Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 30 aout 2023

 Carrefour-Feuilles : 8 armed men shot dead by police

August 27, 2023

In a large-scale operation conducted by the police forces last Saturday in Carrefour-Feuilles, eight individuals suspected to belong to the Grand Ravine gang were neutralized. Authorities simultaneously managed to confiscate several firearms during this decisive intervention in the fight against crime.

However, this action comes following a week of tension during which the gang, under the leadership of Ti Lapli, spread terror in the locality, leaving behind a toll of dead and injured individuals.

The situation had reached a critical point in the middle of the week when heavily armed individuals affiliated with Ti Lapli’s gang launched attacks in various neighborhoods of Carrefour-Feuilles. Their actions resulted in deaths and injuries among the defenseless civilian population. Faced with this imminent threat, many residents were forced to leave their homes to escape this wave of deadly violence.

Haiti violence: gang guns down churchgoers protesting against criminals

Rights groups say churchgoers were killed and wounded as they marched in order to rid the area of gang members

The Guardian - At least seven people were killed in Haiti, a rights group said, after a powerful gang that controls a northern suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince, opened fire with machine guns on a protest organised by a Christian church leader.

Haitian rights group CARDH director Gedeon Jean said the final number killed would probably be higher, adding that several people were wounded and some churchgoers had been kidnapped, after they marched through the community on Saturday trying to rid the area of gang members. Local media reported at least 10 participants were killed.

Videos shared on X/Twitter showed about 100 people, many wearing yellow shirts associated with the religious group of Pastor Marco, marching in the suburb Canaan, some carrying sticks and machetes.

Canaan is controlled by a gang led by a man identified only as Jeff, who is believed to be allied with the “5 Seconds” gang.

Gangs have grown more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Gédéon Jean, director of Haiti’s Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, said that he also watched the event unfold online and planned to ask the justice ministry to investigate.

He accused the pastor of being irresponsible because he “engaged a group of people and put them in a situation like this”.

The parishioners who clutched machetes and yelled “Free Canaan!” were no match for gang members armed with assault rifles.

“Police should have stopped them from going,” Jean said. “It’s extremely horrible for the state to let something like this happen.”

Comment was sought from Haiti’s national police.

From 1 January until 15 August, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped and another 902 injured, according to the most recent United Nations statistics.

Fed up with the surge in gang violence, Haitians organised a violent movement in April known as bwa kale that targets suspected gang members. More than 350 people have been killed since the uprising began, according to the UN.

In October, the Haitian government requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force to quell gang violence.

The government of Kenya has offered to lead a multinational force, and a delegation of top officials visited Haiti recently as part of a reconnaissance mission.

The US said this month that it was prepared to introduce a UN security council resolution authorising Kenya to take such action.

Haiti Needs a New UN Mission, This Time Led by the US

The Washington Post, August 25, 2023

Business

Bloomberg Opinion

Analysis by James Stavridis

For decades, Haiti has struggled to avoid tumbling into deeply challenging conditions. It has been repeatedly beset by poor leadership, dictatorships, and natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, which are often followed by outbreaks of disease.

Today, the nation of more than 11 million people seems to have reached a nadir. After the assassination of the president in 2021, civil order has essentially been neutered. The shaky parliament is no match for the nation’s large, heavily armed gangs. Kidnapping, rape, murder and drug dealing have soared, with crime rates doubling in a year. 

Port-au-Prince, the capital, is among the most dangerous cities in the Americas. Tragically, all this is occurring in a nation that is the second-oldest free republic in the hemisphere (having won its independence from France in 1804).

As the security situation continues to deteriorate, many international observers are calling for a new United Nations stabilization and security mission, similar to the one in place from 2004 to 2017. Is it time to send the blue helmets back to Haiti?

I know Haiti well. As commander of US Southern Command from 2006 to 2009, I visited often and studied the history, culture and language of the nation, which is the poorest in the Americas and among the least affluent in the world. Nearly 60% live in abject poverty, including 4 million children. I speak French, and learned a bit of the official language, Creole. Haitians told me then that they were grateful for our assistance and engagement — or at least, they were initially.

In my many visits, I spent significant time with the UN mission leaders. 

Known as the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), it was composed of roughly 5,000 UN forces, half military and half police. The military component was mostly Brazilian, and typically a Brazilian Army 3-star general was the overall commander. Chile was also a major contributor, as were Argentina and several other South American nations. 

Soldiers from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka also provided major contingents. Many police officers from India and Pakistan were also engaged. In total, more than 50 nations participated (roughly the number who sent troops to Afghanistan). Of note, the US – which was of course deeply committed in Afghanistan and Iraq throughout the period of the mandate — did not contribute significant forces.

On the positive side of the ledger, the UN troops brought a modicum of stability to Haitian society, reducing violence and increasing access to food and school. But sadly, the mission earned a mixed reputation in Haiti. One critical reason was a severe outbreak of cholera – which killed tens of thousands of Haitians — that has been credibly traced to the water systems installed to support the UN troops. There were also multiple reports of criminal acts by the UN troops, including raids, rape, kidnapping, illegal detention and extrajudicial executions.

I remember the Brazilian 3-star general Carlos dos Santos Cruz telling me how challenging it was operating with so many nations in the UN mission, and that the deep underlying poverty of Haitian society made it difficult to create longer-term stability. Later, when I went on to command the UN mission in Afghanistan, I gained a better appreciation of the challenges he faced during those years. These are large, complex missions conducted under extreme duress.

Yet letting Haiti continue to drift into gang-run anarchy is not a viable solution. Nor does Haiti currently possess the capacity to overcome its challenges without outside intervention.

A new UN mission, using the extensive lessons learned from the first MINUSTAH experience, seems necessary. Obviously, this must be done with the permission of the current government, and the best approach would be to constitute the force as much as possible from the Americas.

By partnering with the Organization of American States, the UN could provide regional command and control as it did in MINUSTAH. This time, given that the demands of Afghanistan and Iraq are gone, US engagement — even leadership — is mandatory. We should remember the Haitian refugees who came to the US in the 1980s on boatlifts, who ultimately numbered more than a hundred thousand. The US has a strong interest in a stable Haiti with reasonable internal security and a shot at economic development.

The new mission should probably be scaled at roughly 5,000 personnel, divided between military and law enforcement. Their headquarters and bivouacs will have to be scrupulously constructed and maintained to 

avoid any hint of repeating the cholera experience. The lessons of the first mission should be incorporated into their charter, as well as what the international community has learned subsequently in Afghanistan (where the Provincial Reconstruction Teams offer some ideas worth considering).

There is no quick or easy fix to the challenges facing Haiti. But it is a neighbor in desperate need, and if the US can lead an improved UN mission — this time with US personnel — it would be in our interests to help Haiti get back on its feet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Stavridis

A hijacked bus with all passengers held hostage

August 23, 2023

Another tragedy has befallen the Patrick Coach Line Transportation Company as one of its buses was hijacked on Tuesday by criminals operating in the Tibwadòm region. All passengers on board the bus were kidnapped, leaving families gripped by anguish and uncertainty. The bus in question was on its return journey from Port-de-Paix to Port-au-Prince when the incident took place.

As of now, there has been no communication established between the abductors and the families of the hostages, intensifying the worry among loved ones.

Regrettably, this is not the first occurrence where the Patrick Coach Line Transportation Company has been targeted by criminal activities orchestrated by the Tibwadòm gang. These criminals are affiliated with the notorious gang known as “Kokorat San Ras,” which has set up an operation base in the Tibwadòm area, located between Bassin Bleu and Gros-Morne. Additionally, this gang’s members persist in carrying out operations at Croix Périsse, the southern entrance of the city of Gonaïves.

The security situation in the region has raised significant concerns among both authorities and citizens. The actions of these criminals not only have devastating impacts on the lives of ordinary citizens but also disrupt the proper functioning of businesses and essential services, including public transportation.

Yevgeny Prigozhin in fatal plane crash, Russian officials say

août 23, 2023

Notorious warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, known for his role in the Wagner group's failed mutiny, perished in a tragic plane crash during a flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg, as confirmed by Russian officials.

All 10 individuals on board, including three crew members, lost their lives in the accident, stated Russia's emergency ministry, cited by RIA Novosti. While a passenger named Prigozhin was among those on the plane, no further details were provided.

If verified, Prigozhin's demise would mark a dramatic end to his career. After prominently participating in Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion, Prigozhin led his paramilitary force on an unsuccessful march on Moscow in June.

Graphic videos shared on social media linked to Russian security services depicted the crash site in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow. Eight bodies were recovered from the area, and the Russian investigative committee initiated a criminal inquiry. The aviation agency Rosaviatsiya launched a commission to find the plane's black box.

A post from Wagner-affiliated social media channel Grey Zone suggested that Russian anti-aircraft defenses might have downed the aircraft. Local reports mentioned residents hearing two loud bangs prior to the crash.

During the time of the crash report, Putin was attending a WWII commemorative event near the Ukraine border. US President Joe Biden, on vacation, expressed that he was not surprised by the news given the context of Russia.

The US National Security Council and a western official both hinted at the plane potentially being brought down by a Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

Prigozhin, once known as "Putin's chef," rose to prominence in Russia's war efforts before leading a coup against the military leadership in June. While Wagner briefly controlled cities and engaged in clashes, they eventually brokered a truce with Belarus. Prigozhin hinted at Wagner's involvement in African conflicts and his mission to strengthen Russia's influence globally.

The aircraft involved, an Embraer Legacy, had been frequently used by Prigozhin for travel, including to Africa. Investigations were considering the possibility of a terrorist attack onboard as a potential cause for the crash.

Internet down in Haiti after gangs sabotage telecoms equipment

BY THE HAITIAN TIMES AUG. 24, 2023

The Haitian Times

Two major internet service providers in Haiti, Digicel and Access Haiti, are grappling with severe disruptions after gangs sabotaged the companies’ fiber optic lines and other critical equipment. Service technicians meanwhile, the businesses say, are unable to travel safely to make repairs.

Both Digicel and Access Haiti have released public statements addressing the acts of vandalism and sabotage. On Aug. 22, Digicel said, a fiber optic cable was deliberately severed in the Martissant area. Access Haiti issued a note on Aug. 23 saying sabotage of its equipment occurred along the National Road #1 and the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, causing extensive service disruptions.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 2 aout 2023

 U.S. Embassy personnel in Haiti evacuated amid rising violence

American citizens are told to leave ‘as soon as possible’ by commercial or private means as gang fighting eclipses the capital

Karen DeYoung

(Washington Post)

The State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and diplomatic family members from its embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and advised all American citizens to leave the Caribbean nation as soon as possible amid rising gang violence.

The announcement of an “ordered departure” came late Thursday, after a week in which Haitians from the surrounding neighborhood swarmed the area outside the embassy, seeking protection from what the diplomatic mission called “heavy gunfire in the vicinity.” Embassy employees had already been ordered not to leave the U.S. compound “until further notice.”

Armed gangs have taken power in as much as 90 percent of the Haitian capital since the assassination two years ago of President Jovenel Moïse. Even as they contest territory and control of resources with each other, they have engaged in widespread campaigns of killings, rape and displacement of civilians.

Families have been burned out of their homes and left without food and water, a new cholera epidemic threatens, and a U.N. humanitarian campaign has received only a fraction of requested funding for the rest of the year.

Since Moïse’s death, the political chaos that has plagued Haiti for decades has worsened. His replacement, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, called for a multinational force last October to intervene and control the gangs. But the international community has been unable to work out how to form it, and no country has agreed to lead such a mission.

The United States, with its own history of interventions in Haiti, has expressed no interest in spearheading such a force. Hopes that Canada would take the leadalso fell apart.

Meeting with Henry this month during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was “imperative … for the international community to come together in support of Haiti.”

The idea for a multinational police force grew largely out of reluctance to send another U.N. peacekeeping force. An earlier U.N. force, sent to stem the growth of gang violence, was accused of sparking a cholera epidemic and failing to end the anarchy, and was highly unpopular with the Haitian people.

“We are not calling for a military or political mission of the United Nations,” U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said this month after visiting Haiti. “We are calling for a robust security force by member states to work hand-in-hand with the Haitian national police to defeat and dismantle the gangs and restore security across the country.” Civilians are trapped in “a living nightmare,” Guterres also, calling the conditions there “beyond appalling.”

But shortly after those comments, with no agreement on a non-U.N. force in sight, the U.N. Security Council on July 14 unanimously passed a resolution giving Guterres 30 days to report back with an outline of “the full range” of support options that the United Nations can provide, including a “possible peacekeeping operation.”

Such a U.N. force would require a Security Council vote, with no veto from one of the council’s five permanent members. Among them, China indicated skepticism, with Beijing’s U.N. representative instead saying that “all countries” must stop arms trafficking to the gangs and warning against “quick fixes implemented from the outside” that have long failed to deliver long-term results.

U.S. officials have continued to express optimism that some country will emerge to lead a non-U.N. force. “We continue to work with partner nations to identify a lead nation for a police-driven, multinational force,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters last week. “It is urgently needed, as the secretary said. I don’t have any updates … but I do hope to have them in the near future,” Miller said.

The U.N. resolution urgently called on “all Haitian stakeholders” to establish, with help from the United Nations, “a Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political process to permit the organization of free, fair and credible legislative and presidential elections.”

In the meantime, a new force has arisen in Haiti, with civilian vigilantes responding to the lack of security control by forming their own armed groups to combat the gangs.

Arrest of the Alleged Gang Leader of Bizoton while attempting to flee to the United States under the auspices of the Biden Program.

July 27, 2023

In a commendable stride towards combating criminal activities, Haitian law enforcement has achieved a major breakthrough with the announcement of the arrest of the alleged kingpin of the notorious Bizoton gang, Innocent Mackenley.

The operation was executed seamlessly on Wednesday at Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport, where the prominent member of the Ti Bwa gang was intercepted while attempting to flee to the United States under the auspices of the Biden Program.

Under Mackenley’s leadership, the gang had earned notoriety for its violent operations and extensive involvement in a myriad of illicit acts.

With his apprehension, Mackenley is now slated to face the full force of the Haitian judicial system, whereby he will be held accountable for his alleged deeds and subjected to a fair trial in accordance with the rule of law.

This unequivocal measure serves as a robust message to all criminals and active gang factions within the nation: no individual can be deemed exempt from legal repercussions, and those who transgress both societal and legal norms will be compelled to bear the weight of their actions.

US Congress : Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act

Meeks, McCaul, Salazar, Cherfilus-McCormick Issue Statement Following House Passage of Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act

July 25, 2023

Washington, DC – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Michael McCaul, Ranking Member and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Maria Salazar, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick issued the following statement regarding the House passage of H.R. 1684, the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act. The bill would require the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti, and impose sanctions on political and economic elites involved in such criminal activities: 

"Today's bipartisan House passage of H.R. 1684 underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to holding corrupt Haitian political and economic elites accountable for their role in supporting Haiti’s destabilizing gang activity. Pervasive gang violence has exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian and security crises devastating the people of Haiti. In the political insecurity following President Moise’s assassination, criminals in Haiti have sought to profit from the chaos, supporting gangs to enrich themselves and claim more power.  

“The United States must hold these corrupt individuals responsible for their support of criminal behaviors and prohibit their free travel and activities in the United States. This bill authorizes the Secretary of State to sanction corrupt actors who regularly use gangs as a lever of power and requires delivery of regular reports to Congress on Haitian gang activity.   

“This legislative milestone represents significant progress in our efforts to support a Haitian-led resolution to this crisis. By curbing corruption and taking concrete actions against criminal networks, we aim to foster a more stable and hopeful future for Haiti and its people." 

Haiti-Grenadiers are acclaimed despite their defeat

July 23, 2023

During the recent match between the Grenadiers and the English team at the Women’s World Cup, Haiti suffered a 1-0 defeat. Nevertheless, this performance did not go unnoticed, as the glories of world football and international media unanimously praised the Haitian team for their remarkable play, especially that of Melchie Dumornay, nicknamed Corventina.

In a laudatory article, the American newspaper Washington Post highlighted the determination and talent of the Haitian players. Despite the defeat, the team demonstrated an impressive strength of character and level of play, confirming their ability to compete with the best teams in the world.

It is important to emphasize that it was the first match of the Haitian women’s team in the World Cup, making their performance even more remarkable. The players clearly showed that they were not afraid to face the top nations in women’s football.

The Women’s World Cup is currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand, bringing together the best teams in the world in a fierce competition. Despite the result against England, the Grenadiers have proven that they fully deserve their place in this prestigious tournament.

Grenadiers

Programme Biden: Haitians Arriving by the Thousands…

July 27, 2023

Since the beginning of 2023, the Humanitarian Parole Program has been at the forefront of addressing migration challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. This program, established by the United States, aims to provide a humanitarian admission opportunity to individuals facing difficult situations in their home countries.

According to available data, over 63,000 Haitians have been approved to benefit from the Humanitarian Parole Program in the first six months of the year. Among them, more than 50,000 have already successfully reached the United States through this program. These numbers underscore the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, driving a significant portion of its citizens to seek refuge and opportunities elsewhere.

The Humanitarian Parole Program is not exclusive to Haiti. In total, nearly 160,000 citizens from different countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, have also been beneficiaries of this program during the same period. These figures highlight the importance of this initiative in the region and the growing demand for protection and opportunities in the United States.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 19 juillet 2023

 Security Council gives UN chief 30 days to come up with options on how to fight Haiti's armed gangs

Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 12:39 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council asked the secretary-general on Friday to come up with options to help combat Haiti’s armed gangs, including a possible U.N. peacekeeping force and a non-U.N. multinational force.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the council asks U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report back on “a full range” of options within 30 days to improve the security situation, including additional training for the Haitian National Police and providing support to combat illegal arms trafficking to the impoverished Caribbean nation.

It also authorizes up to 70 U.N. police and corrections advisers to scale up support and training for Haiti’s understaffed and underfunded national police force. And it “encourages” countries, especially in the Caribbean region, to respond to appeals from Haiti’s prime minister and from Guterres for the deployment of an international specialized force.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry sent an urgent appeal last October for “the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity” to stop the gangs. However, more than eight months later no country has stepped up to lead such a force.

Guterres, who visited Haiti earlier this month, called last week for a robust international force to help the Haitian National Police “defeat and dismantle the gangs.”

He said the estimate by the U.N. independent expert for Haiti, William O’Neill, that up to 2,000 additional anti-gang police officers are needed is no exaggeration. O’Neill, who concluded a 10-day trip to Haiti this month, is an American lawyer who has been working on Haiti for over 30 years and helped establish the Haitian National Police in 1995.

The gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital. The surge in killings, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups.

Compounding the gang warfare is the country’s political crisis: Haiti was stripped of all democratically elected institutions when the terms of the country’s remaining 10 senators expired in early January.

The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Ecuador, “strongly urges” all countries to prohibit the supply, sale or transfer of weapons to anyone supporting gang violence and criminal activities.

It reiterates the need for all Haitians, with support from the U.N. political mission known as BIHUH, to establish “a Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political process to permit the organization of free, fair and credible legislative and presidential elections.” And it calls on the Haitians “to urgently reach an agreement on a sustainable, time-bound and commonly accepted roadmap for elections.”

The resolution extends BINUH’s mandate until July 15, 2024, and also encourages the mission “to explore options to enhance the Haitian criminal justice sector in order to fight impunity.”

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution an important step to help the Haitian people shape their future and restore democratic order.

But she said, “we must do more,” and urged all 15 council members to join the U.S. in working with BINUH, the Haitian government and the international community to “help the Haitian people secure a more just and peaceful future.”

China’s deputy U.N. ambassador Geng Shuang reiterated Beijing’s position that the most urgent task is to stabilize the security situation and stop the flow of arms, otherwise “no amount of support for the Haitian National Police will make any difference.”

He stressed that the U.N.’s actions in Haiti over some 30 years “have shown that quick fixes implemented from the outside often fail to deliver long-term results that will help Haiti truly emerge from the crisis.”

“The United Nations should fully learn from the past,” Geng said.

RD-HAITI : Esther Dacius apprehended by the Police

July 12, 2023

On the run for fraud, forgery, breach of trust, and association of criminals, a person named Esther Dacius was apprehended by Dominican authorities and subsequently transferred to the National Police of Haiti on Saturday, July 8, 2023, following a warrant and a wanted notice issued against her.

Multiple complaints were filed in 2022 and 2023 with the Bureau of Financial and Economic Affairs against her and her husband, Marckenshy Honoré, for the aforementioned offenses.

Esther Dacius posed as a consul at the Canadian embassy, using fake websites in the name of the embassy to defraud her victims.

Marckenshy Honoré, who was actively sought by the Haitian National Police (PNH), played the role of intermediary and secretary between the victims and his wife.

Currently, Esther Dacius is in police custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Women's World Cup 2023: Haiti's team are 'bringing the light back' after qualifying - BBC Sport

10 July 2023

Women's Football

Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus reflects on her side's World Cup play-off win over Chile

Sign up for notifications to the latest Insight features via the BBC Sport app and find the most recent in the series here.

"Actually, can I ask something?"

Kerly Theus is a 5ft 4in goalkeeper who plays for the Haiti women's national team.

For the last 40 minutes, we have talked about her career, her country, her childhood. We have even touched on the friends she lost in the 2010 earthquake.

But all this time, something has been bubbling up inside of her, a point she has been desperate to get across.

In less than two weeks, Haiti face England, European Champions and second favourites behind the United States to win the tournament, at the Women's World Cup in Brisbane, Australia.

It is Haiti's first ever match at the competition - and for Theus, it will be the biggest of her career.

She also sees it as an opportunity: the fixture that inspires the next generation. 

"Can you quote this in your article, please?" she asks. "'This message is specifically for the girls in Haiti: 'Keep pushing, keep driving and this moment, you'll have it too when it's your time'."

Theus, along with her team-mates, wants to propel her nation into the spotlight. It is her main motivator, all she can think about.

"I've been to tournaments where people said 'Haiti? What's that?'" she adds.

"The World Cup is the biggest stage. Your country, your name is publicised everywhere. 

"We want the world to know about Haiti and the talent we have. Oh, and we want to get past the group stage."

Theus' journey to the World Cup began at the Ranch.

The team's base in Croix-des-Bouquets, one of Port-au-Prince's poorest suburbs, is officially called the Fifa Goal Center, but everybody knows it as 'the Ranch'. 

Back in 2002, the first phase of the training complex opened, boasting an auditorium, administrative office and dormitories for players. 

Today, up to 200 boys and girls aged 14 and above live, train and go to school at the former country mansion. 

Theus arrived there in 2013, at the age of 14.

Initially, it was her sister who was spotted and she tagged along because it was easier than separating them.

"There was no goalkeeper in my age group," she says. "I didn't want to play in goal but I learned the mechanics - how to hold the ball, knowing when to dive, how to dive, things like that.

"It was completely different to playing on the streets. We trained every day, twice a day, no matter what.

"We had practice matches with the boys' team, it made us stronger and faster."

The players at the Ranch grew up together. In recent months, emotionally, they have drawn ever closer.

In November 2020, Yves Jean-Bart, the president of the Haitian Football Federation, was handed a lifetime ban by Fifa for alleged harassment and sexual abuse of multiple underage female footballers at the Ranch and elsewhere.

Fifa's investigation concluded he "threatened and prevented potential victims and witnesses from giving testimony" and "exercised an authoritarian regime".

Photographs from 2021 were also followed by allegations that children at the Ranch were living in unhygienic and unsafe conditions. 

However, in February, Jean-Bart's suspension was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport who found the evidence against him was "inconsistent, unclear and contradictory".

The 75-year-old has strongly denied the allegations since they were first made. Meanwhile, Fifa have filed a rare complaint against Cas' ruling.

None of the three players interviewed for this piece wanted to speak directly about the claims but all mentioned the squad's unity in the face of adversity.

"We can't control what happened but we understand we can control our reaction to it," says midfielder Danielle Etienne.

"We're not shaken by this, we're choosing not to linger on the past or negativity," adds right-back Chelsea Surpris, who spoke to BBC World Service in February.

Theus concludes: "We're tight-knit, most of the team think the same.

"Hey, we're here to show off our talent, show off our skills. Let's let that do the talking."

Haiti were ranked 55th in the world in February, 17 places below Chile

Haiti were one of the last teams to reach the World Cup, upsetting Chile in a play-off in New Zealand in February.

Additional reporting by BBC Sport's Isaac Fanin.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 12 juillet 2023

 
Thousands flood the streets in South Florida to rally for Haiti as kidnappings, violence surge

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Miami Herald

Updated July 09, 2023 6:25 PM

Haitians take to the streets in Port-au-Prince to match for an end to gang violence and kidnappings. The march was organized by Miami pastor Gregory Toussaint, who organized similar marches across the United States and elsewhere.  By Video Courtesy: Johnny Fils-Aime

North Miami

More than 2,000 people filled the streets marching under sweltering heat in North Miami Sunday afternoon to rally in support for the people of Haiti and to protest ongoing gang violence, political instability and corruption.

“We are marching against violence, we are marching against kidnapping,” Anna Dorvilier, 40, from West Palm Beach, yelled waving a sign that read “If we are not on the table, we are on the menu.”

Chanting and singing “Jistis pou Ayiti” and “Souf pou Ayiti” — Creole for “Justice for Haiti” and “Relief for Haiti” — the crowds waved tiny Haitian flags and followed a tractor trailer truck with an elevated platform carrying dignitaries like Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, clergy and musicians 

“We are united for Haiti, and God’s ears are open today,” Levine Cava said. 

Dance and church music boomed over huge speakers towed by the truck and the people in back and ahead of the semi sang along. 

“We want everyone to hear our voices,” said marcher Mana Pierre-Louis, a 31-year-old who moved to South Florida from Haiti seven years ago. “We need a solution to Haiti now.”

The “Relief for Haiti” rally was organized by pastor Gregory Toussaint, senior pastor of Tabernacle of Glory Church in North Miami. Toussaint, who is CEO of Shekinah.fm. The North Miami was among several the pastor organized in major cities across the United States and in Haiti itself. He decided to organize a March after a petition drive to get support for a sanctions bill in congress garnered more than 100,000 signatures in a week. 

Toussaint’s goal was to bring together Haitians in the U.S., Haiti, Canada and France in an effort to bring awareness to the escalating gang violence and kidnappings in the Caribbean country, and demand something be done. 

CARDH : Two years after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse

Two years after the assassination by Colombian mercenaries and former agents of the American secret services, aided by units of presidential security, the Haitian justice system is standing still, alternatively five investigating magistrates who have already been appointed in turn to investigate the case

The first four each had a reason to divest themselves. The last, Walter Wesser Voltaire, whose trial period has expired since 30 October 2022, decides to keep the file, in violation of the law on investigation and in contempt of the prosecutor’s office, jurisdiction of the prosecution for which he is investigating, and the dean, court administrator.

At the same time, the American justice is making great strides in its investigation. Rodolphe Jaar, one of 11 suspects detained in the United States, was sentenced to life imprisonment on 2 June 2023. The trial of the other suspects is scheduled for May 2024.

As a transnational crime and faced with the limits of Haitian justice (political, procedural, security, jurisdictional problems...) further weakened by the investigation of the American justice, another legal system (Common Law) having a large machine to exercise its extraterritorial powers, the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse should be dealt with by a special court or a special chamber for an effective justice. It is an obligation of international cooperation stemming from international morality and solidarity.

 To assist the Haitian authorities and international cooperation in exploring this option, this report presents the six existing hybrid tribunals: i) Extraordinary Chambers of Cambodian Courts; ii) Special Tribunal for Lebanon; iii) Tribunal for Sierra Leone; iv) special African chambers; v) special chambers for Kosovo; vi) special criminal court in the Central African Republic.

 An addition to this document, 15 reports and press releases published by CARDH on the issue are recommended.

S. Communication

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SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS

OPEN SESSION

Briefing by Ms. María Isabel Salvador

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of BINUH

6 July 2023

Madam President,

Distinguished Members of the Council,

Tomorrow, 7 July marks the second anniversary of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The call for those responsible for this heinous crime to be brought to justice, continues. His assassination submerged Haiti into a deeper political crisis which has been exacerbated by an unprecedented breakdown of security, with criminal armed gangs imposing a regime of terror and violence in most parts of Port-au-Prince. This grave situation is compounded by the humanitarian, human rights and socio-economic crises the country is facing.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Comme le Secrétaire-Générale a dit lors de sa récente visite en Haïti : “Il ne peut y avoir de sécurité durable sans un rétablissement des institutions démocratiques – et il est impossible de parvenir à des solutions politiques pérennes et pleinement représentatives sans une amélioration drastique de la situation sécuritaire.”

Since my first briefing to the Council two and a half months ago, some progress has been made on the implementation of the 21 December Agreement, which defines the framework of our engagement with national authorities and other stakeholders.

Within this framework, the High Transitional Council organized a Forum in May which gathered representatives, from across the country, of the political, civil society and private sector, including non-signatories of the 21 December Agreement. The Forum provided an opportunity for all Haitian stakeholders to discuss key issues around constitutional and electoral reforms, good governance and socio-economic issues. The Forum adopted a Joint Declaration including a call for the deployment of a “robust international support to the Haitian National Police”.

As part of the Haitian political dialogue, I want to highlight the initiative of CARICOM, through its Eminent Persons Group, to organize last June a meeting of Haitian stakeholders in Jamaica, which brought together Prime Minister Henry, political parties, and civil society groups.

Upon his return from Jamaica, Prime Minister Henry committed to changes in the cabinet to make it politically more inclusive; to the enlargement of the High Transitional Council; and to expediting the submission of candidates for the Provisional Electoral Council. I hope these commitments soon materialize. Through my good offices I will spare no effort to continue supporting dialogue initiatives on the way forward.

As parties engaged on continuous dialogue, I look forward to the visit to Haiti of CARICOM’s Eminent Persons Group in continued support to furthering inter-Haitian consultations under the auspices of the High Transitional Council. 

The Secretary-General’s solidarity and working visit to Haiti casts the limelight on the imperative of action by Haitians and the international community. The Secretary-General met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the High Transitional Council, a cross section of the political parties and civil society organizations. He impressed upon all the need to move forward with dialogue and his unwavering support for the deployment of a “robust international Force” to assist the Haitian National Police.

Among the people of Haiti, across the entire political spectrum, there is widespread backing for the deployment of such a Force. It is true that the talk of the presence of an international Force in Haiti, could elicit mixed reactions. Similar to what the Secretary-General heard during his visit to Haiti, I too have heard appeals, since my arrival, for international security support. The robust international Force that Haiti needs must complement and strengthen - not replace - the Haitian National Police, in full respect for Haiti’s national sovereignty. 

At the CARICOM Heads of State meeting this week in Trinidad and Tobago, when discussing Haiti, the Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need for a “robust international force authorized by the Security Council” and reiterated his call earlier today

While the political transition and the fight against gangs should remain on separate tracks, the two are inextricably linked. 

Improved security and continuous political dialogue would bring about the possibility to hold elections; a critical step on the path to reestablishing democratic institutions and elected officials at all levels of government. 

The Justice sector continues to face severe challenges, but there are some glimmers of hope, which include the passing of a decree against corruption, money-laundering and illegal arms trade. I am also hopeful by the national authorities’ ongoing efforts on improving the vetting and certification process within the judicial system.

The dire security situation in Haiti has gotten worse since my first briefing to the Council. Violence continues and has intensified, moving beyond Port-au-Prince as noted in the Secretary-General’s report. The appearance of vigilante groups adds another layer of complexity. Since April, BINUH has documented the killing of at least 264 alleged gang members by vigilante groups. 

Sexual violence, including collective rape and mutilation, continues to be used by gangs to terrorize and inflict pain on populations and neighborhoods under the control of rivals. 

 In addition to physical and mental harm, gang violence also has a deep detrimental impact on economic and social rights. Access to education, food, water, sanitation, and healthcare services has been severely limited by gang activity. In areas affected by gang violence, economic activities are periodically - if not permanently - paralyzed.

At the end of June, the UN Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti completed his first visit to the country. I heard directly from him about the dire situation of Human Rights. Of his greatest concern is the inhumane detention conditions and staggering levels of pretrial detention., the wide-spread gender-based violence and the mass deportations of Haitians by some countries.

The humanitarian situation is increasingly grim and likely to deteriorate even further. Today, 5.2 million people, including nearly 3 million children, require urgent humanitarian support and protection.

Haiti has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world, with 4.9 million people suffering from it.

Increased violence in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area has displaced nearly 128,000 people from their homes, prompting an increase in migration. Haiti’s health care system is close to collapse. 

The country also remains highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. In early June, deadly floods, followed by an earthquake, killed 58 people and impacted 45,000 households. 

This situation is exacerbated by soaring inflation and the depreciation of the Haitian Gourde eroding the purchasing power of the population.

Despite the difficult security situation and related constraints, the UN continues to have access to hard-to-reach areas to serve the communities most impacted by the crisis and remains fully mobilized to support all Haitians.

Respected Members of the Security Council,

The Chairperson of the Sanctions Committee as well as the Panel of Experts visited Haiti in June. The Executive Directors of UNICEF and WFP jointly visited the country.

We had also the important visit of Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo last weekend. She had fruitful meetings, including with Government officials, the Director General of Haitian National Police, and women and other civil society groups. 

All these important visits create momentum and general international interest on the complex situation in Haiti.

Madam President, Members of the Council,

As you know, BINUH’s mandate renewal is upon us. I ask for your support in ensuring that BINUH is adequately resourced to effectively and efficiently deliver its mandate and help Haiti out of these crises, while ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel. I want to recognize the courage and commitment of all the national and international personnel of the UN system in Haiti for their work and commitment in such a hostile security environment. 

This is a critical moment, which we cannot afford to waste. This is a time for international solidarity and immediate action.  Je vous remercie.