Come stand with the people of Haiti on Thursday as we mark the 6^th weekly vigil for this well-loved defender of grassroots people who was kidnapped in Haiti 10 months ago.  Our vigil’s presence is becoming known as increasing numbers of passers-by and bus drivers honk in support, and people on foot stop for information and to sign the petition for Lovinsky’s safe return.

If you can’t come out on Thursday, send a letter to Brazil (model below).  Also below see the report by Amnesty International concerning Lovinsky and his colleague Wilson Mesilien, who has been coordinating Fondasyon Trant Septanm (30 September Foundation) since Lovinsky was disappeared; as you will see Wilson has himself now been driven into hiding.  Members of the London Vigil for Lovinsky recently met with the Amnesty International representative for Haiti in London.

Ad Hoc Working Group for Haiti:  CISPES/LA, Global Women’s Strike/LA, International Action Center/LA, Women of Color in the Global Women’s Strike, Ross Plesset and other concerned individuals.  For more info: la@crossroadswomen.net, 323-276-9833, & check out www.Haitisolidarity.net, www.globalwomenstrike.net

Model Letter to Brazilian Consulate

Consul General of Brazil - LA
8484 Wilshire Blvd, 711/730
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (323) 651-2664, Fax: (323) 651-1274
tquintella@brazilian-consulate.org

Re: Disappearance of human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine in Haiti:  I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Mr Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, the human rights activist kidnapped on August 12, 2007 after meeting with a US human rights delegation visiting Haiti.  His wife and children, many friends and colleagues, and concerned people around the world, have been doing all they can to ensure his safe return.

Amnesty International has issued urgent reports for Mr Pierre-Antoine and his close colleague, Mr Wilson Mésilien who has been co-ordinating Fondasyon Trant Septanm (30 September Foundation) in Mr Pierre-Antoine’s absence. Mr Mésilien has received death threats and narrowly escaped abduction in November.  I enclose Amnesty’s report (at http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR36/003/2008/).

I am writing to you because Brazil heads the UN forces in Haiti and thus has committed itself to maintaining law and order there.  I urgently request that you do everything in your power to ensure that your government is taking every possible step to bring about Mr. Pierre-Antoine’s safe return to his family and community.  Given that your government is widely credited by the media with tackling gangs and restoring law and order in Haiti, it seems right and appropriate that you would want to prioritize finding a disappeared human rights activist. 

I enclose the statement made by actor and activist Danny Glover at a vigil outside the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles.  

As you know, Mr. Pierre-Antoine is loved and respected by many, and is committed to the cause of those who have least.  He founded Fondasyon Trant Septanm, which advocates for victims of the 1991 and 2004 coups d'états against Jean-Bertrand Aristide; and co-founded Fondasyon Kore Timoun Yo for street children in Port-au- Prince, and FAM, a center for teenage mothers.

Mr. Pierre-Antoine is important to people all over the world who care about Haiti and acknowledge our enormous debt to the Haitian people who did the unthinkable. They overthrew their slave masters and the most powerful empire of the time, giving us the first victory in the struggle to end slavery in the Americas.  Their victory strengthened everyone resisting exploitation and injustice, and directly aided the movement to liberate Latin America.  The world has largely ignored this enormous contribution.  But we would expect Brazil, whose population is in the majority people of color, descendents of those who also underwent and overthrew slavery, to do it’s utmost to protect a Haitian defender of justice.  

In response to calls from Haitian people, vigils and fasts for Mr Pierre-Antoine’s release have been held at Guyana’s headquarters of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community Secretariat, and in cities in Spain, the US and the UK.  Prayers and services for Mr Pierre-Antoine have been held in UK churches.  An internet petition has been signed by over 2100 people, including many prominent individuals, and an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament is calling for Mr Pierre Antoine’s release.  Pax Christi International and others have joined our call for action.

I am disappointed that you have so far not responded with urgency and compassion to Mr Pierre-Antoine’s disappearance, but have instead distanced yourself from responsibility for these events in Haiti.  Please let me hear from you as matter of urgency what steps your government is taking to ensure your UN forces and other authorities investigate this case with the zealousness it deserves.

Yours sincerely  

signed

You can also send copies of your letter to:

President Préval, Palais National
Port-au-Prince, Haïti
Tel: 011-509-245-0474
Fax: (206) 350-7986 (a U.S. number)     Email: avokahaiti@aol.com
(This is fax and email of Institute for Justice  & Democracy in Haiti; they will ensure a copy of your letter is delivered to President Préval)

UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
Tel: 011-509-244-0650/0660
FAX: 011-509-244-9366/67
Or Fax: Office of Secretary General (New York): 212-963-4879

United States Embassy
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Tel: 011-509-223-4711, or 222-0200 or 0354
FAX: 011-509-223-1641

Wilson Mésilien (m), aged 39, human rights activist, interim coordinator of the Fondasyon Trant Septanm (30 September Foundation),

The life of Wilson Mésilien, the interim coordinator of Fondasyon Trant Septanm (30 September Foundation), may be at risk due to his continued work in defending the rights of the victims of the 1991-1994 military coup. Amnesty International is even more concerned for his safety as the former coordinator of the Fondasyon, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, was kidnapped on 12 August and his whereabouts are still unknown.

Over the last few weeks, Wilson Mésilien has been receiving threatening telephone calls.  Early in the afternoon of 26 November, two unknown individuals tried to intercept him as he rode his motorcycle in Boul. des Industries, North of Port-au-Prince. Wilson Mésilien was on his way home after attending an appeal court hearing for Fr. Gérard Jean-Juste, a former prisoner of conscience who is still facing criminal charges.

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine has not been seen since 12 August, after he had left the company of a delegation of human rights activists visiting Haiti. The car he was driving was found abandoned near the neighbourhood Delmas 18. Days before his abduction, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine had announced his intention to stand as Senator in the elections initially scheduled for December 2007 under the banner of the Fanmi Lavalas Party. There are fears that he may have been abducted by people connected with the former military because of his continued activism in denouncing past human rights violations during the 1991-1994 military government and in gathering signatures to amend the Constitution in order to eliminate all provisions for the existence of a Haitian army.

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine's abduction was reportedly made to look like a kidnapping for ransom. His family were contacted by his alleged abductors on 14 August and asked to pay a ransom of US$ 300,000 for his release. However there has been no further contact from the abductors.

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine is a psychologist and has been involved for several years as a grass-roots community organizer, mainly working with children. During the last presidency of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, he was appointed General Coordinator of the National Office on Migration. He left Haiti into exile during the transitional government and returned in February 2006.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Wilson Mésilien is one of the founding members of Fondasyon Trant Septanm along with Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine. The Fondasyon was named after the date of the military coup, 30 September 1991 during which President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted. At least 3,000 persons were killed during the military regime between 1991 -1994. Ever since its creation in 1996, the Fondasyon members carry out weekly marches in central Port-au-Prince and several other Haitian towns to press for an end to impunity for past abuses and reparation for victims of the 1991-1994 military coup and for the victims of the transitional government of 2004-2006. The Fondasyon also campaigns for the total abolition of the Haitian army through a reform of the Constitution by gathering signatures during a tour of a photo-exhibition of victims of past human rights abuses.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in French or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Wilson Mésilien and of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine who has not been seen since 12 August;

- urging the authorities to double their efforts to locate Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine;

- calling for the authorities to ensure Wilson Mésilien’s protection in accordance with his wishes;

- calling for a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the “disappearance” of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine and the threats received by Wilson Mésilien, to make the result public and to bring those responsible to justice;

- reminding the authorities that the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms recognizes the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals.

APPEALS TO:

Minister of Justice and Public Security
Monsieur René Magloire
Ministre de la Justice et de la Sécurité Publique,

19 Avenue Charles Sumner, Port-au-Prince, HAITI (W.I.)
Fax:             +509 245 0474 (the fax may not be in service at all times but please, keep trying.)
Salutation:   Monsieur le Ministre/Dear Minister

General Director of the Haiti National Police
Mario Andresol
Directeur Général de la Police Nationale d'Haïti
Grand Quartier Général de la Police

12 rue Oscar Pacot, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (W.I.)
Fax:             +509 245 7374
Salutation:   Monsieur le Directeur Général/Dear Mr Andresol

COPIES TO:

Human rights organization

c/o Fondasyon Trant Septanm

No. 3, 2ème impasse Lavaud , Boite Postale 19042

Port-au-Prince, Haïti (W.I.)

and to diplomatic representatives of Haiti accredited to your country.

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