HAITI -- POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Members of an opposition party reported that they were attacked by a group of armed men as

they handed out pamphlets in Port-au-Prince on 29 March. On 28 March, outside the capital, a

candidate from another opposition party and his wife were reportedly shot dead by unidentified

assailants in what their party leaders claimed were political killings. On 27 March demonstrators,

some of whom claimed ties to the Fanmi Lavalas party, set fire to tyres at barricades around Port-au-

Prince. The central market was burnt and four people were reportedly killed.

Amnesty International reminds the Haitian government of its obligations under domestic and

international law to ensure safety for its citizens. The organisation is concerned about reports of

insufficient response by police during the disturbances. It calls on the Haitian National Police to carry

out its duty to safeguard public security in a professional and impartial manner.

The organisation urges leaders of political parties to ensure that they and their partisans

refrain from using violence in pursuing their political objectives, so that the electoral process

currently underway can proceed in an open, transparent and peaceful manner.