Seven of the nine people illegally detained without charge since the Batay Ouvriye union rally on 27 May have been released - Haiti Support Group press release, 22 August 2002
The Haiti Support Group is pleased to report that, on 20 August, seven of the nine people held since 27 May have been released from jails in Port-au-Prince. The releases came the day after a three-hour sit-in at the Ministry of Justice organised by Batay Ouvriye, the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR), and the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organisations (POHDH).
The Haiti Support Group salutes the determination of Batay Ouvriye to get their six comrades and three transport workers out of prison. We applaud too the mobilisations involving the NCHR, the POHDH, and the Platform to Advocate for an Alternative Development (PAPDA), amongst others.
The Haiti Support Group also applauds the solidarity with illegally imprisoned union members shown by a large number of international unions and union federations. We thank too the hundreds of individuals in the UK and other countries who signed the petition calling for the nine detainees to be released.
However, we cannot relax while two Batay Ouvriye members remain behind bars.
URBAIN GARCON AND JEREMIE DORVIL HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH ANY OFFENCE - IT IS A SCANDAL THAT THEY ARE STILL IN PRISON.
Release ALL the Guacimal prisoners NOW!
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