(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced concern over the 14 January 2005 attack on Claude Bernard Serant and Jonel Juste, two reporters with the daily “Le Nouvelliste”. The organisation noted that it was “the first time journalists have been hit by the wave of violence launched in the capital by former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s supporters in […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced concern over the 14 January 2005 attack on Claude Bernard Serant and Jonel Juste, two reporters with the daily “Le Nouvelliste”. The organisation noted that it was “the first time journalists have been hit by the wave of violence launched in the capital by former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s supporters in September [2004].” RSF urged the authorities “to redouble efforts to disarm the former president’s supporters.”
In a 6 July report, RSF welcomed the improvement in the country’s press freedom situation since Aristide’s departure, but also warned that, “As long as both Aristide’s supporters and the former soldiers who led the final rebellion against him remain armed, they will be a threat to the media.” (The report is available at: www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10889.)
Serant and Juste were attacked by Aristide supporters in the Port-au-Prince district of Bel-Air, a day after an operation in the area by United Nations Stabilisation Mission (MINUSTAH) peacekeepers. Their assailants beat them severely and stole their equipment and money.
In a “Le Nouvelliste” report, Juste quoted one of the attackers as saying, “Don’t come back. The next time you won’t escape alive.” The Aristide supporters accused the reporters of being spies and said, “It is journalists’ fault that Aristide is no longer in office.” Both Serant and Juste had to be hospitalised due to their injuries.
“Le Nouvelliste” managing editor Pierre Manigat Jr told RSF that the journalists’ assailants called the newspaper after the attack and banned the paper’s reporters from returning to Bel Air. The ban applies to all media outlets that criticised the Aristide administration, Manigat said.
Aristide supporters launched a wave of violence in Port-au-Prince on 30 September in an attempt to spread terror and confusion. More than 150 people have been killed in the capital, including many policemen, some of whom were beheaded.
