International Alliance for Justice for Jean Dominique

15 June 2001

Dear President Aristide,

The membership of the International Alliance for Justice for Jean Dominique deplores the recent developments at this crucial juncture in the Jean Dominique case.

Of particular concern are the lax security conditions that have led to the resignation of Judge Claudy Gassant.

Additionally, Senator Dany Toussaint, a leading figure in your political party and an individual consistently referenced as a possible suspect in Jean Dominique’s murder, is reportedly now proceeding with highly unorthodox activities including the questioning of incarcerated witnesses in the Dominique case. Senator Toussaint’s ability to engage in such behaviour with apparent impunity is clearly a source of serious concern with regard to the administration of justice by your government in Haiti.

We join Reporters Sans Frontières (letter to Minister of Justice Gary Lissade, 12 June) and Civil Society Organizations of Haiti (open letter, 8 June) in reminding the Haitian government of its sacred duty to ensure the safe and independent consideration of Judge Gassant’s report and the swift implementation of the conclusions delivered.

The Alliance deeply regrets that you have not yet had occasion to reply to our urgent communiqués of May 14 and April 25. As stated in the recent open letter from Haitian Civil Society Organizations dated 8 June 2001, ‘The eyes of all Haiti and of the entire world are watching you.’ The demand of this international audience is for absolute justice.

Respectfully yours,

cc:

Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, S.E Jean Marie Chérestal

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Republic of Haiti,

S.E Joseph Philippe Antonio

Minister for Justice and Public Safety of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. Gary Lissade

Judge d’Instruction Tribunal Civil de Port au Prince, Judge Claudy Gassant,

President of The United States of America, The Honorable Mr. George W. Bush

Secretary of State of The United States of America, The Honorable Colin L. Powell

US Ambassador to Haiti, Mr. Brian Dean Curran

Prime Minister of France, Mr. Lionel Jospin

Foreign Minister of France, Mr. Hubert Vedrine

French Ambassador to Haiti, S.E Yves Gaudeul

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, The Rt Hon. Tony Blair

Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, The Rt Hon. Robin Cook

UK Ambassador to Haiti, Mr. D.G. Ward

Secretary-General, United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan

Executive Director of Amnesty International, Mr. Bill Schulz

Chairman of Human Rights Watch, Mr. Jonathan Fanton

Secretary General of Reporters Sans Frontières, Mr. Robert Menard

Editor in Chief of Index on Censorship (UK), Ms. Ursula Owen

Assistant Director General of UNESCO Programme for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace, Mr. Alain Modoux

Executive Director of National Coalition for Haitian Rights, Mr. Jocelyn McCalla

Executive Director of The Committee to Protect Journalists, Ms. Ann Kooper

Ana Arana, The Inter-American Press Association

Membership of the International Alliance for Justice for Jean Dominique

PEN American Center

Michael Tigar Esq.

Ramsey Clark Esq.

Word version of this letter