Two journalists murdered in 48 hours in Haiti

[Judi Lynn]

1. Dumesky Kersaint, journalist mudered only last Sunday:

Haiti: PEN International and PEN Haiti condemn the murder of journalist Dumesky Kersaint

19 April: PEN International and PEN Haiti are deeply concerned by the escalating violence in cities such as Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The killing and kidnapping of several people over the past few days, including a journalist, demonstrates the lack of rule of law. The grave security situation must urgently be addressed, and those responsible brought to justice.

Between Thursday 13 and Sunday 16 April 2023, the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince inHaiti experienced a violent wave of murders and kidnappings, according to information published by the online agency AlterPresse. Young journalist Dumesky Kersaint was killed by gunmen in the early hours of Sunday, while covering gang violence in Carrefour, Commune in the West Department of Haiti.

"The deterioration of freedom of expression is the consequence of a country in democratic decline. Haitians have shown courage and bravery in their struggle to defend basic human rights. Today we condemn and deplore the murder of journalist Dumesky Kersaint and renew our call for peace in Haiti and the restoration of rule of law," said Ma Thida, President of the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International.

. . .

"Since 2022, we have witnessed an increase in cases of violence and killings of journalists. It is proof that the Haitian State has emptied itself of all power and the economy is in total deficit, except when it has to repress the population. Attacking journalists who do their job is displacing the problem, said Ethson Otilien, General Secretary of PEN Haiti.

More:
https://www.pen-international.org/news/haiti-pen-international-and-pen-haiti-condemn-the-murder-of-journalist-dumesky-kersaint

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Radio journalist Dumesky Kersaint shot and killed in Haiti
April 27, 2023 10:26 AM EDT

New York, April 27, 2023—Haitian authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Dumesky Kersaint, determine if he was killed in connection with his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.

Between the evening of April 15 and the morning of April 16, Kersaint was shot and killed in the Mahotiere 83 neighborhood in the municipality of Carrefour, according to news reports and Quito, Ecuador-based press freedom group Fundamedios.

According to Le Facteur, Kersaint was a “victim of collateral damage” as armed civilians “were committing crimes in the same place where the journalist was.” Kersaint, 30, was a reporter at online Radio Tele INUREP, where he covered demonstrations.

“Haitian authorities must conduct a swift investigation into the killing of Dumesky Kersaint and bring those responsible to justice,” said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJ’s program director. “The security crisis in the country is putting journalists at a constant risk of extreme violence. It is the authorities’ responsibility to make sure reporters can do their jobs without fear of violence.”

More:
https://cpj.org/2023/04/radio-journalist-dumesky-kersaint-shot-and-killed-in-haiti/