Amnesty International Calls for Action by Haiti on Abduction and Threats Against "September 30" Human Rights Defenders
(New York)--Amnesty International said today it has mobilized its global network of activists on behalf of two human
rights defenders in Haiti, one abducted and the other facing physical threats. The organization is calling on the
Haitian authorities to redouble efforts to find Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, who was abducted in August, and to protect
Wilson Mesilien, who has recently been threatened with physical harm. The two are founding members of the September 30th
Foundation, which has mobilized to defend the rights of victims of the 1991-94 military coup.
"The Haitian authorities have a responsibility under international law to protect the legitimate rights of human rights
defenders to organize and take action without restrictions or fear of reprisals," said Renata Rendón, advocacy director
for the Americas for Amnesty International USA.
Amnesty International is sending letters to Haiti and its embassies worldwide, urging officials to take action on behalf
of the two men.
"The threats against Wilson Mesilien are very serious in light of the abduction of his colleague Lovinsky
Pierre-Antoine," said Rendón. "Individuals and organizations, including members of the U.S. Congress, the U.N.
Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and human rights and solidarity organizations based in the United States and
Great Britain have contacted President Preval and other Haitian officials to urge a more vigorous investigation into
Pierre-Antoine's disappearance. The lack of available public information on the investigation's progress is
disappointing. Amnesty International activists are now demanding that Haiti step up its efforts to find Pierre-Antoine
and protect Mesilien."
Pierre-Antoine, 54, a psychologist and previous coordinator of the foundation, has not been seen since August 12, 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 neighborhood, Delmas 18. Days before his abduction, Pierre-Antoine had announced his intention to
stand as senator in the elections initially scheduled for December 2007 with the Fanmi Lavalas Party.
Amnesty International fears that Pierre-Antoine may have been abducted by individuals 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.
Pierre-Antoine's abduction was reportedly made to look like a kidnapping for ransom. His family was contacted by his
alleged abductors on August 14 and asked to pay a ransom. However there has been no further contact from the abductors.
During the last presidency of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Pierre-Antoine 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
The September 30th Foundation (Fondasyon Trant Septan) is named after the date of the military coup in 1991 during which
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted. At least 3,000 individuals were killed during the military regime between
1991-1994. Since 1996, Fondasyon members have marched weekly 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 group also campaigns for the total abolition of the Haitian
army through constitutional reform and has gathered signatures toward this goal.
ENDS