News
and opinions on situation in Haiti |
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| 28/10/05 |
NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas denounces Marc Bazin and his renegade Fanmi Lavalas acolytes |
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– N.Y.C. events this weekend: Justice for Haitians in the D.R. & Ayibobo pou Charlemagne Peralte – Protests against Haitian presidential candidate Marc Bazin and Washington-backed Haitian elections by PPN, HSN, KAKOLA, HaÔti ProgrËs, the International Action Center and ANSWER Coalition. – AUMOHD: Human Rights Abuse Worsens – Devastating Exodus of Doctors From Africa and Caribbean Is Found – New York Times * (See also: The Metrics of the Physician Brain Drain Fitzhugh Mullan, M.D., The New England Journal of Medicine, Oct. 27, 2005, No. 17 content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/353/17/1810) – The Worse U.N. Scandal:NY TIMES EDITORIAL ON SEXUAL ABUSE BY UN ‘PEACEKEEPERS’ – The Phony Elections in Haiti and U.S. Attempts to Exterminate Fanmi Lavalas Party |Flashpoints! Radio ********************************* PRESS RELEASE NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas denounces Marc Bazin and his renegade Fanmi Lavalas acolytes October 27, 2005 Contact: Jacques Dossous 917 917 337 6702 “Beware of Thieves in New York”, says NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas Political Organization The NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas publicly state, to one and all, that Fanmi Lavalas of NY does not and will never sanction, endorse or welcome Marc Bazin to New York as a “Fanmi Lavalas” presidential candidate. The actions of Marc Bazin, as well as his handful of renegade Fanmi Lavalas members trying to give him a semblance of Fanmi Lavalas legitimacy, is purely and simply THEFT. They are trying to steal the Fanmi Lavalas name, in an attempt to deceive the ever-vigilant people of Haiti. As part of our actions aiming at exposing this “identity theft”, Fanmi Lavalas will organize a delegation to formally deliver a message to Marc Bazin and his servile bunch. This letter will clearly state that: 1. Article 8 of Fanmi Lavalasí constitution prohibits any political alliance with other political parties. This fake alliance between Fanmi Lavalas and MIDH is a fraud. 2. Article 49 of the same constitution states that only the National Representative in collaboration with the National Coordination can present a slate of candidates. These personalities are currently in jail, in hiding or in exile. It is true that at one point Marc Bazin protested the slaughter of the sons and daughters of Haiti during this bicentennial coup d’etat. Fanmi Lavalas appreciates this principled stand. Yet, we do not forget the stream of blood, of these same poor people, spilled during Marc Bazinís tenure as Prime Minister under the 1991 military coup against President Aristide. That 1991 coup d’etat was staged on behalf of Marc Bazin. Though Bazin protested the “death train” slaughtering the poor majority during this second coup d’etat, this deed alone is not nearly enough to qualify him as Lavalas. To be a Lavalas, Bazin should: 1. have a vision on a domestic Haitian economy that would improve life for everyone including the poor majority in Haiti. As Prime Minister Bazin raised the monetary ceiling twice, distributing the “loot” to his friends and other putchists, resulting in a devalued Haitian dollar, and a collapsed economy bringing more misery to Haitiís poor. 2. have a political vision that would include Haiti’s poor people in the administrative affairs of the State, as well as his political party. Bazin never integrated the poor masses in his political party. 3. have a social vision uniting people on the basis that each and every person are created equal. Bazin has always practiced a systematic exclusion of poor people. The above points will be delivered to Marc Bazin when he visits New York. We send them to the press, in advance, so that the world knows that Fanmi Lavalas of New York does not recognize or support Marc Bazin’s candidacy. Yon sËl nou fËb, Ansanm nou fÚ, Ansanm, ansanm, nou se lavalas. (Divide we’re weak, united we’re strong, together we’re overwhelming (lavalas – the flood)!) For Fanmi Lavalas of New York: Alina Sixto ñ KoÚdinatË ******** N”T POU LAPR”S Fanmi Lavalas nan NouyÚk, ap fË tout moun alaronnbadË konnen, li pap resevwa Marc Bazin nan lakou NouyÚk. Zak Marc Bazin ansanm ak swadizan manm dirijan Fanmi Lavalas ki sipÚte l yo se yon vÚl. Y ap seye vÚlÚ non Fanmi Lavalas pou tronpe vijilans pËp Ayisyen. Nan kad denonsyasyon vÚl sa a, Fanmi Lavalas nan NouyÚk ap fË yon delegasyon pou delivre yon mesaj bay Bazin ak akolit li yo. LËt sa ap fË l konnen: 1. Atik 8 Manman lwa Fanmi Lavalas derefize tout alyans Fanmi Lavalas ak kËlkeswa lÚt pati politik. Magouy alyans Fanmi Lavalas / MIDH la pa p pase. 2. Atik 49 di se Reprezantan Nasyonal ak KowÚdinasyon Nasyonal pati a ki gendwa voye kandida nan eleksyon. Moun sa yo nan prison, nan kache oubyen an n ekzil – yo pa voye peson nan eleksyon. Marc Bazin te di otan anfas zak sasinay ki t ap fËt sou pitit pËp Ayisyen an. Fanmi Lavalas apresye jËs sa a. Men nou pako ka bliye rigÚl san pËp la ki te koule lÚ Bazin te premyeminis nan epÚk koudeta lame d Ayiti te fË kont Prezidan Aristid. Se pou Bazin koudeta 91 la te fËt. Bazin te di otan lÚ tren lanmÚ a tap touye pËp la, men sa pa ase pou fË l yon lavalas. Pou Bazin ta Lavalas, fÚ l ta: 1. gen vizyon ekonomik ka p bay tout moun lavi. LÚ Bazin te premye minis, li monte plafon monetË de(2) fwa pou distribye lajan bay zanmi l ak pouchis. Zak sa a ban n yon goud zorËy bourik, kraze kankËs ekonomi peyi a, met malere nan plis pwoblËm. 2. gen yon vizyon politik ka p entegre pËp lan nan administrasyon leta a, ak nan chapant pati politik la. Bazin pa janm entegre pËp nan pati l li. 3. gen yon vizyon sosyal k ap reyini moun sou baz tout moun se moun. Bazin toujou mete pËp la akote. Pwen sa yo pwal jwenn Misye Bazin lÚ l vin NouyÚk, men nou voye l nan laprËs davans, pou tout moun konnen Fanmi Lavalas nan NouyÚk pa sipÚte Bazin. Yon sËl nou fËb, Ansanm nou fÚ, Ansanm, ansanm, nou se lavalas. Pou Lavalas nan NouyÚk Alina Sixto ñ KoÚdinatË Lakou New York October 27, 2005 Two N.Y.C. events this weekend: Justice for Haitians in the DR & [Kreyol text at bottom] Lakou New York invites you to 2 events happening in the community this weekend: Friday October 28th 2005, 6:30pm (International Creole Day): Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees and Lakou New York invite you to a community forum with Sonia and Marisol from MUDHA (Movement of Dominican Haitian Women). They will speak about the increasing persecutions and illegal deportations of our brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic. They will also discuss the recent decision of the Inter American Court for Human Rights decision in favor of 2 Dominican children of Haitian parents who brought charges against the Dominican government for denying them birth certificates. The event will be held on Friday October 28, 2005 at 6:30pm at St. Francis Church located on Lincoln Rd between Nostrand and New York Aves. In Brooklyn, NY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday October 30th 2005, 5pm The Committee Against Genocide in Haiti invites everyone to join us in commemorating the 86th anniversary of the assassination of Haitian patriot Charlemagne Peralte. Peralte was the leader of the Caco armed resistance to the first U.S. occupation of Haiti in 1915. He was killed by US marines on October 31st 1919. We will have a photo exhibit showing pictures of the 1st occupation and also the current occupation. There will be a talk about Peralte’s life and legacy. We will show the film ?Si m pa Rele? with Martha Jean-Claude which was produced in Cuba in 1971. There will be cultural presentation by the musical group Kongo and poetry by Berthony Dupont and Paul Tulce. Attorney Marguerite Laurent will make a presentation connecting the example of Charlemagne Peralte to “Dread” Wilme. The event will be held on Sunday October 30th, 2005 at 5pm at St. Francis Church located on Lincoln Rd between Nostrand and New York Aves. In Brooklyn, NY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Violence against Haitians in the Dominican Republic has further intensified since the announcement of an Inter American Court of Human Rights ruling against the Dominican Government on October 8, 2005. The Dominican government was condemned for denying birth certificates to 2 Dominican-born Haitian girls, and ordered to pay reparations to their families. The Dominican government has refused to comply, and has instead used this opportunity to make statements against NGOs such as MUDHA, working on behalf of Dominico-Haitians. Since May 2005, thousands of Haitians have been illegally deported with no due process by Dominican officials, including many families who have lived in DR for more than a generation. Despite claims by the Dominican government that the acts of violence against Haitians are isolated incidents, the abuses have been consistent and have resulted in many murders. Too many Haitian and Haitian-Dominican lives have been lost to xenophobia and scapegoating. We are calling for the human rights abuses to end. We want the government to implement the ruling of the Inter American Court for Human Rights. For more information, contact; You can read more about the Inter American court decision at the UC Berkely Law School – Boalt Hall Miami Herald 10-14-2005 PLEASE BRING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING These items will be sent down to the DR at the end of this week to support MUDHA in their relief work with the Haitian population that have recently been evicted. FIRST AID SUPPLIES: Water purification tablets, antibiotic cream, hydro-cortisone cream, A & D ointment, anti-allergy medication, anti-parasite medication, cold and flu medication (Tylenol), Pepto Bismol (pills), vitamins and insect repellent. PERSONAL HYGIENE GOODS: Toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, sanitary napkins, moisturizing lotion and soap. OTHER ITEMS: Tea Light candles & quality batteries (AA & D). NO FOOD OR CLOTHING PLEASE, except brand new underwear for both children and adults. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lakou New York ap envite kominote a patisipe nan 2 aktivite k ap fËt nan wikenn nan: Vandredi 28 OktÚb 2005, 6:30pm (jounen entËnasyonal KreyÚl): Fanm Ayisyen pou Refijye Ayisyen ansanm ak Lakou New York ap prezante yon fowÚm ak Sonia ak Marisol, responsab nan MUDHA ki soti nan Repiblik DominikËn sou sitiyasyon kritik Ayisyen ak desandan Ayisyen k ap viv nan peyi panyÚl. Y ap pote tout dËnye enfÚmasyon sou kokenn viktwa Tribinal EntËamerikËn pou Dwa Moun nan Costa Rica sot bay 2 pitit Ayisyen ki fËt nan Repiblik DominikËn ki te pote plent kont gouvËnman peyi a ki te refize ba yo batistË. Aktivite a ap fËt Vandredi 28 OktÚb 2005, 6:30pm, nan lokal legliz St. Fransis nan Lincoln Rd. ant New York ak Nostrand Ave. nan Brooklyn nan. Dimanch 30 OktÚb 2005, 5pm: Aktivite a ap fËt Dimanch 30 OktÚb a 5pm nan lokal legliz St. Fransis nan Lincoln Rd. ant New York ak Nostrand Ave. nan Brooklyn nan. N ap ankouraje tout moun pou pote patisipasyon pa yo. ********************* Protests against Haitian presidential candidate Marc Bazin and Washington-backed Haitian elections For Immediate Release: October 28, 2005 Contact: Berthony Dupont, 718-434-8100 Two demonstrations in New York against Washingtonís candidate in Haiti, Marc Bazin This weekend there will be two demonstrations to protest the presence in New York of Marc Bazin, who pretends to be running as the presidential candidate of the Lavalas Family party in occupation-run elections in Haiti later this year. This evening, Friday, October 28, 2005 at 6:00 p.m., there will be a picket in front of the Radisson Hotel at Kennedy Airport, 135-30 140th Street, Jamaica, NY, where Bazin will be holding a fund-raising reception. On Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2005 at 5:00 p.m., there will also be a picket in front of Crystal Manor, 1460 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, where Bazin will be holding a campaign rally. Marc Bazin was drafted by a handful of renegade Lavalas Family leaders to participate in the Washington and de facto controlled “selections” now scheduled for December. President Aristide has repudiated the “selections” and the candidacy of Bazin through his spokeswoman on October 20. Marc Bazin acted as the puppet prime minister for the military regime which overthrew Aristide on Sep. 30, 1991 and has been an agent for U.S. interests in Haiti since he was a minister for dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier in the early 1980s. A former World Bank official, Bazin ran against Aristide in the 1990 elections. This week-endís demonstrations are sponsored by Haitiís National Popular Party (PPN), the Haiti Support Network (HSN), KAKOLA, HaÔti ProgrËs, the International Action Center and the ANSWER Coalition. *************************************** To read full article go to: PRESS RELEASE – NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas October 27, 2005 “Beware of Thieves in New York,” says NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas Political Organization The NY Chapter of Fanmi Lavalas publicly state, to one and all, that Fanmi Lavalas of NY does not and will never sanction, endorse or welcome Marc Bazin to New York as a “Fanmi Lavalas” presidential candidate. The actions of Marc Bazin, as well as his handful of renegade Fanmi Lavalas members trying to give him a semblance of Fanmi Lavalas legitimacy, is purely and simply THEFT. They are trying to steal the Fanmi Lavalas name, in an attempt to deceive the ever-vigilant people of Haiti. To read full article go to: ************************************* Association of University Students Motivated For a Haiti With Rights -AUMOHD (The following is a translation by Tom Luce, Pres. Hurah, Inc. ( www.hurah.webhop.org ) of notes for a press conference held to update the public on the massacres of Aug. 20, 21 and on the general state of human rights in Haiti since the 2004 forced exile of Pres. Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The French original follows) Notes for Press Conference I – The situation of human rights in Haiti under the government of Boniface/Latortue Today, October 27, 2005, one year and eight months after the forced departure of ex-President Jean Bertrand Aristide into exile and the installation of Attorney Boniface Alexandre, former judge of the highest court of justice in the country, in which he assumed the power of Provisional President of the Republic, the expectations relative to the respect of human rights have not been fulfilled. This we say because the fundamental rights regarding individual freedom, right to life, right to health, right to freedom of _expression and the right to security, in short, all the social rights, have been violated on a massive scale, and this has been done with an intentional complicity on the part of this new provisional government. This government now representing the State has the highest constitutional obligation to guarantee, to protect, and to promote human rights in this country. AUMOHD states that during the last year and eight months the general situation of human rights and of the dignity of the human person has become more and more alarming: arrests without warrant, without any crime alleged, and followed by abusive and prolonged detentions; summary executions; disappearances, torture, massacres in the poor neighborhoods like BelAir, CitÈ Soleil, Solino, Fort National and notably in Gran Ravin. A. Examples: Illegal Arrests: more than 90% of arrests carried out during this period have been done arbitrarily and illegally. Cases of Torture and mistreatment *FeguiËre Mathurin, arrested July 25 by the Haitian National Ppolice, burned terribly in the police transport truck, currently held at the judiciary police station in spite of his terrible wounds *Fedna St. Fleur, a young woman 19 years old, tortured by the police assigned to the Delmas 33 police station who have now been transferred to the DDO (Western Region) of Port-Au-Prince. Massacres 1. Organized invasion followed by a planned massacre on Feb. 29, 2005 which took place at the National Penitentiary. To this day no results of the investigation, no explanation to the people. 2. Masscre on November 23, 2004 at Fort National where more than 13 young people were assassinated under conditions which still remain to be explained. 3. The massacre which took place at CitÈ Soleil, July 6, 2005 where many innocent citizens were brutally killed by the troops from MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police. 4. The massacre on August 20, and 21, 2005 in Martissant where spectators were attacked by machetes and guns during a soccer game wehre more than 6,000 fans had gathered, and in Gran Ravin where more than 5 houses were torched by the police and armed civilians. NOTE: in spite of repeated investigations conducted by AUMOHD it is still not possible to render a definitive account of the people killed, disappeared and wounded in this sordid drama. Nevertheless the information received on site from witnesses and victims has established that there were about 50 wounded and more than 30 dead, six of whose bodies are still lying in the state hospital morgue. It should be noted that according to witness and victims all the bodies were not transported to the hospital and therefore many of them were taken away and disappeared. The bodies found at the state hospital morgue are: * Alcidas Erinel, killed by bullets and machete blows * Reginald Michel, age 26, was hit on the head with several bullets * Nesdou Fevry, age 24, received 2 bullets in the stomach, other wounds in the back resembling bullet wounds. His right arm has machete marks * Denis Jean Marie, age 17, was hit by two bullets in the head and two others in the back * GrÈgory Odice, age 28, hit twice in the head by bullets * Frank Herne, killed by machete blows Four others killed according to witnesses went by the name of *Guignol Saint Felix, killed by bullets *Ti Blanc, so-called, killed by bullets * Wasnay, so-called, killed by bullets * Dent CassÈe, so-called, killed by bullets Wounded were: *Jocelyn Alcinous, 18 years, hit by two bullets in the thigh and right hand * Enock Laplante, alias Arthur, wounded by machete blows * Junior Cadet, wounded on the sole of his left foot * Winzor Michel, broken left foot Recommendations by AUMOHD Group I – Gran Ravin 1. Justice and reparation for all victims of this massacre 2. The government of Haiti should take care of the families of victims 3. Bring to justice all those responsible for this massacre, including those who were the actual perpetrators, co-perpetrators, and accomplices 4. Assure the safety of the families and witnesses of this odious crime. Group II -Political 1. Liberation of all political prisoners 2. Stop all political persecution and hunting down of members of the Fanmi Lavalas party Let there be a free and democratic Haiti! Justise and reparation for all Victims! =========== ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITAIRES MOTIVES POUR UNE HAITI DE DROIT 181, Autoroute de Delmas 23 En face de la SogÈbank Email : aumohddwamoun@yahoo.fr Port au Prince, 27 Octobre 2005 I.- La situation des droits humains en HaÔti sous le gouvernement de Boniface/ LATORTUE. Aujourdíhui 27 Octobre 2005 soit, un (1) an et huit (8) aprËs le dÈpart forcÈ de líex PrÈsident Jean Bertrand ARISTIDE pour líexile et líinstallation de Me. Boniface ALEXANDRE, ancien juge de la plus haute cour de justice du pays, au pouvoir comme PrÈsident Provisoire de la RÈpublique, les attentes relatives aux respects des droits Humains ne sont pas comblÈes. Car, les droits fondamentaux relatifs a la libertÈ individuelle, le droit a la vie, le droit a la santÈ ; le droit a la libertÈ dí_expression et le droit a la sÈcuritÈ, donc, tous les droits Sociaux sont violÈs a la plus grande Èchelle ceci, avec une certaine complicitÈ motivÈe de cette nouvelle Èquipe gouvernementale qui prÈsentement constitue líEtat et, qui a líimpÈrieuse obligation constitutionnelle de garantir, de protÈger et de promouvoir les droits humains dans ce pays. AUMOHD constate, durant ces un (1) an huit (8) mois, la situation gÈnÈrale des droits Humains et de la dignitÈ de la personne humaine en HaÔti devient de plus en plus alarmante, des arrestations sans mandat de justice et en dehors de toute flagrance suivis de dÈtentions abusives et prolongÈes ; des exÈcutions sommaires ; des disparitions, des tortures et des massacres dans les quartiers populaires comme au Bel -Air, a Cite Soleil, a Solino, au fort National et notamment a Gran Ravin. A titre díexemple : Cas de tortures et de mauvais traitements : Le cas de Fedna St Fleur, une jeune fille de 19 ans torturÈe par des policiers attaches au Commissariat de Delmas 33, lesquels policiers, actuellement transfÈrÈs ‡ la DDO de Port au Prince. Cas de massacre 2.- Le massacre du 23 Novembre qui a eu lieu au fort national ou plus de treize jeunes ont ÈtÈ assassines dans des conditions qui restent qui encore a Èclaircir. 3.- Le massacre qui a eu lieu a Cite Soleil le six (6) juillet 2005, ou beaucoup de citoyens innocents ont ÈtÈ tues l‚chement par les soldats de la MI NUSTAH et les policiers de la PNH. 4.-Le massacre du 20 et 21 Aot 2005 qui a eu lieu a Martissan ou Des spectateurs ont ÈtÈ attaquÈs ‡ coups de machettes et ‡ l’armes ‡ feu lors díun match de foot balle qui rÈunissait plus de six mille (6.000) de supporteurs et a Gran Ravin ou plus de cinq (5) maisons ont ÈtÈ brlÈes par la police et des civils armÈs. Remarque Il faut noter que selon les tÈmoins et les tÈmoins victimes tous corps níont pas ÈtÈ Transportes a líhÙpital, donc, beaucoup díentre eux sont portes disparus. Les corps retrouvÈs ‡ la morgue de líHUEH sont : ï Ti Blanc ainsi connu, tuÈ par balles ; Recommandations de líAUMOHD : Vive une HaÔti libre et dÈmocratique Justice et rÈparation pour toutes les victimes ! — October 27, 2005 (The NEJM Report: content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/353/17/1810) A new study documents for the first time the devastating exodus of doctors from Africa and the Caribbean to four wealthy English-speaking nations, the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, which now depend on international medical graduates for a quarter of their physicians. The findings are being published today in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study is likely to fuel an already furious debate about the role the developed world is playing in weakening African public health systems that have already been hit with pandemics that have shortened life expectancies in some countries. Dr. Agyeman Akosa, the director general of Ghana’s health service, said in a phone interview from Geneva, where he is attending a World Health Organization forum on the global medical staffing crisis, that his country’s public health system was virtually collapsing because it was losing not just many of its doctors, but its best ones. “I have at least nine hospitals that have no doctor at all, and 20 hospitals with only one doctor looking after a whole district of 80,000 to 120,000 people,” Dr. Akosa said. Women in obstructed labor all too often suffer terrible complications or death for lack of an obstetrician, he said. The study found that Ghana, with only 6 doctors for each 100,000 people, has lost 3 of every 10 doctors it has educated to the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, each of which has more than 220 doctors per 100,000 people. Dr. Fitzhugh Mullan, a professor of medicine and public health at George Washington University, who carried out the study, tapped into databases in the four rich countries to learn where their international medical graduates had come from. He said the flight of doctors was less the result of deliberate policies in the wealthy countries than of their failure to train enough doctors to fill their own needs. For example, the United States has about 17,000 medical school graduates each year for 22,000 first-year residency slots. “One of the most important things the United States can do for global health, frankly, is to educate more physicians in the United States to work in the United States,” he said. The biggest losers are the small to medium-size countries of Africa and the Caribbean. Dr. Mullan’s research found that Jamaica, for example, has lost 41 percent of its doctors and Haiti 35 percent, while Ghana has lost 30 percent and South Africa, Ethiopia and Uganda 14 to 19 percent. In an editorial that accompanies Dr. Mullan’s article, Dr. Lincoln C. Chen, director of the Global Equity Center at Harvard, and Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford, a professor of health policy at New York University, call the exodus of publicly trained doctors “a silent theft” by the richest countries from the poorest. Crumbling public health systems in poor countries, they wrote, also threaten the health of Americans in the face of potential outbreaks of avian flu and SARS. “Protecting Americans requires viral detection and interdiction at points of origin,” they wrote. Public health leaders in Africa say they will have to reform their own ailing systems. Dr. Francis Omaswa, who was director general of Uganda’s health service until July, said that half of its doctor positions were vacant – and that the exodus was not the only cause. For example, he said, some unemployed doctors cannot find jobs because they are not adequately advertised. Dr. Omaswa, now a special adviser to the World Health Organization on human resources for health, is helping to devise a set of proposals for what African and developed countries can do to ease the staffing crisis. “Africa cannot solve it alone,” he said. **************** THE WORSE U.N. SCANDAL October 24, 2005 Nothing discredits the United Nations more than the continuing sexual abuse of women and girls by soldiers belonging to its international peacekeeping missions. And yet almost a year after shocking disclosures about such crimes in Congo, far too little has been done to end the culture of impunity,exploitation and sexual chauvinism that permits them to go on. The whole purpose of these missions is to help countries ravaged by civil or international conflict restore stability, guarantee public security and instill the rule of law. When United Nations peacekeepers rape the people they were sent to protect and coerce women and girls to trade sex for food,as they were found to have done in Congo last winter, they defeat the purpose of their mission and exploit some of the world’s most vulnerable people. The Congo episode became a public scandal last March, after an investigation led by Jordan’s U.N. ambassador, Prince Zeid Raad al-Hussein, produced a blistering report. In the following weeks, the air at United Nations headquarters was filled with expressions of righteous outrage. The Security Council condemned sexual abuse. United Nations officials promised stricter supervision. Several groups of suspected peacekeepers were returned to their home countries for trial and punishment. But six months later there has been disappointingly little change in the attitudes that feed such abuse. That was the finding of a new report by Refugees International, an advocacy group that recently visited peacekeepers in Haiti and Liberia. A similar view comes from Prince Zeid, who rightly faults member states for not taking the issue seriously. The clearest possible message needs to be sent at every level that sexual abuse will not be tolerated, that individual offenders will be prosecuted and punished, and that countries that fail to impose discipline will no longer be allowed to take part in peacekeeping missions. ********* UN PEACEKEEPERS STILL ABUSING WOMEN, SAYS REPORT October 20, 2005 www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?id=9340 Despite recent international attention to the problem, United Nations peacekeepers are still sexually exploiting and abusing women in the countries in which they serve, according to a report released yesterday by Refugees International. The report, “Must Boys Be Boys?,” was prepared by Sarah Martin, who visited peacekeeping missions in Haiti and Liberia. As Martin writes in her executive summary, “Since the bulk of personnel in peacekeeping missions are men, a hyper-masculine culture that encourages sexual exploitation and abuse and a tradition of silence have evolved within them.” The majority of complaints heard by Refugees International were about expatriate men, both UN employees and others, carrying on “inappropriate relationships” (such as paying for sex) with local women. In a press briefing Tuesday, reported by the New York Times, Martin said that rapes were often considered merely an outcome of prostitution. The reportís recommendations include increasing female representation among the UN troops and in senior management positions, setting up an independent watchdog organization and mandatory training programs on gender issues, improving access to the UN complaint process, and conducting programs to empower local women in post-combat areas. Earlier this year, Prince Zeid Raad al-Hussein, Jordanís ambassador to the UN, reported that UN peacekeepers in the Congo were having sex with women and girls in exchange for food and money, and in some cases committing rape. At the Tuesday briefing, he said that influential member states of the United Nations had greeted his report with “utter silence,” the Times reports. ********* MUST BOYS BE BOYS? URGES END TO EXPLOITATION BY PEACEKEEPERS PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE 10/18/2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: PANEL BRIEFING & REPORT URGE UN ACTION TO END SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS New Report Argues “Boys will be Boys” Attitude Leads to Tolerance of Behavior www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/7056/ New York, NY ñ Refugees International charged today in a new report that a culture that tolerates sexual exploitation and abuse has evolved in UN peacekeeping missions. The report, Must Boys Be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Missions, was released as part of a panel discussion co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations. Refugees International also urged the UN to insure that adequate funding and resources are available to address the problem. His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Raíad Zeid al-Hussein of the Jordanian mission to the United Nations and Anna Shotton, the Focal Point for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) were also members of the panel and agreed that while the UN has made progress in addressing the problem, more can be done. The panel was moderated by H.E. Mr. Augustine Mahiga of Tanzania, Permanent Representative to the Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations. “A ëboys will be boysí attitude in peacekeeping missions breeds tolerance for exploiting and abusing local women. This attitude is slowly changing, but the UN must go beyond rhetoric and insure that the resources needed to change this culture are available,” said Sarah Martin, Advocate for Refugees International and author of Must Boys Be Boys? “Sexual misconduct compromises peacekeepersí ability to transform conflict and bring about a stable peace.” Must Boys Be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Missions uses UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Haiti as an example and argues that a “hyper-masculine culture” has evolved that breeds a “wall of silence” that bonds together members to protect them from outside criticism. Even in countries where it is illegal, solicitation of prostitutes by men in post-conflict countries is treated as commonplace. Employees are reluctant to report sexual misconduct by colleagues due to fear of recrimination from within the system. UN employees confirm that many do not truly buy into the UNís official policy of zero tolerance and zero contact. “Until there is a better understanding of the zero contact rule, peacekeepers will continue to think of it as a rule that makes no sense. Fear of punishment is not enough to ensure compliance,” Martin said. Liberians regularly complained to Refugees International about the problem. A Liberian man said in an interview, “This behavior would not be acceptable in the home country of these soldiers. Why are these soldiers playing around with our children?” Anna Shotton pointed out at the briefing that the UN is committed to “zero-complacency and zero-impunity” for those found guilty of such acts and that this commitment is getting through to UN personnel. “Tremendous progress has been made over the past year to drive home the UNís message of zero-tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse,” Ms. Shotton stated. “However, the message has not gotten through to all peacekeeping personnel. Much remains to be done.” His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Raíad Zeid al-Hussein, who released “A Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Future Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations” in February 2005 per the request of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, also participated in the briefing. Must Boys Be Boys? describes Prince Zeidís report as an honest and far-reaching account that makes bold recommendations to eliminate this problem. The new report builds on Prince Zeidís findings and outlines a broad series of recommendations in the following six areas: * Systematically incorporating a gender perspective into all UN peacekeeping operations. * Changing attitudes of senior management in UN peacekeeping missions. * Focusing on problems with civilian personnel ñ a group who regularly has been overlooked. * Using culturally-appropriate programs that are developed with womenís organizations to train peacekeeping troops and monitor and evaluate training results. * Improving access to the UN complaint system so that local women know who to reach out to when a problem occurs and understand that their complaint will be taken seriously. * Empowering women in local communities so that they have a means to support themselves beyond commercial sex work. “The UN must support peacekeeping troops and implement these recommendations. Given the right tools, effective peacekeeping operations can bring about a stable peace so that displaced people can return home and societies can begin to rebuild,” Martin concluded. “Allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse cast a dark shadow over the positive impacts that UN peacekeepers have made and compromise their mission to secure the peace.” See also: * MUST BOYS BE BOYS? ENDING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION & ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS By Sarah Martin 1. Must Boys Be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Missions argues that a hyper-masculine culture has evolved within UN peace keeping missions that breeds a tolerance for such extreme behaviors. The report calls on the UN to insure that the necessary funding and resources are made available to fully address the problem. Download a full copy of the report. (Note: This .pdf file is 2.25 MB) * REPORT FINDS U.N. ISNíT MOVING TO END SEX ABUSE BY PEACEKEEPERS www.nytimes.com/2005/10/19/international/19nations. * THE U.N. SEX SCANDAL www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/081zxelz.asp **************** The Phony Elections in Haiti and U.S. Attempts to Exterminate Fanmi Lavalas Party Flashpoints! Radio October 26, 2005 —> Listen: —> Download: —> Flashpoints! Podcast: Today on Flashpoints: [Excerpt] We devote the entire hour to the 08:00 Haiti Report 25:00 Film: Haiti: The Untold Story **************** “Transformation is only valid if it is carried out with the people, not for them. Liberation is like a childbirth, and a painful one. The person who emerges is a new person: no longer either oppressor or oppressed, but a person in the process of achieving freedom. It is only the oppressed who, by freeing themselves, can free their oppressors.” ************************************************** “Men anpil chay pa lou” is Kreyol for – “Many hands make light a heavy Matters To Be Investigated by people of the world and courts of law on the * The Bush bloodbath brought to Haiti – List (partial) of Victims and * 5-point demands from the grassroots and Fanmi Lavalas-base in Haiti for *********** 1. Liberation of all political prisoners including Father Gerard 2. The Latortue government must go. 3. The repression and killings in the popular neighborhoods must stop 4. Disarmament. Arms must be gone. There cannot be elections with all 5. President Aristide and all those in exile must be allowed to return HLLN’s Open Letter Demanding a stop to UN slaughter in Site Soley Demand a Stop to the killings in Site Soley | Denounce the slaughter But please DO NOT send appeals to the UN, send appeals and background info to the MEDIA. Flood the U.S. local, national and international media with your concerns about the abuse, occupation and re-enslavement of the people of Site Soley and Haiti. ************Urgent Action Requested************************ |
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