SOCCER MASSACRE ALERT - 5 OFFICERS CHARGED IN THE AUGUST 20-21 MASSACRES HAVE BEEN LET OUT ON BAIL
MARCH 14, 2006
BY TOM LUCE
UPDATE March16: The names of the officers released on their own recognizance have been placed on the US list of not to be given visas.
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left: Judge Jean Paul-Pérès
Last Thursday Judge Jean Paul Peres freed "on personal recognizance" 5 of the policemen charged with involvement in the "Soccer" massacres last August. The law in Haiti allows for judges to let prisoners accused of a crime go back to the streets just as in this country. No assurances seem to have been made to keep these men from fleeing the country. Hurah, Inc. and AUMOHD are asking for the international community to weigh in on the matter in solidarity. We have the names and fax numbers of the officials involved. Plus we have the e-mails of other officials who should be put on notice that we're watching this very closely. Unfortunately faxes don't work very well. We have hand delivered the original fax that we reproduce below. If you only sent e-mails to the people listed you would be helping very much. Send us a copy of any e-mails you send. Thanks.
Originally 15 police, including two high ranking chiefs were arrested and detained in the fall of 2005 because of their involvement in the "Soccer" massacres committed on Aug. 20-21, 2005. Following a well-done police investigation from the central headquarters these officers were actually put into the judicial system. This was a major accomplishment, due in no small part, to the new Director General of the Haitian police, Mario Andresol. Since this action was taken, supporters of the arrested policemen have called for their liberation, for the resignation of Mr. Andresol, and for the removal of the UN which has been given a mandate to supervise all Haitian police activity since last summer. The pressure has been heavy. Judge Jean Paul Peres, the same judge who has kept Fr. Jean-Juste in jail illegally, is the one who gave the bail order for these police. He was also the judge who first arrested two journalists trying to cover the ransacking of Fr. Jean-Juste's parish house in September by the Haitian police. He was afterward forced to drop the case.
Our goal is to get the authorities to explain this release with no seeming guarantees that the accused will stay in the country. We are also asking that the authorities begin to do something about compensation for the victims and their families of the massacres. Finally we want to point out that there are many innocent people in jail detained illegally who should be released as well. We're also contacting the US Immigration Department asking that the names of these accused are listed on the "no entry" list for the US.
Thanks for your attention.
FAX
To: Mr. Gerard Latortue, Prime Minister
509-298-3901
Atty. Henri Dorléans, Minister of Justice and Public Security
509-245-7374
Mr. Mario Andresol, Director General, Haitian National Police
509-245-7374
Mr. Leny Fred'Herck, Chief Prosecutor
cc: Dana Banks, Human Rights Officer <BanksD@state.gov>U.S.Embassy; Mr. Juan Gabriel Valdes, <valdes@un.org> MINUSTAH; Gerardo Ducos, gducos@amnesty.org Amnesty International; hurah_inc@riseup.net
RE: The case of the massacre with police involvement at St. Bernadette Park, Aug. 20, 2006
Dear Sirs:
We have learned that several officers including Mr. Carlo LOCHARD detained for their presumptive implication in the massacre of August 20, 2006 have been released on bail by Judge Jean Perez Paul.
Ever since the days immediately following the cruel event at St. Bernadette Park AUMOHD, Association of University Graduates Motivated for a Haiti with Rights, has put themselves at the disposition of the victims and up to the present time are working with a whole community group of families and people in the region devoted to the pursuit of justice for this crime.
AUMOHD obtained the cooperation of the Director General of the Haitian National Police, Mr. Mario Andresol who has pursued a number of actions of a high degree of professionalism in the carrying out of his responsibilities. Following the investigation of Dr. Coicou the case was transferred to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office and the officers in question were detained.
We would like to know, Sirs, if a guarantee has been obtained to keep these officers in Haiti so that the case can be effectively followed according to the law. Also we would like to know what measures have been taken to bring relief to the community as well as to recompense the families of the victims.
Please, Sirs, communicate your answers to these questions directly to Atty. Evel FANFAN, President of AUMOHD, 424-3334, e-mail: aumohddwamoun@yahoo.fr
Thank you for your understanding and your attention. Please accept, Sirs, the expression of our most respectful regards.
Sincerely,