Update on Detained Workers

Haiti Report for July 12, 2002, prepared by Haiti Reborn/Quixote Center

Labor organizations denounced Wednesday the prolonged preventive detention of nine rural workers employed at Guacimal. During a conference, these organizations including NCHR (National Coalition for Haitian Rights), Batay Ouvriye, POHDH (Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations) and PAPDA (Platform to Advocate Alternative Development) declared that the prolonged detention of these individuals constitutes a grave violation of the Haitian constitution as well as conventions and treaties signed by Haiti.

Jean Simon Saint-Hubert of the POHDH demands the release of these individuals detained nearly 45 days at the penitentiary and the Fort National prison. (AHP, 7/10)

Batay Ouvriye Solidarity Network Press Release, excerpts: The situation of the jailed workers has taken a turn for the worse. In fact, last week, Batay Ouvriye sent out an alert for solidarity in view of the worsening conditions of the workers who were injured at the time of the massacre and never received any medical attention up to this point.

The 9 Guacimal workers are still in jail in the National Penitentiary and Fort National in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. However, at least 40 human rights organizations in Haiti have raised their voices to protest and demand the unconditional release of the workers from the jails. (BOSN, 7/10)