PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 36/001/2008

09 January 2008

Further Information on UA 336/07 (AMR 36/008/2007, 18 December 2007) Fear for safety

HAITI Wilson Mésilien (m), aged 39, human rights activist, interim coordinator of the Fondasyon Trant Septanm (30 September Foundation)

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine (m), aged 54, political and human rights activist, former coordinator of the Fondasyon Trant Septanm

A man went to the Mésilien family home on 19 December pretending to be a journalist seeking to confirm a report that Wilson Mésilien had been kidnapped. Fearing for their lives, Wilson Mésilien, his wife and four children went into hiding. Their lives are in grave danger.

Wilson Mésilien told Amnesty International that the Haitian authorities have completely ignored Amnesty International’s repeated requests to provide him with protection. He has been running the Fondasyon Trant Septanm since 12 August, when the human rights organisation's coordinator, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, was kidnapped.

Days before he was kidnapped, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine had announced his intention to run for election as a senator for the Fanmi Lavalas party. He is feared to have been abducted by people connected with the army disbanded by President Aristide in 1995 because he was publicising human rights violations committed during the 1991-1994 military government and gathering signatures on a petition calling for a change to the Constitution that would eliminate all provisions for the existence of a Haitian army.Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine’s whereabouts are still unknown.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in French or your own language:

- urging the authorities to ensure Wilson Mésilien is protected in accordance with his wishes;

- calling on them to redouble their efforts to find Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine;

- calling on them to order a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the abduction of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine and the threats received by Wilson Mésilien, publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;

- reminding the authorities that the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms recognizes the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals.

APPEALS TO:

President

Monsieur René García Préval

Président de la République d’Haïti,

Palais National, Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince, HAITI (W.I.)

Fax: +509 228 2772

Salutation: Monsieur le Président/Dear President Préval

Minister of Justice and Public Security
Monsieur René Magloire
Ministre de la Justice et de la Sécurité Publique,

19 Avenue Charles Sumner, Port-au-Prince, HAITI (W.I.)
Fax: +509 245 0474 (erratic; please, keep trying)
Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre/Dear Minister

General Director of the Haiti National Police
Mario Andresol
Directeur Général de la Police Nationale d'Haïti
Grand Quartier Général de la Police

12 rue Oscar Pacot, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (W.I.)
Fax: +509 245 7374
Salutation: Monsieur le Directeur Général/Dear Mr Andresol

COPIES TO:

Human rights organization

c/o Fondasyon Trant Septanm

No. 3, 2ème impasse Lavaud , Boite Postale 19042

Port-au-Prince, Haïti (W.I.)

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Haiti accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 20 February 2007.