Journalists entering the neighborhood were shown huge pools of blood
where victims were reportedly shot without warning and early reports
indicate that more than 30 people have been killed during the police
raids. Gunfire could still be heard throughout Bel Air Sunday night as
police launched another deadly assault.

Haiti Information Project

June 5, 2005

Haiti’s police ratchet up violence, dismiss human rights concerns

Port au Prince, Haiti (HIP) - Haitian police continued attacks against a
pro-Aristide neighborhood for a third straight day. The area, known as
Bel Air, has been a launching site for recent large demonstrations
demanding the return of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. It is
also said to be a home to what Haitian police have alleged is a growing
“urban guerilla” movement to destabilize the government before upcoming
elections.

According to several residents, the police raids began on Friday evening
and have been followed by several waves of armed assaults on the
community. Residents also reported being unable to flee indiscriminate
shooting by the police without running into roadblocks and checkpoints
set up by U.N. forces surrounding the area. Many complained of
arbitrary arrests of relatives by U.N. forces collaborating with the
Haitian police as they tried to escape the gunfire.

Journalists entering the neighborhood were shown huge pools of blood
where victims were reportedly shot without warning and early reports
indicate that more than 30 people have been killed during the police
raids. Gunfire could still be heard throughout Bel Air Sunday night as
police launched another deadly assault.

“They are killing us. They are trying to slaughter us all,” shouted an
unidentified woman whose home was burned to the ground after police set
fire to the area. More than 12 homes were reportedly burned to the
ground in what many human rights observers have described as a
“scorched earth” policy being used by the Haitian police.

The police raids come one day after a spokesman for Aristide's Lavalas
movement in Haiti's capital, Mr. Sanba Boukman, condemned a recent
attack and firebombing against a popular market in Port au Prince. At
least 10 people are reported to have died in last week’s blaze that was
started after unidentified gunman began shooting in the area. This
prompted U.S. Ambassador James B. Foley to join Haiti’s business elite
in calling for tougher measures to be used against what they have
characterized as “armed gangs loyal to Aristide.”

Haiti's latest wave of violence and insecurity began after the Haitian
police fired on thousands of peaceful demonstrators in the capital
demanding the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Feb. 28 and
April 27. At least 11 unarmed demonstrators were killed in the two
attacks forcing U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to echo demands of
human rights organizations for an official investigation. The
U.S.-installed government of Gerard Latortue has dismissed the
allegations despite statements made by Brazilian General Heleno Ribera
and video footage taken by a local television station confirming the
unprovoked attacks. The video footage also shows members of Haiti’s
police force planting guns on corpses to justify the slayings on April
27.

Recent violence in Haiti's capital has also decreased the chances of
holding elections scheduled to begin in October of this year. The body
overseeing the election process, the Provisional Election Council,
announced on May 30 that only 60,000 people have registered out of an
eligible 4.5 million potential voters since the process began more then
a month ago.

The current crisis in Haiti also prompted an editorial in a California
newspaper on Saturday, the Contra Costa Times, to conclude, "Rushing to
hold elections in the midst of anarchy is a formula for disaster. The
United States must use its leverage to force the Latortue government to
negotiate with Aristide and Lavalas. Aristide remains the country's most
influential political figure and there will be no solution to the
current crisis without his participation." Such positions are said to
infuriate U.S. policy makers who are accused along with France and
Canada of fomenting a coup against Aristide Feb. 29, 2004.

- The Haiti Information Project (HIP) is a non-profit alternative news
service providing coverage and analysis of breaking developments in
Haiti.

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