Aid for Haiti

[nancyk58]

News on 7 December 2011 in relation to HAITI

 

DP

[nancyk58]

Cholera in Haiti: Causes and Containment Efforts

 

http://www.care2.com/causes/human-rights/blog/cholera-in-haiti-causes-and-containment-efforts/

 

Cholera in Haiti: Causes and Containment Efforts

posted by: Laura B.

 

By Kyna Rubin, SOS Children's Villages

 

More than 125,000 Haitians have been infected and more than 3,200 killed by the nation's cholera epidemic, according to The Seattle Times. The disease, which flared up in October 2010 and is expected to grow in the next year, hadn't been present in Haiti for 50 years.

 

The bacterial infection comes from water and food contaminated by human feces. Its appearance in Haiti has been blamed on infected Nepalese peacekeepers stationed at a U.N. camp near Mirebalais, in central Haiti. Fueling this theory was the November 1st presentation of lab test results by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Haiti government revealing that Haiti's recent cholera strain "is most similar to strains found in South Asia." According to the CDC, however, more work is needed to confirm the origin of Haiti's cholera strain.

 

Some scientists have told SciDev.Net that atmospheric changes brought by La Niña, together with the post-earthquake drop in water quality and sanitation, are a more likely explanation for the cholera trigger.

 

Working to Stem the Spread

 

Whatever the precise cause of the scourge, nongovernmental groups providing earthquake relief to Haitian families and children have been engaging in education campaigns to get residents to use latrines rather than defecate in fields, wash their hands, drink treated water, and seek medical help at the first symptoms of the disease. Some organizations are using catchy songs to encourage proper hygienic practices.

 

Since the cholera outbreak last fall, SOS Children's Villages has been carrying out cholera-awareness campaigns in all of its facilities including its two Children's Villages in Santo and Cap Haitien, SOS schools, and in a range of communities in which the organization works to bolster vulnerable families. SOS demonstrations of proper handwashing have become so widespread that, according to an SOS field report, Haitians now talk about "the dirty hands illness." SOS has also distributed chlorine tablets for water and installed water filters.

 

Sadly, recent violence sparked by the disputed election has hindered cholera prevention efforts. Working under very challenging conditions, SOS and other groups nonetheless persist in their work to promote good hygiene.

[nancyk58]

News on 10.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

NEWS on 10.1.11 in relation to natural disasters:

 

 

German ZDFtext: ABOUT 1/4 OF EU's PLEDGED HAITI AID MADE AVAILABLE TO HAITI

 

Almost one year after the HAITI earthquake, the European Union and its member states have paid / made available 1/4 of the pledged aid - almost 332 million Euro out of the pledged 1.2 billion Euro until the end of 2010 according to the EU Commission in Brussels (Bruxelles).

 

1.5 million inhabitants became homeless due to the earthquake. In the reconstruction phase a cholera epidemic broke out. More than 3,600 Haitians have died from cholera.

[nancyk58]

News on 11.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

Danish DR1: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN HAITI CLOSE TO DEADLOCK

 

HAITI's approaches a serious political crisis. Election observers from the Organization of African States (OAS) have recommended that the candidate of the current president should pull out of the election = withdraw from the second election round. President Réné Préval said that so far he had "not had the time" to receive the report from the election observers. That means that the report including the recommendation is not yet official. This means that the election authorities cannot incorporate the report's recommendations in their final decisions in relation to the second round of the presidential election.

 

 

German ZDFtext: THE EUROPEAN UNION WANTS MORE DEVELOPMENT AID FOR HAITI

 

One year after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the EU has stressed the necessity of more development aid. The EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgiewa: "The greatest problem is the lack of institutions and a good governance". Instability in Haiti prevents the aid from reaching the needy Haitians.

 

 

German ZDFtext: UPDATE OF THE SITUATION ONE YEAR AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

 

One year ago - on 12.1.10 - a devastating earthquake shook the Caribbean state of HAITI.

 

Between 230,000 and 300,000 (I have also seen the figure 330,000) Haitians died, and more than 100,000 buildings were destroyed.

 

The Haitian economy has been reduced by 7% since the earthquake.

 

More than 1 million survivors including 380,000 children are still living in 1,200 tent cities and tented camps.

 

More than 3,700 Haitians - according to Haiti's Health Ministry: 3,732 until the beginning of January 2011 - have died due to cholera which broke out in Mid-October.

 

More than 155,000 are currently infected.

 

According to Haiti's Health Ministry: More than 178,400 have been infected since the outbreak of the cholera epidemic 10 weeks ago.

 

13 people die per day due to cholera.

 

International experts believe that the actual figures of deaths and infected Haitians are much higher.

 

 

German ZDFtext: DONATIONS AND AID FOR HAITI

 

The Americans alone have donated more than 1.4 billion dollar to help the survivors and to set Haiti on its feet again. During a donor conference in new York, Haiti was pledged 4.6 billion dollar until the end of 2011. According to UN information, not even 2/3 of the pledged funds have arrived.

 

 

UNICEF information:

 

UNICEF and its partners equipped 720,000 children with school material.

 

15,000 school teachers were trained / provided.

 

72 cholera centres were equipped with tents and medicaments.

[nancyk58]

News on 12.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

HAITI: US president OBAMA appeals to the world community to live up to its aid pledges (German ZDFtext)

 

Haiti's death toll has risen to 316,000. (Danish DR1)

 

The death toll after the devastating earthquake in HAITI one year ago has been upgraded from 250,000 to 316,000. Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said this at a press conference held in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince by Haiti's temporary Reconstruction Commission chaired by former US president Bill Clinton and himself.

 

Swedish SVT: Thousands of white-clad Haitians participated in the central memorial service in the ruins of Port-au-Prince's cathedral for the 316,000 earthquake victims. UN envoy Bill Clinton and the Haitian hiphop star Wyclef Jean were present. Businesses, schools and authorities were closed today. The ceremonies culminated in one minute of silence at 16:53 local time (22:53 central European time), i.e. the time of the devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake one year ago, i.e. on 12 January, 2010.

 

TV2, News / live: Today, the Secretary-General of Danish Red Cross, Ladekarl, criticized the UNITED NATIONS because of the lack of progress in Haiti since the earthquake one year ago. 1 million Haitians are still living in makeshift tents. Ladekarl fears that 800,000 Haitians will have to live their lives in makeshift camps if the WORLD COMMUNITY does not intervene. He also blames the BUREAUCRACY - Danish Red Cross has got several ambulances, but these cannot be used without number plates (license plates), and that takes a lot of time! Then there is the POWER STRUGGLE between the presidential candidates after suspicion of election fraud.

 

The UN and the aid agencies are cooperating with the government. This is a problem as the government is corrupt.

 

Bill Clinton said that only 60% of the pledged aid arrived in 2010.

 

Reconstruction is stagnant and a failure.

 

HAITI will be depending on emergency aid for many years.

[nancyk58]

An informative, but saddening article in relation to HAITI

 

In Haiti, Corporations Profit While People Suffer

 

 

One year after an earthquake devastated Haiti, much of the promised relief and reconstruction aid has not reached those most in need. In fact, the nation's tragedy has served as an opportunity to further enrich corporate interests.

 

The details of a recent lawsuit, as reported by Business Week, highlights the ways in which contractors -- including some of the same players who profited from Hurricane Katrina-related reconstruction -- have continued to use their political connections to gain profits from others' suffering, receiving contacts worth tens of millions of dollars while the Haitian people receive pennies at best. It also demonstrates ways in which charity and development efforts have mirrored and contributed to corporate abuses.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlu82IL6Veg&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Haiti's unspent billions examined[/ame]

 

Lewis Lucke, a 27-year veteran of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was named US special coordinator for relief and reconstruction after the earthquake. He worked this job for a few months, then immediately moved to the private sector, where he could sell his contacts and connections to the highest bidder. He quickly got a $30,000-a-month (plus bonuses) contract with the Haiti Recovery Group (HRG).

 

HRG had been founded by AshBritt, Inc., a Florida-based contractor who had received acres of bad press for their post-Katrina contracting. AshBritt's partner in HRG is Gilbert Bigio, a wealthy Haitian businessman with close ties to the Israeli military. Bigio made a fortune during the corrupt Duvalier regime and was a supporter of the right-wing coup against Haitian president Aristide.

 

Although Lucke received $60,000 for two months' work, he is suing because he says he is owed an additional $500,000 for the more than 20-million dollars in contracts he helped HRG obtain during that time.

 

As CorpWatch has reported, AshBritt "has enjoyed meteoric growth since it won its first big debris removal subcontract from none other than Halliburton, to help clean up after Hurricane Andrew in 1992." In 1999, the company also faced allegations of double billing for $765,000 from the Broward County, Florida school board for clean-up done in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma.

 

AshBritt CEO Randal Perkins is a major donor to Republican causes and hired Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's firm, as well as former US Army Corp of Engineers official Mike Parker, as lobbyists. As a reward for his political connections, AshBritt won 900 million dollars in Post-Katrina contracts, helping them to become the poster child for political corruption in the world of disaster profiteering, even triggering a congressional investigation focusing on their buying of influence. MSNBC reported in early 2006 that criticism of AshBritt "can be heard in virtually every coastal community between Alabama and Texas."

 

The contracts given to Bush cronies like AshBritt resulted in local and minority-owned companies losing out on reconstruction work. As Multinational Monitor noted shortly after Katrina, "by turning the contracting process over to prime contractors like AshBritt, the Corps and FEMA have effectively privatized the enforcement of Federal Acquisition Regulations and disaster relief laws such as the Stafford Act, which require contracting officials to prioritize local businesses and give 5 percent of contracts to minority-owned businesses. As a result . . . early reports suggest that over 90 percent of the $2 billion in initial contracts was awarded to companies based outside of the three primary affected states, and that minority businesses received just 1.5 percent of the first $1.6 billion."

 

Alex Dupuy, writing in the Washington Post, reported a similar pattern in Haiti, noting that "of the more than 1,500 US contracts doled out worth $267 million, only 20, worth $4.3 million, have gone to Haitian firms. The rest have gone to US firms, which almost exclusively use US suppliers.

Although these foreign contractors employ Haitians, mostly on a cash-for-work basis, the bulk of the money and profits are reinvested in the United States." The same article notes that "less than 10 percent of the $9 billion pledged by foreign donors has been delivered, and not all of that money has been spent.

 

Other than rebuilding the international airport and clearing the principal urban arteries of rubble, no major infrastructure rebuilding -- roads, ports, housing, communications -- has begun."

 

 

The disaster profiteering exemplified by AshBritt is not just the result of quick decision-making in the midst of a crisis. These contracts are awarded as part of a corporate agenda that sees disaster as an opportunity, a tool for furthering policies that would not be possible in other times. Naomi Klein exposed evidence that, within 24 hours of the earthquake, the influential right-wing think tank the Heritage Foundation was already laying plans to use the disaster as an attempt at further privatization of the country's economy.

 

Relief and recovery efforts, led by the US military, have also brought a further militarization of relief and criminalization of survivors. Haiti and Katrina also served as staging grounds for increased involvement of mercenaries in reconstruction efforts. As one Blackwater mercenary told Jeremy Scahill when he visited New Orleans in the days after Katrina, "This is a trend. You're going to see a lot more guys like us in these situations."

 

And it's not just corporations who have been guilty of profiting from Haitian suffering. A recent report from the Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) describes a "significant lack of transparency in the disaster-relief/aid community," and finds that many relief organizations have left donations for Haiti in their bank accounts, earning interest rather than helping the people of Haiti. DAP director Ben Smilowitz notes that "the fact that nearly half of the donated dollars still sit in the bank accounts of relief and aid groups does not match the urgency of their own fundraising and marketing efforts and donors' intentions, nor does it covey the urgency of the situation on the ground."

 

Haitian poet and human rights lawyer Ezili Dantò has written:

 

"Haiti's poverty began with a US/Euro trade embargo after its independence, continued with the Independence Debt to France and ecclesiastical and financial colonialism. Moreover, in more recent times, the uses of US foreign aid, as administered through USAID in Haiti, basically serves to fuel conflicts and covertly promote US corporate interests to the detriment of democracy and Haitian health, liberty, sovereignty, social justice and political freedoms. USAID projects have been at the frontlines of orchestrating undemocratic behavior, bringing underdevelopment, coup d'etat, impunity of the Haitian Oligarchy, indefinite incarceration of dissenters, and destroying Haiti's food sovereignty essentially promoting famine."

 

Since before the earthquake, Haiti has been a victim of many of those who have claimed they are there to help. Until we address this fundamental issue of corporate profiteering masquerading as aid and development, the nation will remain mired in poverty. And future disasters, wherever they occur, will lead to similar injustices.

[nancyk58]

News in the eve of 16.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

Late news in relation to HAITI on SUNDAY 16.1.11, post II SUNDAY

 

 

News feature from Danish DR1 at 21:10 central European time:

 

There was something about HAITI which could partly explain the state of affairs in HAITI.

 

In 1985 HAITI wanted a foreign loan - and to get it, the people in power supported imports of US rice.

 

The price of MIAMI rice was and is much cheaper than rice produced in Haiti (200 vs. 500 - not sure of the currency).

 

The poor population had no other choice than to buy and eat the cheap MIAMI rice even though the Haitian rice was better - but also clearly the most expensive.

 

This meant bad times for Haiti's rice production and Haiti's farmers who became even poorer.

 

Bill Clinton has said that he was sorry for his country's conduct. He admitted that his administration's policy benefitted US farmers and NOT Haiti's population.

 

The prices for food are very high in HAITI so many Haitians have to go to bed hungry. Sometimes the adults try to give the hungry, crying children salt water in the hope that they will fall asleep.

[nancyk58]

Surprising news in relation to HAITI on 17.1.11

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11943820

 

17 January 2011 Last updated at 01:46 GMT

 

'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti from exile

 

 

The former president of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, has returned to the country, 25 years after he was overthrown by a popular revolt.

 

Mr Duvalier, 59 - also known as "Baby Doc" - arrived on a flight from France, where he has been living in exile.

 

He said he had come back "to help the people of Haiti" following last year's devastating earthquake.

 

His return comes at a time of political uncertainty over disputed presidential elections.

 

Wearing a dark suit and tie, Mr Duvalier was greeted by a small group of supporters when he stepped off an Air France flight at Port-au-Prince airport.

 

Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957.

 

He is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule.

 

Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies.

 

Voodoo cult

Like his father, he relied on a brutal private militia known as the "Tontons Macoutes," which controlled Haiti through violence and intimidation.

 

"Papa Doc" reinforced his power with a fearsome personality cult based on Haiti's traditional voodoo religion, but "Baby Doc" was regarded as more of a playboy.

 

In 1986 he was forced to flee into exile by a popular uprising, as well as diplomatic pressure from the US.

 

Since then, he has lived in France, although he was never granted formal political asylum.

 

In a radio interview in 2007, he asked the Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule.

 

A small group of Duvalier loyalists have been campaigning to bring him home from exile.

 

His return to Haiti came on the day the country was supposed to hold the second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing president Rene Preval.

 

But the vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper.

 

Provisional results of the 28 November first round provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced in December, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation.

 

Haiti is also struggling to recover from a the massive earthquake a year ago which killed more than 250,000 people and left the capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins.

[nancyk58]

NEWS ON 17.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

NEWS ON 17.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

 

http://motherjones.com/rights-stuff/2011/01/baby-doc-duvalier-haiti-return

 

BABY DOC IS BACK - By Mac McClelland / | Sun Jan. 16, 2011 6:31 PM PST

 

 

It sounded like a wild rumor when it circulated earlier today, but tonight, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier landed in Haiti after a quarter-century of exile. The word from Duvalier is that he's come to help his country. According to everyone on the street and on the radio, the Americans and the French conspired to bring him here to upset current president René Preval, who's been accused of fixing his country's recent elections.

 

The former dictator was greeted at the Port-au-Prince airport with cheering and celebratory chanting. Why were such huge crowds so happy to see the raping, murdering, plundering leader who was ousted in 1986 after a popular revolt? "He is our greatest president!" men around me yelled. My 53-year-old translator, Sam, concurred. "Things have never been as good as when he was here," he said. "The only thing that was worse was we couldn't talk about politics because he was a dictator, but everything else is much worse now."

 

No one knows what Duvalier will say at his press conference scheduled for tomorrow, nor what effect his return will have on the impending run-off elections. But the news has inspired happy revelers in the streets who seem to think something exciting is about to happen. As Sam put it, "I don't know what's going to happen. But this will definitely reshuffle the deck."

 

UPDATE: Monday morning, journalists waited outside Baby Doc's Port-au-Prince hotel for a rumored press conference, only to be told several hours later by the former Haitian ambassador to France that "the president has no time to talk to the press today." Despite reports that the exiled leader would be in town for only three days, the ambassador said there is no estimate for the length of his stay. The date and time of a press conference will be announced tomorrow.

 

 

Danish TV2 News: SUNDAY NIGHT 59-YEAR-OLD FORMER DICTATOR JEAN-CLAUDE "BABY DOC" RETURNED TO A HAITI CHARACTERIZED BY POLITICAL CHAOS

 

Baby Doc said that he had "come to help Haiti's population", and that he would participate in Haiti's rebirth.

 

Baby Doc has lived in exile in France for almost 25 years - since he was overthrown in 1986.

[nancyk58]

News on 18 January 2011 in relation to HAITI

 

News on 18 January 2011 in relation to HAITI

 

 

Danish DR1 + TV2 news and Swedish SVT and German ZDFtext:

 

IN HAITI, THE FORMER DICTATOR "BABY DOC" WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION

 

Earlier today, an analyst said that Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier's arrival in Haiti might worsen the situation in the tried, very poor country.

 

And Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch advocated for the arrest of the former dictator so that he could be charged with murder and torture committed by his militsia Tonton Macoutes during Duvalier's 15 years in power starting in 1971 when he succeeded his father Francois Duvalier who had won an election in 1957 and then created a terror regime costing ten thousands of human lives. Baby Doc's rule was characterized by corruption and enrichment of himself and his family. After week-long hunger revolts in 1986 the hated Duvalier fled to France where he has lived in exile for 25 years.

 

"Baby Doc" was arrested at the luxurious hotel Karibe in Port-au-Prince one day after his return to HAITI after 25 years in exile. He was charged with corruption, theft and abuse of public funds - crimes committed during his 15 years in power. Charges have been brought against him, said the Chief Prosecutor Aristidas Auguste in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

 

An investigating magistrate will examine the charges and then decide whether legal proceedings (a lawsuit) should be instituted (initiated) against Baby Doc.

 

According to the organization Transparency International which investigates corruption in the world, Baby Doc stole at least 300 million dollar during his years in power.

[nancyk58]

News on 19.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

NEWS IN RELATION TO HAITI ON 19.1.11 including a HAITI-related article sent to me by Care2 causes

 

Former Dictator "Baby Doc" Returns to Haiti. Why?

 

posted by: Shannon M

 

You have to wonder what accursed star Haiti was born under.

 

The island nation has always been politically fragile. During its fraught history, it has faced war, disease, famine and brutal dictatorships.

 

The last 12 months alone saw Haiti crumble under a devastating earthquake which left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless and vulnerable.

 

A cholera epidemic has subsequently claimed thousands more lives. The Haitians' common belief in the power of voodoo and the occult has led to an atmosphere of distrust, especially towards foreign workers in the country trying to provide aid.

 

A recent election that brought with it the hopes of newfound political stability resulted in no clear victor among accusations of widespread corruption, leaving a power vaccuum and an uncertain political future in a country that desperately needs strong leadership.

 

So when in to this maelstrom flies Haiti's deposed former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, returning to the country from which he was thrown out in 1980, it raises the question of why now?

 

Baby Doc became ruler of Haiti at age 19 upon the death of his father, Dr. Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier. Papa Doc was elected President of Haiti in 1957 and following several years of increased influence and corruption, declared himself President for Life in 1964.

 

Duvalier was one of the most repressive and corrupt dictators of modern times, using violence and intimidation to keep any political opposition in line. Baby Doc Duvalier inherited the Presidency for Life in 1971 and while his presidency was not as brutal, his neglectful policies led to widespread hardship and directly led to the massive prevalence of AIDS in the island nation.

 

Duvalier was forced to resign in 1987 after years of protests finally culminated in a military uprising, but Haiti's fortunes fared little better under successive governments, including that of Jean Bertrand Aristide, who was also forced into exile after being overthrown through revolution.

 

Human rights abuses have consistently been recorded up to and since the 2010 earthquake, hunger and homelessness persists and violence is common.

 

Hundreds of thousands still live in refugee camps, with little hope of rebuilding their homes or lives.

 

So why has Duvalier returned? Is it in the hopes of influencing the fractured Haitian populous to follow a specific presidential candidate of his choosing? Or, more worryingly, is it an attempt to rehabilitate his image and present himself as a viable leadership option to an exhausted and overwhelmed populus?

 

It's entirely possible that the Haitians of today, many of whom cannot remember living under Duvalier's rule, would welcome a historical figure seemingly sent from the past to save them and provide leadership in a time where none seemingly exists. And if this is the case, would the international community allow such a reviled ex-leader to return?

 

At no time in recent history has Haiti been in such crisis. The arrival of a former dictator in the country is an extremely worrying development. What is next for Haiti is largely up to the foreign community, but allowing a former dictator to seize power would be disastrous for a country already struggling to rebuild.

 

 

Danish DR1 and Swedish SVT: BABY DOC HAS BEEN RELEASED, BUT HE IS STILL CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION, THEFT OF HUNDREDS OF MILLION DOLLAR AND ABUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

 

An investigating magistrate is to decide whether he will institute legal proceedings against Haiti’s former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier aka. Baby Doc.

 

On Sunday 16.1.11, Baby Doc returned to HAITI after 25 years in exile abroad (in France). Tuesday, he was arrested at his hotel in Port-au-Prince and questioned for 6 hours.

 

Baby Doc’s lawyer says that Baby Doc har been asked to be available for the judiciary. The lawyers think that the charges are without sufficient substance to start legal proceedings.

 

According to a French diplomat, Duvalier had booked a flight back to France some time Thursday.

 

Duvalier’s return makes the difficult political situation after the disputed presidential election in 2010 even more difficult.

 

 

Danish TV2 News: 185,000 CHOLERA INFECTED HAITIANS

 

The number of cholera infected Haitians has risen to 185,000 one year after the devastating earthquake on 12.1.10. The epidemic has cost 3,790 deaths. This info was given by The Danish Statens Serum Institut in its latest edition of EPI-NYT (translation: EPI-News).

 

The first case of cholera in Haiti was recorded at the end of October 2010. Since then the disease has spread to the capital, Port-au-Prince and the neighbouring Dominican Republic. 5 cases of cholera have been recorded in Florida in the USA.

 

 

Danish TV2 News: BABY DOC WANTS TO BECOME HAITI’s PRESIDENT AGAIN

 

Jean-Claude Duvalier aka. Baby Doc will try a comeback more than 20 years after he was forced away from Haiti where he had been a dictator. This information was given by one of his allies after the former dictator’s announcement that he intends to stay in Haiti. Baby Doc arrived in HAITI a few days ago after many years’ exile in France.

 

“We have to annul the presidential election and hold a new election where Duvalier can participate. He will win the election”, says Duvalier’s spokesman, Henry Robert Sterlin.

[nancyk58]

News on 20.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

NEWS IN RELATION TO HAITI:

 

 

Danish text-TV: BABY DOC DECLARES THAT HE HAS NO INTENTION OF BECOMING HAITI's PRESIDENT

 

Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier denies rumours reported in the national and international press that he intends to regain power in the poor Caribbean state.

 

The rumour was spread by someone claiming to be his spokesman, and there were references to scenarios in relation to the election process in HAITI.

 

Baby Doc's announcement was read loud by his girlfriend Veronique Roy.

 

 

German ZDFtext: FORMER PRESIDENT ARISTIDE WILL RETURN TO HAITI

 

After almost 7 years in exile in SOUTH AFRICA, Aristide is prepared to come to Haiti - "today, tomorrow, any time".

 

Aristide was deposed in 2004 and he was transported out of HAITI in a US plane. His party Fanmi Lavalas had always insisted on his return.

 

Aristide is still very popular in HAITI.

[nancyk58]

An article in relation to Baby Doc & Aristide, 2 former presidents in HAITI

 

An article in relation to Baby Doc & Aristide, 2 former presidents in HAITI

 

Haiti's "Baby Doc" accused of crimes against humanity

 

(Reuters) - Four Haitians, including a former United Nations spokeswoman, filed criminal complaints on Wednesday against former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, accusing him of crimes against humanity including torture.

 

The filings came a day after Duvalier was briefly detained and charged by a Haitian state prosecutor with corruption, embezzlement and other alleged crimes during his 1971-1986 rule in the impoverished Caribbean nation. He returned unexpectedly to Haiti on Sunday from 25 years of exile in France.

 

Michele Montas, the former spokeswoman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said she and three other Haitians who were jailed during Duvalier's rule filed the complaints with a Port-au-Prince prosecutor.

 

"There are grounds not only to judge him for economic crimes but also for human rights abuses," she said.

 

Duvalier's return convulsed politics in Haiti, which is grappling with a dispute over a disputed presidential election in November and a cholera epidemic that killed more than 3,800 people. The Western Hemisphere's poorest state is still recovering from a devastating 2010 earthquake.

 

Adding to the potential for upheaval in Haiti, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who spearheaded a pro-democracy movement under Duvalier before becoming Haiti's first freely elected leader in 1990, on Wednesday expressed his own desire to return from exile in South Africa.

 

"The people of Haiti have never stopped calling for my return," said Aristide, in a statement issued by his aides. "As far as I am concerned, I am ready. Once again I express my readiness to leave today, tomorrow, at any time." he said.

 

A firebrand former Roman Catholic priest, ousted by a 2004 rebellion involving former soldiers, Aristide remains wildly popular in his homeland. His Haitian passport has expired, his aides said, but Aristide said he hoped an agreement by Haitian and South African authorities could permit his return.

 

Duvalier, who fled Haiti in 1986 to escape a popular uprising, waved and blew kisses to a crowd of supporters on Wednesday from a balcony at a luxury hotel in Port-au-Prince where he is staying. Prosecutors say he is "at the disposition of judicial authorities."

 

Montas, a journalist in Haiti, was forced into exile in the early 1980s after Duvalier closed a radio station owned by her late husband, Jean Dominique.

 

A lawyer for Duvalier told reporters the former strongman intends to remain in Haiti and rejected the charges filed against him by the prosecutor as politically motivated.

 

"There was no file, no warrant, no infraction, nor crime," lawyer Reynold Georges said. "I say clearly it is the (Haitian) government who is behind all of this," he added without elaborating.

 

PLUNDERED STATE COFFERS

 

The 59-year-old former leader, the son of feared dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, was notorious for his crackdown on dissent and opposition. Critics and rights groups say thousands of his opponents were killed and tortured at the hands of a secret police force known as the Tonton Macoutes.

 

"Anyone who was in any way independent from the regime was systematically arrested and killed," Montas said.

 

Three other people, Claude Rosiers, Alix Fils-Aime and Nicole Magloire, also lodged separate lawsuits, Montas said.

 

Under Haitian law, the graft charges brought by the prosecutor will be investigated by a judge who must decide whether the criminal case should move forward.

 

Haitian authorities previously accused Duvalier and his family of plundering state coffers of several hundred million dollars and hiding the money abroad. There have been moves in Swiss courts to recover some of the money.

 

Duvalier's lawyer Georges cited investigations in France and Switzerland that were closed and failed to implicate Duvalier in any wrongdoing.

 

"The Haitian state cannot come back to cases that are already finished," he said. "It's been more than 25 years since any complaint has been filed. It appears they are improvising some complaints."

 

Duvalier has been vague about what prompted him to come home. He said he returned to show solidarity with the people of Haiti and play a role in his country's "rebirth."

 

But his return has drawn criticism from the United States and many European governments who say it has only deepened political uncertainty in Haiti.

 

(Writing by Kevin Gray; Editing by Pascal Fletcher and David Storey)

[nancyk58]

Swedish SVT: JUDGE: BABY DOC NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE HAITI

 

Haiti’s former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier is not allowed to leave HAITI according to a judge. Baby Doc surprised everyone when he returned to Haiti last Sunday after 25 years in exile in France.

 

Duvalier was arrested and questioned for several hours before he was released Tuesday. He was accused of theft of Haiti’s funds and of corruption, and he is suspected of being responsible for torture during his 15 years in power.

A court will decide if there is evidence enough for a trial.

 

Duvalier fled Haiti in 1986.

[nancyk58]

NEWS ON 22.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

NEWS ON 22.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

 

Danish DR1 and Swedish SVT: BABY DOC REGRETS HIS DICTATORSHIP

 

In his first official announcement (yesterday, 21.1.11) since his return to HAITI, former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier explained that he returned to Haiti from his exile (in France) to show his SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI and to help the hard-hit country to RECONCILIATION.

 

"The most important thing for me is to be together with you. I'll take this opportunbity to express once again my great sorrow to my countrymen who say - rightly - that they are victims of my government."

 

Duvalier is said to have been stopped yesterday when trying to leave HAITI where preparations are made for a trial against him for violation of human rights.

 

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12257420 /

22 January 2011 Last updated at 01:26 GMT

 

DUVALIER IN HAITI: 'BABY DOC' CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION

 

Former Haitian leader Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier has called for NATIONAL RECONCILIATION in his most extensive speech since he returned to the country on Sunday after 25 years in exile.

 

He said his SURPRISE RETURN had been prompted by last year's earthquake and his desire to HELP REBUILD the country.

 

Mr Duvalier also wanted "to express deep sorrow for all those who say they were victims of my government".

 

He is being sued for torture and other crimes against humanity.

 

The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by a former United Nations spokeswoman, Michele Montas, and three Haitians who were jailed during Mr Duvalier's 1971-1986 rule.

 

Ms Montas said she had lodged lawsuits for arbitrary detention, exile, destruction of private property, torture and moral violation of civil and political rights.

 

POLITICAL FUTURE?

 

State prosecutors have also charged Mr Duvalier with theft and misappropriation of funds during his time as president-for-life.

 

One of his lawyers said he was planning to stay in Haiti despite the charges, and might also get involved in politics.

 

Speaking in French and Creole at a news conference in a rented guest house, Mr Duvalier said he hoped for a rapid resolution to the political crisis in Haiti.

 

He arrived on the day Haiti was supposed to hold a second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing President Rene Preval.

 

That vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper.

 

Provisional results from the first round on 28 November provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation.

 

Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier

 

• Takes over presidency aged 19 after death of his father Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier in 1971

 

• Calls himself "president-for-life"

 

• Popular protests force him to flee to France in 1986

 

• Accused of corruption and rights abuses that prompted more than 100,000 Haitians to flee the country

 

• Asks Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" in 2007 radio interview

 

 

Swedish SVT: MONEY CAN BE THE REASON FOR DUVALIER'S RETURN TO HAITI

 

Human rights activists and experts believe that "Baby Doc" Duvalier's return to HAITI was a manoeuvre to prevent the confiscation of the 5.7 million dollar frozen on Duvalier's bank account in Switzerland.

.

In February 2011, a new law in Switzerland authorizes the authorities to confiscate Duvalier's frozen funds and donate them to HAITI. One requirement is that it has not been possible to put him on trial in Haiti.

 

By returning to HAITI Duvalier may have attempted to avoid that the requirement (condition) is fulfilled and reclaim the millions.

 

 

MY COMMENT: I think that the above is likely to be the true reason for Duvalier's return. But how cynical of him to claim that he returned to Haiti to SHOW his SOLIDARITY with Haiti's population. Because by returning to Haiti, it seems that he might be able to keep the millions of dollar frozen on his Swiss bank account - money that HAITI so badly needs.

[nancyk58]

NEWS IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

NEWS ON 23.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12260873

23 January 2011 Last updated at 04:39 GMT

 

HAITI's PREVAL: 'BABY DOC' DUVALIER 'MUST FACE JUSTICE'

 

Haiti's ex-leader Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier had the right to return to the country but must now face justice, President Rene Preval says.

 

Mr Preval was making his first comments on the issue since Mr Duvalier's unexpected return from exile last week.

 

Mr Duvalier has been charged with theft and misappropriation of funds during his 1971-1986 rule.

 

He is also being sued for torture and other crimes against humanity. He has said he is ready to face "persecution".

 

In a news conference on Friday, Mr Duvalier called for national reconciliation, claiming his return from France had been prompted by the earthquake that devastated Haiti last year and his desire to help rebuild the country.

 

On Saturday, Mr Preval said that according to the Haitian constitution, no-one could be forced to remain in exile.

 

"Duvalier had the right to return to the country, but under the constitution, he also must face justice," he said at a news conference during a visit by the Dominican president.

 

"If Duvalier is not in prison now, it is because he has not yet been tried."

 

Mr Duvalier is barred from leaving the country pending the outcome of an investigation into his alleged crimes, Mr Preval said.

 

SWISS FUNDS

 

Mr Duvalier arrived on the day Haiti was supposed to hold a second round of elections to choose a successor to Mr Preval.

 

The vote has been postponed because of a dispute over who came second in the first round.

 

Official results said it was Jude Celestin, a protege of Mr Preval's, but international observers have urged Haiti to revise the result in favour of singer Michel "Sweet Mickey" Martelly, who was placed third.

 

Some have voiced concern that Mr Duvalier's return could add to the political uncertainty.

 

One theory offered by analysts and lawyers to explain Mr Duvalier's return is that he was trying to stave off attempts by Switzerland to donate to Haiti nearly $6m (£3.7) frozen in Swiss bank accounts.

 

Under a new Swiss law that comes into force on 1 February, the funds can be released even if Haiti has not made a legal move to get them.

 

Mr Duvalier wrongly predicted that he might be able to avoid prosecution, observers say.

 

"If Duvalier goes back to Haiti and is not prosecuted, then he could say 'I was available for prosecution, and you didn't prosecute me: Give me my money back,'" said Reed Brody, a lawyer at Human Rights Watch.

[nancyk58]

News in relation to HAITI on 24.1.11

 

Danish TV2 news and Swedish SVT: HAITI's FORMER DICTATOR FEELS THAT THE LEGAL NETWORK IS TIGHTENING

 

Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier feels that the legal network is tightening now that Haiti's president has declared that he must answer / account for the crimes committed during his rule from 1971 to 1986.

 

Yesterday during a visit to the Dominican Republic, President Réné Préval said that everyone is accountable for their crimes before the courts.

 

"The government has done all that it can do, and now we hope that the courts will do their part", Préval said.

[nancyk58]

News on 25.1.11 in relation to HAITI

 

Danish DR1: FEWER CHOLERA-INFECTED PEOPLE IN HAITI

 

So far the cholera epidemic has cost 4,000 human lives. But it seems that fewer Haitians get infected.

 

In November 2010 there were around 12,000 new cases every week. That number has fallen to 4,700.

 

The doctors cannot say whether the epidemic is decreasing OR if the fall is only a temporary one. "The general situation is better. But the problem is that you cannot predict the development of the epidemic, so the leader of Medicin Sans Frontières / MSF's (Doctors without border's) group in HAITI.

[nancyk58]

An English friend watched a documentary about Haiti today – on Tuesday 25.1.11 – and sent me a link, BUT you might have to be in the UK to see it:

 

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/4od#3153261

 

It is available for viewing for 2 weeks.

 

 

The following is what my friend got out of the documentary:

 

 

The main points:

 

1) When the earthquake struck, thousands of the most dangerous prisoners in Haiti escaped their prison. In the 'city' of tents they have a perfect hideout. They also control these areas with guns and their 'armies'.

 

2) The politicians are just as corrupt as the gangsters, and they often work together. The main police chief says they need a revolution to change anything.

 

3) There is no rule of law, and this is the real problem in the country.

 

Suspects are held in prison for up to five or six years before trial, whether they have stolen a chicken or murdered someone. There is a difference though. The petty criminal (e.g. the chicken thief) will eventually be either convicted or acquitted (after five or six years in prison!!!!!) BUT many of the murderers (or more dangerous and well-connected criminals) are able to bribe themselves out of prison. Often a chicken thief will spend far longer in prison than a murderer or rapist.

 

4) Aid often falls into the hands of gangsters, for example they get the tents and then sell them.

 

5) Many experts in the area say that the problems will not be solved by any more donations or aid. The only way to improve the country is a) for the international community to work with the Haitian organisations, especially the police, to expand their powers and personnel, and to bring order and justice to the country, and b) for jobs to be created so that people can earn a wage honestly and by making an effort.

 

6) The very cause of the problem is that Haiti has been given so much help for so long (30 years). The country has become dependent on NGO money and support, and the people have become lazy and just expect to be given what they need (Haitians said this). Instead of working to improve things by working with the Haitian institutions (politics, the police), the NGOs have instead set up an alternative set of institutions which do not work, and have NOT helped the country.

 

 

It was a very interesting programme because it completely changed my mind about what is needed. If international donations have not reached Haiti because the experts know that it will go to corrupt politicians and gangsters, and that they need to make major changes to society first, then I can understand that now.

 

It is absolutely shocking viewing. Stories of thousands of women raped so far, often by gangs. Murder everywhere. What is clear is that Haiti is a hell on earth.

 

It was a fantastic documentary – see it if you can.

 

After seeing it, I truly believe that without huge reform of the government and/or huge efforts to bolster the police NOTHING will change, no matter how much money is donated or tents are sent.

[nancyk58]

News on 27 January 2011 in relation to HAITI

 

NEWS ON 27 JANUARY 2011 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

 

 

German ZDFtext: HAITI: GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION GIVES UP

 

In Haiti, Jude Celestin - the Haitian government's candidate at the presidential election has given up thus ending a week-long conflict in relation to the result of the chaotic first round of the election held on 28 November 2010. The government party "Inite" announced that the political stability is to continue with Celestin's withdrawal. Due to the conflict, the second round of the election was postponed.

 

With the withdrawal of its candidate, the government party followed the recommendation of the Organization of American States. This organization was convinced that election fraud had taken place in favour of Celestin.

[nancyk58]

NEWS ON 29.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

NEWS ON 29.1.11 IN RELATION TO HAITI

 

 

Swedish SVT: HAITI'S ELECTION RESULT WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK

 

The final result of the disputed first round of the presidential election in Haiti in November will be published on Wednesday 2 February 2011 according to the election commission.

 

The second round of the election will be held on 20.3.

 

The publication of the preliminary results from the first round caused enormous protests when president Réné Préval's hand-picked candidate Jude Celestin was announced as number 2 in the first round with more votes than a popular singer. Now the government party has withdrawn its support to Celestin.

[nancyk58]

News on 1.2.11 in relation to HAITI

 

Swedish SVT: Aristide is allowed to return to HAITI

 

Haiti's government is prepared to issue a diplomat passport to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. That means that he can return after 11 years in exile in South Africa, a high official announced on Monday 31.1.11.

 

Aristide, Haiti's first democratically elected president has expressed his will to return to help his country. He was forced to leave Haiti in 2004 after an armed uprising.

 

Recently the former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier returned to Haiti.

 

 

Swedish SVT: 6 million dollars on ex-dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier's bank account has been blocked by the Swiss authorities.

[nancyk58]

News in relation to HAITI on 2.2.11

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12342870

 

2 February 2011 Last updated at 11:09 GMT

 

HAITI ELECTION: Second round line-up to be announced

 

Haitian authorities are due to announce definitive first round results from November's disputed presidential poll.

 

Former first lady Mirlande Manigat is in the delayed second round, now set for 20 March.

 

But it is not clear whether she will face singer Michel Martelly or government candidate Jude Celestin.

 

Initial results put Mr Celestin through, sparking days of unrest. International monitors said there had been widespread fraud in his favour.

 

Under sustained international pressure, the ruling party, Inite, withdrew Mr Celestin from the race but the candidate himself has refused to confirm that he will not take part.

 

The second round was supposed to take place last month but was postponed because of the dispute.

 

There have been calls, including from some of the other defeated candidates, that the election should be scrapped and a new one held.

 

Uncertainty

 

Mrs Manigat won the first round on 28 November, while preliminary results gave Mr Celestin a narrow lead over Mr Martelly.

 

But within hours of the announcement, there were protests and riots by supporters of Mr Martelly, who complained of vote-rigging.

 

The incumbent President, Rene Preval, called in a team of international monitors who found widespread fraud in Mr Celestin's favour and recommended that he withdraw.

 

Mr Preval's mandate formally ends on 7 February but he has parliamentary approval to stay in office until 14 May.

 

The political uncertainty has added to Haiti's problems as it tries to recover from last year's devastating earthquake as well as a cholera outbreak.

 

The situation has also been complicated by last month's surprise return from exile of former leader Jean-Claude Duvalier.

 

Baby Doc, as he is widely known, now faces corruption and human rights abuse charges relating to his 1971-1986 rule. He has denied any wrongdoing.

 

In another development, the government has now said it is ready to issue former President Jean-Betrand Aristide a passport, opening the way for his possible return.

 

Mr Aristide, the first democratically-elected president of Haiti, was ousted seven years ago and has been living in exile in South Africa.

 

His party, Fanmi Lavalas, was barred from standing in the latest presidential and legislative elections, allegedly due to technical errors in its application forms.

[nancyk58]

News on 3.2.11 in relation to HAITI

 

NEWS on 3.2.11 in relation to natural disasters

 

 

Danish DR1: HAITI's ELECTION COMMITTEE PUBLISHES THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FIGURING ON THE BALLOT IN THE SECOND ELECTION ROUND ON 20 MARCH 2011: Former first lady MIRLANDE MANIGAT and the popular singer MICHEL MARTELLY

 

The first election round on 22.11.10 was chaotic. Since then it was difficult to decide who was to run against Mirlande Manigat who was the winner of the first round, but who had less than the necessary 50% of the votes to avoid a second round. The regime tried to have its own candidate - Jude Célestin - on the ballot in the second round, but lost.

 

This outcome is in accordance with the recommendations from the organization OAS (Organization of American States) and is backed up by the United Nations and the USA.

[nancyk58]

U.S. RESUMES DEPORTATIONS OF HAITIANS - 7.2.11

 

U.S. RESUMES DEPORTATIONS OF HAITIANSposted by: Natasha G.

 

The U.S. has resumed deporting Haitians after a one year post-earthquake moratorium. About 700 have been classified as "criminal aliens." Spokesperson for ICE Barbara Gonzalez contends that all are consistent with the U.S. policy of removing those who pose "a threat to public safety." Twenty seven Haitians have already been deported.

 

However some believe the deportations are inhumane since Haiti is still struggling with a vicious cholera epidemic that has killed almost 4,000 and infected 20,000. Haiti is also dealing with a shaky recovery from last year's deadly 7.0 earthquake and a disputed presidential election. Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center's Executive Director Cheryl Little asked, "Why is it so urgent for the U.S. to deport Haitians when Haiti remains in ruin? It makes no sense for either country." She added, "This is death by deportation."

 

Sure enough, 34 year-old Wildrick Guerrier died shortly after being detained in a Haitian jail, exhibiting cholera symptoms such as extreme vomiting and uncontrollable diarrhea. Guerrier had been living in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident since he was a teenager, and was completing an 18 month criminal sentence when a judge ordered for his deportation.

 

A number of advocacy groups came together to file an emergency petition with the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) to halt the deportations of hundreds of Haitian nationals by U.S. immigration authorities.

 

Submitted by the University of Miami School of Law, Human Rights and Immigration Clinics; the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center; the Center for Constitutional Rights, Alternative Chance, and the Loyola Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice, the petition contends, "The Haitian state has no capacity to provide for the safe and dignified reintegration of those deported, many of whom are long-time U.S. residents with no resources in Haiti...While we support the enforcement of immigration laws, we are concerned that the continuing state of emergency in Haiti will jeopardize the lives of those deported and divert resources from the recovery and reconstruction effort."

 

The petition also calls out the recent raids that have taken place, claiming that immigrants in Florida have been separated from their families and legal service providers, and have been sent off the remote detention camps in Louisiana. Among those detained include Haitians who were convicted of minor offenses and then released for good behavior, as well as mentally disabled individuals and parents of U.S. citizens.

 

To read the full petition and sign, click here.

 

http://capwiz.com/jesuit/issues/alert/?alertid=23241516