Washington-Installed Haitian Government's Detention of Political Prisoners and Human Rights Violations Stirs U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters to Action

Interview with Congresswoman Maxine Waters conducted by Scott Harris

One year ago, rebel attacks against the government of Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide led to the Feb. 29 overthrow of that Caribbean nation's first democratically elected president. The former Catholic priest charged that he was the victim of a political kidnapping carried out by members of the United States military when he was taken aboard an American plane and forced into exile in the Central African Republic. Aristide was later given political asylum in Jamaica and now resides in South Africa.

Haiti's Washington-installed Prime Minister, Gerard Latortue, has imprisoned hundreds of officials and supporters of Aristide's overthrown government, including former Prime Minister Yvonne Neptune and Interior Minister Jocelerme Privert. Both men, detained since June 27 without charge, have undertaken a hunger strike in protest. Neptune, who was hospitalized on March 10 for treatment of severe dehydration, has vowed to continue his fast until he's released.

California Congresswoman Maxine Waters visited Haiti on March 7 with a delegation of American human rights advocates and met with Neptune and Privert. The democratic Representative expressed grave concern about the deplorable prison conditions and the human rights situation she observed in Haiti. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Congresswoman Waters about her fact-finding trip to Haiti and her criticism of Bush administration policy toward that troubled island nation.

For more information, call Congresswoman Waters' office at (202) 225-2201, or visit her website at www.house.gov/waters.

Related links:

Center for Constitutional Rights at www.ccr-ny.org

Council on Hemispheric Affairs at www.coha.org

Haiti Progres at haitiprogres.com

Haiti Action at www.haitiaction.net

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