — July 31, 2013

Haiti Police deny reports of killing during anti-gay protest — July 26, 2013

Haïti-Droits humains : Deux hommes agressés physiquement lors d’une marche homophobe — July 20, 2013

Haiti: Two assumed homosexuals beaten to death by protest mob — July 19, 2013

Des milliers de manifestants contre l’homosexualité, deux morts — July 19, 2013

Décès à l’hôpital de l’un des manifestants blessés par balle à L’Estère — July 19, 2013

The BAI denounces religious leaders’ march against Haiti’s LGBT community — July 17, 2013

Rapport sur la mort du Juge Serge-Senat — July 6, 2013

Articles on Judge Jean Serge Joseph (French&English) — July 2013

Graves incidents à Baptiste (Plateau central) suite à l’exécution d’un prévenu par un policier — June 21, 2013

Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada,Haiti: The Haitian National Police — June 13, 2013

Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada,Haïti : résumé des observations sur la sécurité et la violence à Haïti — June 10, 2013

Amnesty International Urgent Action: Patrice Florvilus (English & French) — May 22, 2013

Haiti: 13-yr old daughter of Gonaives Commissioner shot and in critical condition — May 6, 2013

Un ancien collègue du policier Walky Calixte tué, un suspect arrêté — May 2, 2013

Affaire Walky Calixte / Levée de l’immunité de 2 députés : le Cabinet d’instruction autorise la consultation du dossier par la Commission spéciale parlementaire — May 1, 2013

Un Député de l’opposition victime d’un braquage qui serait politiquement motivé — April 27, 2013

Amnesty International, Haiti: Protester ‘beaten to death by police’ following attack on camp — April 17, 2013

Haiti: The Ayiti an Aksyon (AAA) party during the elections in November 2010 and March 2011, including its candidates’ names, political activities and social engagement; whether the party was involved in violent activities against other political parties, independent candidates or people who refused to join the party during the elections in 2010 and 2011 (November 2010-May 2011) – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, April 2, 2013

Departing UN official blasts Haiti’s rights record — March 28, 2013

UN News Service, Haiti: UN humanitarian official concerned about growing number of forced evictions — March 11, 2013

Haïti-presse: deux journalistes malmenés par la police, l’AJH proteste — February 13, 2013

Une rencontre de l’opposition perturbée, le gouvernement se défend — January 7, 2013

Haïti – Politique : Le Directeur Général de l’ONA, victime d’agression au Sénat — January 5, 2013

Assorted Articles on violence — 2012

Pétition de soutien aux défenseurs des droits de l’homme en Haïti — November 2, 2012

La Liberté de Presse en Haïti : Un Effet Dissuasif sur les Journalistes Critiques du Gouvernement — November 1, 2012

Haiti: Recent threats to Mr. Mario Joseph, Mr. Newton St-Juste and Mr. André Michel — October 26, 2012

Amnesty International Action Alert: Haiti Lawyers — October 4, 2012

Harassment of Mario Joseph 10-3-2012 — October 3, 2014

Articles on Jean Renel Senatus — September 2012

Jean Renel Senatus Articles (French) — September & October 2012

A Judicial Crisis Erupts in Haiti — September 28, 2012

Haiti’s Military Monster Makes a Creeping Comeback — July 6, 2012

Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada,Haiti: Security situation — May 28, 2012

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Haiti: Frequency of kidnappings — May 22, 2012

RAPPORT SUR LA TORTURE ET MEURTRE DE SERGE DEMOSTHENE (December 2011, French) — December 30, 2011

“Mafia boss… Drug dealer… Poster-boy for political corruption” : WikiLeaked U.S. Embassy Cables Portray Senator Youri LatortueHaiti Liberte (Vol 4. No. 50), June 21 – July 5, 2011

In Haiti, ‘We Will Never Fall Asleep Forgetting — February 24, 2011

Haiti: Fear for safety/Death threats — October 24, 2010

Analyse et Com­men­taire du 35ème Rap­port sur la Vio­lence dans la Zone Mét­ro­pol­i­taine (Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix) — August 10, 2010

Assassinat Hier Mardi du Dr Ronald Joseph, Dirigeant de la KID (Radio Métropole Haïti) — August 4, 2010

Le RNDDH Attire L’attention des Autorités Concernées sur L’amplification des Actes de Violence dans le Pays (RNDDH) — June 29, 2010Haïti: des Manifs de Plus en Plus Violentes (Haiti Press Network) — May 27, 2010

Escape Attempt Led to Killings of Unarmed Inmates, The New York Times, May 22, 2010

Une Manifestation Anti-Gouvernementale Tourne à la Violence et au Pillage (Haiti en Marche) — May 10, 2010

Indicted Death Squad Leader Holds Campaign Meeting in Haiti – December 23, 2009

Journalist Guy Delva Under Threat — November 7, 2007

Interview with Ben Dupuy, General Secretary of the Parti Populaire National (PPN) – February 16, 2007

More Delays in La Scierie Case – January 24, 2007

The ruling of the investigating judge in the case of the alleged massacre at La Scierie is not yet ready – January 24, 2007

Fewer kidnappings, improved security – but life remains harsh on the streets of Haiti, The Independent – November 27, 2006

Haiti: Latortue’s legacy – October 22, 2006

What Future for Haiti? An Interview with Patrick Elie, Reed Lindsay – October 23, 2006

Witnesses say 2 civilians killed in Haiti clash with U.N. troops — October 20, 2006

Thousands march in Haiti demanding end to reign of terror – October 14, 2006

What the World Bank and IDB Owe Haiti – July 25, 2006

Mobilisation du 15 Juillet 2006, Lovinsky Pierre Antoine – July 15, 2006

Ailing Haitian Priest Urges Release of All Political Prisoners in Homeland – June 27, 2006

Making Our Country Safe For Democracy in Haiti – April 1, 2006

2005 World Press Freedom Review- Haiti, International Press Institute – March 10, 2006

Fraud and Scandal in Haiti’s Presidential Election: Preval’s Victory and the UN’s Disgrace – March 6, 2006

Haiti: Election Day and Beyond – February 6, 2006

Democracy Undone-Mixed U.S. Signals Helped Tilt Haiti Toward Chaos – January 29, 2006

Calls mount for investigation into rights abuses by Haiti’s police – May 24, 2005

Brian Concannon, An Prensip: The Subordination of the Judiciary in Haiti (HaitiAction.net) – May 12, 2005

Haiti Court Overturns Slaying Convictions – May 9, 2005

Amnesty International: Haitian Police Use Excessive Force Against Peaceful Demonstrations (PDF) – April 29, 2005

Amnesty International: Haitian National Police must be held accountable for killings of civilians (PDF) – April 29, 2005

Human Rights Situation: Port-au-Prince, Haiti — April 27, 2005

Addressing “Street Gang” Violence and Collateral Damage — April 1, 2005

Haiti Trip: Health Care and Human Rights – March 22, 2005

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (extract) – February 28, 2005

Les Chimères entretiennent un climat de terreur à Port-au-Prince — December 21, 2004

Haiti: International Legal Network: Human Rights Defenders at Risk: Renan Hedouville and other Members of CARLI, and Lawyer Mario Joseph (Amnesty International) – October 20, 2004

General Information

For an acknowledgment of the different political parties in Haiti, see Political background on Haiti (see section on political parties) – The CQ Researcher BlogMarch 2010

On the faction of Lavalas see Le Conseil de l’Ordre des avocats de Port-au-Prince dénonce des dérives dans les pratiques judiciaires, dont l’assignation à résidence de Jean-Bertrand AristideRadio Kiskeya – September 14, 2014

Haiti’s Fragile DemocracyJurist – August 31, 2014

Thousands Follow Ex-Haiti President After Court – Associated Press – May 8, 2013

Puzzling US Stand on Haiti’s AristideTrinidad Express – March 19, 2011

Preval Rejects US Ideas for Election Including Return of Aristide’s Party, Lavalas, Banned in 2009 – HCV Analysis – July 3, 2010

Third Lavalas Faction – Are they Fanmi Lavalas?Marguerite Laurent – Feb 16, 2009

US Lawmakers Concerned over Haiti’s Forthcoming Poll (see section “Party splits”) – Mark Doyle BBC – 12 October 2010

Lavalas Party Divided, Compromised Elections/ Parti Lavalas Divisé, Élections Compromises (located in the bottom half) (French) – Archives Nouvelles d’Haïti et d’ailleurs

Former President Aristide Confirms Giving Mandate to Maryse NarcisseHaitian Press Association (French) – November 25, 2009

Letter from Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to CEP, Confirming Mandate of Maryse Narcisse (English and French)November 18, 2009

Jean-Bertrand Aristide remains potent force in HaitiMiami Herald – March 1, 2009

Haiti: Access to power and activities of members of the Lavalas Family (Fanmi Lavalas) party; situation of members of the Lavalas Family movement; protection available to them (2005 – January 2009)February 16, 2009

Bursting the Dam of ContainmentJune 21, 2008

Popular Base Committee of Fanmi Lavalas Makes DeclarationMay 2, 2008

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Cases

  • Joseph v. Holder, 600 F.3d 1235 (April 14, 2010) (persecution by the Ramikos because petitioner supports the Lavalas).
  • Alcius v. Holder, 374 Fed. Appx. 583 (March 23, 2010) (persecution by paramilitary groups based on petitioner’s affiliation to the Lavalas party).

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Exclusion of Fanmi Lavalas from Elections

The Fanmi Lavalas party has been banned from elections since the 2004 coup.

WikiLeaks Haiti: Cable Depicts Fraudulent Haiti Election (The Nation) – June 8, 2011

The Imposition of Martelly, the Reconstitution of the Army, and the Restoration of Duvalier (San Francisco Bay View) – June 8, 2011

Martelly: Haiti’s Second Great Disaster (Al Jazeera) – May 4, 2011

Sovereignty, Stability and Sweet Micky: What is Going on in Haiti? – March 11, 2011

Haiti’s Growing Momentum Towards Democracy (Guardian) – February 2, 2011

Walkom: Ottawa’s Concern For Haiti Not Just Humanitarian – January 26, 2011

Only New, Fair Voting Can Help Haiti Now – January 12, 2011

Haiti’s Election: A Travesty of Democracy: OAS Backs Illegitimate Election in Haiti in Which Three-Quarters of Haitians Didn’t Vote – January 10, 2011

The Betrayal of Haiti – January 7, 2011

Hold new, open, fair elections – January 3, 2011

US Will Pay for Haitian Vote Fraud (Boston Globe) – December 15, 2010

Popular Anger Unabated over Chaotic Polls – December 2, 2010

Don’t blame Haitians for election fiasco – December 1, 2010

International Community Should Reject Haiti’s “Sham” Elections, CEPR Co-Director Says – November 29, 2010

Haiti’s Fouled-Up Election – November 29, 2010

Election chaos has Haiti again on edge of turmoil – November 28, 2010

Haitians prepare for an ‘election of halves’ – November 27, 2010

Haiti’s Sham Elections: Five Reasons to Care – November 26, 2010

With friends like these…CARICOM and Haiti – November 15, 2010

Haiti’s Faithless Elections: Lack of Certainty of the Provisional Electoral Council Pushes National and International Leaders to Speak Out – October 26, 2010

Haiti’s Flawed Elections: A Set-Back for the Country’s Political Future-and the Post-Earthquake Rebuilding Process – October 21, 2010

Haiti Voter Beware – October 18, 2010

Haiti presidential elections to be held at gunpoint – October 16, 2010

State Department Dumbfounded by Congressional Concerns Over Haiti’s Selection Elections – October 14, 2010

US lawmakers concerned over Haiti’s forthcoming poll – October 12, 2010

In Haiti, barred political parties, homeless call for reform ahead of elections – October 12, 2010

Members of Congress are right to urge changes to Haiti’s flawed electoral process – October 11, 2010

US lawmakers warn of flaws in Haiti vote process – October 8, 2010

Why Can’t Haitians Get a Fair Election? – October 5, 2010

Empty Promises, Empty Votes (IPS) – September 29, 2010

Haiti election campaign opens amid anger over candidate exclusions – September 28, 2010

Silent Coup in Haiti – September 19, 2010

Haiti election commission under scrutiny for ties to President René Préval – September 16, 2010

Unfair and Undemocratic – September 8, 2010

Wyclef Jean appealing Haiti election ruling, says ‘trickery’ used – August 24, 2010

The Assault on Haitian Democracy – August 23, 2010

Cyber Saturday: Congress must put pressure on Haiti – August 14, 2010

Wyclef Jean’s presidential bid – August 12, 2010

Haiti’s Presidential Candidates: Not Just Wyclef and His Family – August 11, 2010

Wyclef Jean candidacy an “effort to put a smiley face on military occupation” in Haiti – August 4, 2010

Haiti Gears Up for Polls – Again, Sans Lavalas – June 30, 2011

With Date for Elections Set, Next Step is to Ensure Full Participation – June 30, 2010

Elections Without Voters: Eroding Participation in Haiti – January 6, 2010

Aristide Energizes the Mobilization for Democracy – December 25, 2009

Don’t honor tainted election – December 11, 2009

Electoral Frustrations Threaten Haiti Vote – December 10, 2009

Citizens, Human Rights Groups Claim Michel Forst Acting with Partisanship – December 3, 2009

Charge Manipulation in 2010 Elections – December 1, 2009

Two-faced Democracy in Haiti – November 26, 2009

Haiti’s Stealth Elections: What’s at Stake – December 2, 2006

Fraud and Scandal in Haiti’s Presidential Election: Preval’s Victory and the UN’s Disgrace – March 3, 2006

U.S. doesn’t realize depth of Haiti’s problems – October 6, 2005

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Persecution and Kidnapping of Fanmi Lavalas Supporters

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Rep. Gutiérrez Concerned Letter to Secretary Kerry — September 24, 2014

RNDDH – Dossier Jean-Bertrand Aristide — September 12, 2014

Rep. Waters Concerned Letter to Secretary Kerry — September 12, 2014

Calls Mount to Free Lavalas Activist — September 28, 2009

HAITI: Calls Mount to Free Lavalas Activist — August 20, 2009

Half-Hour for Haiti: Free Ronald Dauphin for the New Year – January 14, 2009

Haitian Human Rights Activist and His Family in Grave Danger, Says Amnesty International – January 10, 2008

Further Information on UA 336/07 Fear for safety – January 9, 2008

Amnesty International Calls for Action by Haiti on Abduction and Threats Against “September 30” Human Rights Defenders – December 20, 2007

Amnesty International Urgent Action: Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine and Wilson Mesilien – December 18, 2007

Gunshots Fired at Radio-Tele Ginen – November 9, 2007

Half-Hour for Haiti: Get Haiti Debt Cancellation Its Day on Capitol Hill – November 1, 2007

One Lavalas Official Freed in Haiti, Second Remains Missing (Haiti Information Project) – October 31, 2007

Dr. Maryse Narcisse Kidnapped in Haiti – October 30, 2007

WHERE’S LOVINSKY? ACTIVIST WAS KIDNAPPED WHILE IN HAITI – October 18, 2007

Victims of Violence Organize in Plateau-Central – August 21, 2007

Activist Haitian priest finds peace, obscurity while recovering in Broward, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, December 4, 2006

Demonstration at Ministry of Justice for the Release of Political Prisoners, Wadner Pierre (BAI), November 11, 2006

Ailing Haitian Priest Urges Release of All Political Prisoners in Homeland – June 27, 2006

Jailed Haitian Catholic Priest Flown to United States for Medical Treatment – January 30, 2006

Amnesty International Action Alert: Release Political Prisoner Annette Auguste – January 10, 2006

Amnesty International Action Alert Regarding Frere Gerard Jean Juste – January 6, 2006

Democracy’s Death – May 12, 2005

Gunfire Kills 1 in Pro-Aristide Haiti Slum – April 29, 2005

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Allegations of Persecution by Fanmi Lavalas Supporters

Haiti: Access to power and activities of members of the Lavalas Family (Fanmi Lavalas) party; situation of members of the Lavalas Family movement; protection available to them (2005 – January 2009) – February 16, 2009

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Violence Committed by the United Nations

Radio Métropole Haiti, Manifestation/violence : « les soldats de la MINUSTAH coupables seront punis » — December 16, 2014

New York:Demonstration,Delegation,and Community Meeting Demand UN Troops Leave Haiti – October 18, 2012

La Plate-forme des Organisations Haïtiennes des Droits Humains, Rapport : Violations des droits humains par la Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en Haiti (La MINUSTAH) — February 15, 2012

Haiti: United Nations Mission Denounced by Human Rights Organization (Defend.ht) – December 23, 2011

Council on Hemispheric Affairs, The “Enforcers”: MINUSTAH and the Culture of Violence in Port-au-Prince — November 28, 2011

MINUSTAH: Obstacle to Democracy in Haiti – November 24, 2010

Haitians Want an End to Violent UN/MINUSTAH Occupation – September 7, 2010

West still ‘undermining Haiti’ – June 12, 2010

Mass Protests Begin in Haiti – May 12, 2010

From Haiti to Tibet, China’s role in suppressing democracy – March 17, 2008

Project Censored Calls Massacres by UN Troops A Top Censored Story – October 11, 2007

The UNspoken truth about gangs in Haiti – February 14, 2007

UN Occupation of Haiti Intensifies – February 2, 2007

Another Massacre in Cite Soleil? – December 29, 2006

Kevin Pina/ Marian Peleski – November 11, 2006

Witnesses say 2 civilians killed in Haiti clash with U.N. troops – October 20, 2006

Thousands march in Haiti demanding end to reign of terror – October 14, 2006

U.N.-Liberating Haiti – September 1, 2006

Gunfire Kills 1 in Pro-Aristide Haiti Slum – April 29, 2005

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General Information | Cases | Exclusion of Fanmi Lavalas from Elections |Persecution of Fanmi Lavalas Supporters | Allegations of Persecution by Fanmi Lavalas Supporters | Other Political Violence | Violence Committed by the United Nations