URGENT ACTION

PROTESTERS AT CONTINUED RISK 
On 9 and 10 June, thousands of Haitians marched in Port-au-Prince against corruption and poverty, some calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse. Amidst reports of excess use of force by the police, and ongoing protests, we call on the President of Haiti to guarantee the right to freedom of expression and assembly, to promptly investigate alleged human rights abuses, and bring those responsible to justice.

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

President Jovenel Moïse
1, Rue de la République
Palais National
Port-au-Prince. Haiti.1, Rue de la République
Palais National
Port-au-Prince
Haiti
Email: nahomme.dorvil@presidence.ht 

Dear Mr. President,

As demonstrations continue in Haiti, we call on your government to guarantee the right to freedom of expression and assembly of those protesting.

We are deeply concerned by reports of human rights violations, including alleged extrajudicial executions, by the National Police and Security Unit of the National Palace in the context of the protests on 9 and 10 June. The reported killing of a radio journalist on 10 June is a threat to freedom of expression.

We also welcome the prompt opening of an investigation by the National Police, after a video emerged on social media which appeared to show men dressed in Haitian police uniforms stoning a man lying on the floor. 

We call on your government to ensure that police restrain from using excess force, insist that authorities promptly investigate all allegations of human rights violations, and bring those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice.

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

On 9 and 10 June, thousands of Haitians took to the streets of Port-au-Prince to demonstrate against poverty, corruption, and to call for the resignation of the President. The current round of protests was sparked after further independent reports implicate senior officials in the diversion of billions of dollars in proceeds from oil provided to Haiti by Venezuela on favourable terms.
After similar protests in February 2019, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that at least 41 people died and 100 were injured.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 2.6 million people need humanitarian assistance in 2019, amidst an increase in the price of petroleum and food in 2018, and rising inflation.

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

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 12 July 2019
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: Haiti Protesters (they, them, theirs).

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: n/a

Additional TARGETS

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 Email: info.haitiuk@diplomatie.ht Please check with your section before sending appeals after the above date.