Haitian People Divided and Humiliated
In February, Haitian human rights lawyer Evel Fanfan spoke at the University of Maine Law School in Portland, Bates College, the Fare Share Commons in Norway, the Friends Meeting House in Damariscotta, the Rockland Public Library and the Peace and Justice Center in Portland.
Fanfan noted that since February 29, 2004, when U.S. soldiers forced President Jean Bertrand Aristide onto a plane and into exile, the country has been divided and humiliated. The Haitian people who are in search of a better future are slandered as terrorists and criminals. "Children are dumped in the streets, the young are condemned to drugs, prostitution and juvenile delinquency." Those who dare to protest "are hunted, beaten, humiliated, and thrown into prison."
Fanfan is the president of AUMOHD, the Association of University Students Committed to Haiti with Rights. AUMOHD advocates for justice and human rights, especially for poor youth. Since the February coup, AUMOHD has grown, and has taken up the cause of political prisoners.
The present government in Haiti arrests people without charging them or obtaining arrest warrants. They are held 18 to a cell, with no toilet facilities. Thirty-five juveniles,some as young as 12, were crammed into two tiny cells when Tom Luce, a Vermont human rights activist, visited Haiti last year.
Luce, along with Tom Whitney of Maine Haiti Solidarity, escorted Evel Fanfan to his Maine speaking engagements. The goal of Maine Haiti Solidarity is to "recruit allies in the struggle for justice in Haiti." For more information on the group call 207 773-6562 or 207 743-2183.
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