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Roger in Haiti

On August 5, 2007, I began a two-week visit to Haiti as part of a human rights fact finding delegation sponsored by the U.S.-based Fondasyon Mapou and Haiti Priorities Project. You can read an extensive account of this visit in the entries on this site. To learn more about our delegation's findings and see a photo display, you can attend meetings across Canada in the coming weeks. See the blog entry announcing these meetings, or visit the website of the Canada Haiti Action Network.

Our visit was marred by a tragic event--the kidnapping on August 12 of a well-known and respected Haitian political rights fighter, Lovinsky Pierre Antoine. Our delegation had the honour of his participation in many of our events. We are now working hard with others to win his safe release.

You can send me information or feedback at rogerannis@hotmail.com I look forward to seeing you or hearing from you in the weeks ahead.

Roger Annis
August 27, 2007

Protesters condemn kidnapping in Port au Prince

Posted August 15th, 2007 by Roger Annis

Supporters of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine protest his kidnapping in Port au Prince

August 15, 2007

Today, more than one hundred angry people took to streets of central Port au Prince to condemn the kidnapping of Lovinsky Pierre Antoine. He is a longtime political rights fighter and leader of the September 30 Foundation, a group founded in 2004 by Lovinsky. Its principle activity has been to fight for the rights of people illegally incarcerated in Haiti.

Lovinsky lived in exile from 2004 to 2006 following the coup d’etat and foreign intervention against the elected government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The rally today was held in the grand plaza in front of Haiti’s presidential palace. It was organized by Lovinsky’s colleagues in the September 30 Foundation and by other human and social rights groups. More protest actions will take place in the coming days.

Protesters are demanding that the Haitian government and police use all necessary resources to secure Lovinsky’s release. They also condemn the conditions of lawlessness that have marked Haiti since the February 2004 coup d’etat and foreign intervention.

Large numbers of Brazilian soldiers were stationed in front of the presidential palace, across the street from the protest. Few Haitian National Police were visible.

Lovinsky’s case has been widely publicized on radio in Haiti. The print press has yet to cover the story.

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