U.N. gives killer cops in Haiti a free ride
U.S. journalist threatened
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Haiti's capital May 18 to demand the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and freedom for the political prisoners. The MINUSTAH troops provided logistical support allowing SWAT teams to intimidate the peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators. The U.N. also tried to stop HIP correspondent Kevin Pina from reporting the news with repeated threats.
May 18 demonstration continues despite the U.N. allowing masked members of the Haitian SWAT to enter the area with automatic weapons. The Haitian police murdered unarmed marchers on Feb. 28 and April 27 during similar peaceful demonstrations.
U.N. gives killer cops in Haiti a free ride
Haiti Information Project
May 19, 2005
Port au Prince (HIP) – Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Haiti’s capital today to demand the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and freedom for political prisoners. The U.N. provided security for the march but allowed SWAT units of the Haitian police to enter the otherwise peaceful demonstration with automatic weapons drawn.
HIP reporters on the scene were threatened as they attempted to film the SWAT members wearing black ski masks to hide their identities. These same units of the Haitian police have been responsible for human rights violations in the past that include killing unarmed demonstrators on Feb. 28 and April 27. To date, not a single officer of the Haitian police has received a reprimand or been charged with a crime in these high profile murders. This has led to charges the U.N. is helping to cover-up the killings and is providing unqualified support to a police force that is seen by many as widely corrupt and out of control.
The role of the U.N., particularly the Brazilians leading the so-called “peacekeeping” mission, was documented on May 18 when they threatened HIP Editor and American journalist Kevin Pina with arrest. Pina had been filming members of a Haitian SWAT team despite their objections and verbal threats. Another videographer captured Pina on tape as he challenged the police to explain why they were afraid to be filmed despite the fact they could not be identified under black ski masks. Pina continued by demanding the police explain why U.N. Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdes had assured the press they could operate freely in Haiti two weeks ago during a speech on International World Press Freedom Day. Pina asked, “Was Valdes mouthing pretty words because obviously I am not doing anything illegal by filming you. I am just doing my job of bringing news to the world of your role in Haiti. Why are you afraid to be filmed? Why do you hide behind those frightening masks while you carry those huge guns? How is this camera a threat to you or interfering in your work? Explain that to me because I am the one who should be frightened here. If you decide to shoot me no one will know who you are.” A Brazilian soldier intervened and demanded Pina turn off his video camera. The journalist responded, “No. I have every right to keep my camera rolling, as long it does not interfere with you or the police. I refuse to stop because I am doing nothing wrong. Otherwise arrest me for the crime of being a journalist.” The Brazilian soldier was caught on camera screaming back, “Fuck you! Fuck you!” Pina then asked, “Is that the official diplomatic language the U.N. is using with international journalists in Haiti today?”
The march continued up Delmas and crossed over to Lalue. As the march descended towards the National Palace a U.N. jeep was seen stopping Pina’s vehicle as a Brazilian officer photographed him. Pina demanded the officer identify himself and he refused. A tape recorder captured the unidentified Brazilian officer as he stated, “You are always making trouble for us. I have taken your picture and I am going to give it to the Haitian police. They will get you.”
As the march returned to Bel Air, a panic ensued as SWAT units began to enter the neighborhood from the direction of Haiti’s Cathedral. Pina, a second cameraman and several Haitian radio journalists walked down to the Cathedral where about 20 masked SWAT carrying M-14s and M-16s were preparing to enter Bel Air. In an event witnessed by journalist Reed Lindsay, the Haitian police demanded that Pina not videotape them and one commander asked him exactly what his work is in Haiti? Pina showed his press credentials and explained that people in the United States, especially members of the U.S. Congress, want to understand the role of the Haitian police.
As Pina continued filming, the SWAT unit literally ran from his camera and left the scene. Pina added, “It’s as if this camera is the sun and they are vampires. What on earth do they have to hide? If they are not doing anything wrong why should they be afraid of a press camera? How many people have they already killed in cold-blood under the watchful eyes of the U.N. and not a single one of them has ever been prosecuted for a crime? Look how despite this, the U.N. is still willing to protect them from my camera and allow them into these demonstrations. If there was no violence today it had less to do with the security of the U.N. and more to do with the courage of the press.” Journalist Reed Lindsay commented, “What was striking was that there was no UN presence monitoring these guys when they entered Bel Air. I was struck by number of SWAT who seemed like they were moving into Bel Air and towards the peaceful demonstration. I can’t say for sure what they were doing there but I can’t imagine they had any other objective than to fire at the demonstration. Without the presence of Pina and other journalists on the scene who knows what would have happened.”
Following the march, the Haitian police attacked demonstrators returning to Cite Soleil. According to witnesses, Sanel Joseph was shot and killed by the Haitian police for no apparent reason as he returned home from the demonstration. No U.N. security presence or U.N. police monitors were present as the police opened fire.
At about 8 p.m., SWAT units entered the Petion-Ville market place and began shooting indiscriminately and were seen dragging a taxi driver out of his car and placing a gun to his head. A nearby restaurant owner lamented, “They don’t need a reason. They don’t want respect from the people. They want fear. They think that if they don’t shoot somebody than people won’t continue being afraid of them. They value fear more than respect.”
The U.N. allowed Haitian Swat units to line the demonstration route with automatic weapons. It was SWAT units such as this that were responsible for killing unarmed demonstrators on Feb. 28 and April 27. To date, not a single officer of the Haitian police
Brazilian officer who refused to identify himself instructs a Haitian camerman to photograph journalist Kevin Pina.
A tape recorder captured an unidentified Brazilian officer as he shouted at Kevin Pina, “You are always making trouble for us. I have taken your picture and I am going to give it to the Haitian police. They will get you.”
Following the march, the Haitian police attacked demonstrators returning to Cite Soleil. According to witnesses, Sanel Joseph was shot and killed by the Haitian police for no apparent reason as he returned home from the demonstration. No U.N. security pr
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rights, freedoms and repression |
news report
Friday May 20, 2005 19:29
by Haiti Information Project - Haiti Information Project
haitiinformationproject at yahoo dot com
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Comments (5 of 5)
Jump To Comment: 5 4 3 2 1The UN is a political entity consisting of many parts. Some parts are bigger and stronger than other parts and they tend to control the political decisions, particularly those that have any "security" implications.
Thus on the one hand it is fair to blame the UN because the soldiers there are operating under a UN mandate on a mission sanctioned by the UN Security Council.
On the other hand, if one of the big powerful parts wants to take a certain action and the other big powerful parts leave it pass so that they can object more strenuously to something they are more particularly interested in, it is just as (or more) legitimate to blame those parts that participate in the decision.
In the case of Haiti, it's quite clear to anyone who has read anything about Haiti that the recent coup was backed by the US. The French have historical reasons for wanting input and control of the place (being the previous colonial rulers and who were amongst the first such rulers to get the boot), the Russians and Chinese didn't give much of a fuck, choosing their battles wisely (in political terms) and the British, well what's good for the Yanks is good for them, arf, arf.
It does appear that the UN troops in Haiti are behaving in a terribly partisan manner. It would be interesting to know the nationality of the commander of operations there. As for Brazils participation, well in the world of realpolitik Lula has to make some (lots really) concessions to the yanks to get away with some of his mildly socialist/liberal guff. This appears to be one of them.
Who cares about Haiti anyway they're all black over there.
Do you ever think about the soldiers/police who have died on UN duty? they have given their lives, thats a lot more than most. And how are their colleagues repaid by the world for risking their lives? Having cameras shoved in their face and having their names demanded, thyen blamed.
How do you know that the soldiers arent trying to stop such acts? You treat it like theres a million heavily armed UN soldiers running around. there isnt however I find it ironic that the same people cursing soldiers and cops are the same people complaining that they dont do anything to stop these acts. How should they stop them? by killing people thats how.
'Let's be clear -- the UN doesn't have an army. UN interventions are authorised by the Security Council and carried out by member states.
The UN peacekeepers in Haiti are mostly from Brazil, the US and France. Saying it's the UN's fault is like saying "it's humanity's fault" or something.'
And there you have it, the UN isnt responsible...that just makes me cry.
Isnt it a wonderful world when we come up with a convenient draw for all of our collective guilt...for Rwanda it was the UNs fault but that is ok because then its not just our fault for doing nothing - even the UN couldnt help so its everybodies fault and nobodies fault which means its kind of ok.
This is exactly what the UN is not supposed to be!
It must be accountable - it cant be a guilt free way of doing nothing - it fails far too often because of the idea that if the UN fails its nobodies fault because if the highest standard cant solve the problem then you can just throw your arms up and say quelle domage...
Let's be clear -- the UN doesn't have an army. UN interventions are authorised by the Security Council and carried out by member states.
The UN peacekeepers in Haiti are mostly from Brazil, the US and France. Saying it's the UN's fault is like saying "it's humanity's fault" or something.
Presidency Statement on UN deployment of Multinational Interim Force to Haiti
Date: 1 Mar 2004
Policy Area: General Affairs and External Relations
Content Type: CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) Statements
The President of the EU Council of Ministers, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., today welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to authorize the immediate and temporary deployment to Haiti of a Multinational Interim Force, with the prospect of a follow-on United Nations stabilization force deploying within three months.
The Security Council's action followed an appeal by Haiti's acting President, Mr Boniface Alexandre, for urgent international support in restoring peace and security.
The Security Council mandated the operation as a means of contributing to a secure and stable environment in the country, to facilitate the provision of relief aid to those in need, and to help the Haitian police and the Haitian Coast Guard maintain law and order and protect human rights.