McDONOUGH: REPORTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN HAITI

WARRANT CANADIAN INVESTIGATION

OTTAWA – NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Alexa McDonough is growing increasingly concerned about reports of human rights violations in Haiti.

“There have been numerous reports of human rights violations taking place in Haiti. Canada has a presence in that country. Accordingly, we have a moral obligation to investigate these reported violations and ensure that we are accomplishing our intended goals of peace-building and capacity building in that country,” said McDonough.

Canadian Haitians and others who are monitoring the situation in Haiti have expressed serious concern that the interim government is not protecting the safety of Haitians. Concerns have also been expressed about former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, popular folk singer So Anne, and Interior Minister Jocelerme Privert who are among the more than 700 Lavalas supporters and members arrested since Aristide’s removal.

“Canadians need to understand fully the role of the Canadian government employees who are purported to be working within the interim government of Haiti, including the Ministry of Justice which is responsible for prisons and political prisoners,” said McDonough.

“Canadians also need to be reassured that Canada’s CIDA funding is being spent in the right way, and our RCMP’s training and logistical support is effective in enhancing the Haitian police’s ability to actually protect citizens from attacks, killings, intimidation, property confiscation and unlawful imprisonment,” added McDonough.

“The future stability of Haiti depends on building lasting democratic institutions, functioning civic infrastructure, and open and transparent government. Haiti’s stability also requires that Haitians’ human rights be protected,” said McDonough.