(RSF/IFEX) – On 26 November 2002, RSF voiced deep concern about attacks on the press in recent days in Haiti, especially in the north of the country, where a radio station was partially torched and nine journalists were threatened. The organisation called on President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to condemn these acts of intimidation and attacks, for […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 26 November 2002, RSF voiced deep concern about attacks on the press in recent days in Haiti, especially in the north of the country, where a radio station was partially torched and nine journalists were threatened. The organisation called on President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to condemn these acts of intimidation and attacks, for which his supporters have been held responsible.
“We urge you to give your supporters clear instructions to stop attacking the news media,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said in an appeal to the Haitian president. He also reiterated an earlier appeal to President Aristide to put an end to impunity by giving orders for investigations that result in the punishment of those responsible for attacks and threats against journalists.
The premises of Radio Etincelle in Gonaïves (100 km north-west of Port-au-Prince) and its equipment were partially damaged by a fire on the evening of 24 November, apparently started by Molotov cocktails thrown by unidentified assailants. Several days earlier, after covering an opposition demonstration, Radio Etincelle director Esdras Mondélus received death threats by telephone from members of popular organisations close to the ruling Lavalas Family party, as a result of which he suspended programming on 21 and 22 November.
In separate circumstances in Gonaïves, members of popular organisations made death threats against Mondélus and six other journalists, including Radio Métropole correspondent Jean Robert François, Radio Kiskeya correspondent Fleurimont Henry and Radio Ibo correspondent Frantz Rénel Lebrun. The seven journalists were forced to go into hiding.
Several days earlier, in Cap Haïtien (150 km north of Port-au-Prince), Radio Maxima journalists Péguy Jean and Joël Joseph were attacked by popular organisation members who affirmed their support for the Lavalas government and criticised Radio Maxima’s coverage of an opposition protest that took place in Cap Haïtien on 17 November.
The current situation in Haiti is very tense. According to journalists present at the demonstration in Cap Haïtien (Haiti’s second largest city), more than 20,000 people took part, calling for the departure of President Aristide. A separate, pro-government demonstration was held in Cap Haïtien the same day. Further anti-government protests have taken place in other provincial cities, followed by pro-government demonstrations in Port-au-Prince. According to the Associated Press, six persons were hit by gunfire during pro-government and opposition demonstrations on 25 November in Port-au-Prince and Gonaïves.
