URGENT ACTION

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER FEARS FOR SAFETY  
On 26 April, two unknown men on motorbikes, presumably belonging to a local gang, circled the office of Pierre Espérance, a prominent Haitian human rights defender, in Port-au-Prince. He reported that different sources advised him about recent death threats made against him and stated that the police were aware of them. Pierre Espérance received previous threats in 2018, and in 2014 when a letter containing a gun bullet was sent to the organization’s offices. We demand that the Haitian authorities provide him with effective protection according to his wishes and that authorities immediately and independently investigate these threats.

TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

M. Jean Roudy Aly 
Minister of Justice and Public Security of Haiti
18 Avenue Charles Summer, 
Port-au-Prince, Haiti 
Email: rudly@yahoo.com 

Dear Mr. Minister,

I write to you to raise my concern about the safety of Mr. Pierre Espérance, human rights defender and Executive Director of the National Human Rights Defence Network (Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains, RNDDH).

On April 26, unknown men on motorbikes, presumably belonging to a local gang circled his office in Port-au-Prince. He reported that different sources advised him about death threats made against him and that the police were aware of them. Pierre Espérance received previous threats in 2018, and in 2014 when a letter containing a gun bullet was sent to his offices. 

I therefore demand that your office, along with the National Police of Haiti, fulfil their obligation to protect Pierre Espérance in accordance with his wishes. I also demand an immediate and independent investigation to prosecute those responsible for the recent threats and intimidation against him.

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

In recent months, the National Human Rights Defence Network (Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains, RNDDH), organization led by Pierre Espérance, released reports on the killings of at least 71 people in La Saline slump occurred on 13 November 2018. RNDDH alleged that the killings were carried out by armed gangs with the complicity of the state.
The organization also released a report on the human rights violations committed during the past February protests in Haiti, organized after information surfaced that senior officials were implicated in the diversion of billions of dollars in proceeds from oil provided to Haiti by Venezuela. The RNDDH found that at least 40 people were killed, including 17 from bullets to the head. In March, the UN High Commissioner stated that they documented 41 deaths and 100 injuries in the context of the protests.
In early May 2019, the RNDDH issued another report which detailed the loss of lives of police and community members and attributed the killings principally to gang members.
In accordance with the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, authorities in Haiti must fulfil their obligation to protect human rights defenders and to fully investigate attacks against them and bring those responsible to justice. They also have the duty to guarantee that human rights defenders can carry out their work without fear of reprisals.

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: French; English.
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 27 June 2019 
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: Pierre Espérance (He/Him/His)

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/4000/amr360092014en.pdf

Additional TARGETS

And copies to: 

National Network for the defence of human rights
RNDDH 
9, rue Rivière 
Port-au-Prince, Haïti 
Email: rnddh@rnddh.org 

Director-General of the National Police of Haiti
M. Michel-Ange GÉDÉON
Directeur Général de la Police Nationale d’Haiti
20, Angle Rue Ddarguin et Grégoire, Pétion-Ville,
Port-au-Prince, Haiti 
Email: godore68@hotmail.com 
Salutation: Dear Director-General

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Mr Laurent Pierre Prosper, Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, 21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH, 0203 771 1427, info.haitiuk@diplomatie.ht Please check with your section before sending appeals after the above date.

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE

For the Ministry of Justice: Twitter - @MJSPHaiti
For the National Police: Twitter – @pnh_officiel ‏
For the Director-General of the National Police:
Twitter - @DG_PNH ‏

Suggested tweet in French, English and Spanish:

Pierre Espérance est un défenseur des droits humains haïtien courageux qui a été menacé pour son travail. DG_PNH @pnh_officiel @MJSPHaïti doit lui assurer une protection immédiate et efficace et ouvrir rapidement une enquête sur les menaces et intimidations dont il est victime.

Pierre Espérance is a #Brave Haitian human rights defender. He was recently threatened for his work. I demand that @DG_PNH @pnh_officiel @MJSPHaiti a) provide him immediate effective protection and b) start a prompt investigation of the threats and intimidation against him!

Pierre Espérance es un valiente defensor de los derechos humanos haitiano que ha sido amenazado por su trabajo. @DG_PNH @pnh_officiel @MJSPHaiti debe darle protección inmediata y efectiva, e iniciar una rápida investigación de las amenazas e intimidación contra él.