UN expert says human rights getting worse in Haiti

UN Independent Expert for Human Rights Louis Joinet 
speaks to reporters 5 November, 2003 during a press 
conference in Port-au-Prince. 
( AFP PHOTO/Thony BELIZAIRE)

Friday, November 7, 2003

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP): The human rights situation in Haiti has "again deteriorated" with police facing a "serious identity crisis", according to a UN appointed expert on human rights in the country.

Discouragement within the ranks of Haiti's national police force is "very serious", Louis Joinet told reporters at the end of a 12-day mission here.

Top police officials have left their jobs "scandalized and disappointed", said Joinet who cited the case of police officers "who believe in their job but watch helplessly on as people are given unbelievable promotions outside of all legal criteria".

Denouncing what he called political persecutions in the country, he said political activists in Haiti were treated like "terrorists" and human rights defenders as "liars".

He said human rights violators could face international justice.

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