Haiti: National Police must be held accountable for killings of civilians

[struggle4progress]

Source: Amnesty International (AI)
Date: 29 Apr 2005


The use of lethal and indiscriminate violence by the police to disperse and repress demonstrators only serves to increase tension in an already violence-torn country, said Amnesty International today as it condemned the repression against Lavalas Party supporters by Haitian National Police (HNP) officers in Port-au-Prince on 27 April.

According to reports, police officers opened fire against Lavalas supporters demonstrating near the United Nations Mission headquarters in Bourdon, Port-au-Prince.

At least 5 people died during the demonstration and 4 others are reported to have died later on as a consequence of their wounds. Several demonstrators and bystanders were also injured.

"The repression of this peaceful demonstration is not an isolated case. The insecurity and ongoing confrontation with armed groups should not be used as a pretext to crack down on demonstrators and the right to freedom of expression and association," Amnesty International said. <snip>

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/ACIO-6BWSCT?OpenDocument