U.S. Delegation Investigates the Situation of Haitian Workers Under the Co

[seemslikeadream]

The coup also led to serious attacks on Haiti’s trade unions. The delegation heard reports from one union, the FTPH (Federation of Public Transport Workers of Haiti), of criminal attacks on over 100 of the buses that they had purchased for use in the bus cooperative operated by the union. These attacks involved the torching and destruction of the union co-op’s buses, yet went unreported in the North American media, despite having taken place in the days immediately following the 29 February coup d’etat (the peak period of international media presence). Given their timing, and the fact that the union bus cooperative’s success had been viewed as a positive symbol of social advances under the Aristide government, such attacks were seen by the union as acts of political reprisal by supporters of the coup. No arrests have been made in association with these attacks.



The general living conditions of Haitian workers and the general population have drastically worsened since the coup of 29 February. The delegation heard that the price of rice has jumped dramatically, as much as doubling. Other vital foodstuffs have seen even more serious price inflation. Several witnesses testified that whereas before the coup, Haitians were able to eat at least once per day, the cost of food has reduced this to as little as 3 meals per week. Even those Haitians fortunate enough to have a job are barely subsisting.



As for human rights, things are even more serious. The coup which deposed President Aristide has led to a serious wave of attacks and persecutions of supporters of President Aristide and his Fanmi Lavalas Party. The delegation heard testimony from an elected member of Parliament for the Fanmi Lavalas who is living in hiding, having been driven out of his town under gunfire. Other political leaders and known activists have also been forced into hiding, living underground, fearing the death threats and violence directed at supporters of the ousted government. Despite its obvious popularity, the Fanmi Lavalas movement is not currently able to have political demonstrations or otherwise take open political action due to the threat of attack. The coup regime, supported by an international military coalition led by the US, France and Canada, has not provided security for those currently most at risk. The names of Lavalas supporters - and even those suspected of being Lavalas supporters - are being read off on right-wing radio stations as an implicit threat. Neither the coup regime nor its international backers have taken action to contain what many Haitians refer to as an anti-Lavalas “witch hunt” that continues to this day.

more
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_7565.shtml

[Eye and Monkey]

1. Haiti to UN: nation needs relief, not just troops

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10184384.htm

10 May 2004 22:22:00 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Haiti's interim prime minister appealed to the United Nations on Monday for economic and development aid, saying just sending peacekeeping troops was insufficient.

Gerard Latortue, who conferred with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, told reporters that while piles of weapons in Haiti were a severe problem, he believed the expected U.N. troops were enough to accomplish disarmament "easily and rapidly."

Some 3,500 foreign troops, half from the United States, the others from France, Canada and Chile, are now in Haiti. Up to 6,700 U.N.-organized troops and 1,622 civilian police are to replace them on June 1.

Latortue told reporters, "Sending troops is not enough because the root of the problem is poverty, unemployment."

MORE -


ALSO -

http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/e089038b64c1ec0b49256e930002e829?OpenDocument

What will Haitians eat tomorrow?

ACT members combat food shortages in wake of political crisis
By Paul Jeffrey, ACT International

Petite Riviere, Haiti, May 12, 2004--Mercidien Francois' family is not going to eat today. Yesterday, the Haitian woman mixed some corn and flour with water and gave a cup of the weak mixture to each of her seven children and her husband, who lies sick of liver disease. Tomorrow, there may or may not be anything to eat. "When someone has food, we share it among our neighbors, but my neighbors don't have any food these days, either," Francois says, sitting in the shade of her dried mud home while watching the sun move across the arid, deforested landscape.
<snip>
While the political struggle about the region's fate goes on, Francois and her neighbors are trying to figure out what they'll eat tomorrow. Food insecurity increased in recent months as political and military conflict brought transportation to a standstill. Most food prices in this remote region rose more than 50 percent. The lingering drought had already exhausted the coping mechanisms of poor families, so there was little ability to deal with the new problems created by the fight over Aristide. Many families were forced to consume the seeds they had hoped to plant. "When you mix the political crisis with the drought, you get a real disaster for the poor," says Prospery Raymond, a program officer for Christian Aid in Haiti.

MORE -

ALSO -

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N06734780.htm

Criminals run amok in Haiti despite U.S. force

06 May 2004 20:34:13 GMT

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, May 6 (Reuters) - More than 3,000 escaped convicts are running amok in Haiti threatening individuals and businesses, unrestrained by a U.S.-led multinational force meant to keep the peace, police and residents said on Thursday.

Jails were emptied and prisoners set free across the Caribbean country in February as an armed revolt swept out of the north toward Port-au-Prince, eventually forcing President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from power.

But now many who supported the rebels, such as businessmen, are paying the price and are being kidnapped, shot and robbed by bands of drug dealers and other criminals.

"Armed bandits visited me three times in two weeks and took away all the money I had," said Josue Jeanty, 50, a grocery store owner in the capital, where most of the 3,600 foreign troops led by U.S. Marines are on patrol. The U.S.-led force will be replaced by an 8,000-strong U.N. deployment in June.

SEE ALSO -
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vLCE/Haiti%20?OpenDocument&StartKey=Haiti%20&Expandview

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/emergency/HA_UNR.htm

[seemslikeadream]

2. In defiance of U.S. occupation: North American delegation attend workers c

National Committee of Women Work ers President Ginette Apoloon speaks with strength and conviction. She told us that health care is virtually absent for workers. Cash payment is required.


In contrast, she said, "Under the Aristide administration there were plans for health-care insurance that paid 50 percent of costs."


She emphasized that the union movement should demand an end to the sexual abuse of women on the job. Women should not be compromised.

Reports are also circulating that Andy Apaid is negotiating to buy the state-owned telephone company, Teleco, and privatize the system.

He told us that many Lavalas supporters fled to the mountains. He also fled. Milot asked, "Where did they get the money for helicopters and planes?"

He also remarked, "The Haitian elite also gives a lot of money to the rebels."

more
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_7524.shtml