To the population in general and more particularly all those who have followed the conflict opposing the Ouanaminthe CODEVI workers’ union (SOCOWA), the Batay Ouvriye May First Union Federation (ESPM-BO) and the company itself, we are sending to the press a copy of the verdict sentenced at the Fort-Liberté tribunal by Judge Joseph Alfred MANIGAT. The judgment opposed two workers (Mr. Phélicien MICHEL and Mrs. Louna ELFRAUS) who were mistreated by the Dominican army, against the head security officer of the free trade zone (Mr. Alex CORONA) and the company in the name of which he so acted, CODEVI itself.

As indicated by the tribunal’s document, it is with stick and rifle butt blows the head security officer hit the workers, during work hours and as workers, Mrs. Elfraus being in full pregnancy! Left on the floor and soaking in their blood, furthermore according to the sentence, it is indeed the company that had solicited such a behavior from their head security agent. Judge Manigat’s verdict thus gives full reason to the workers. It demands for Alex Corona to undergo three years of imprisonment and for the company to pay one million gourdes of damage to each worker.

When we consider the way in which Haitian management, then through their association of industrialists - ADIH -, their columnists and economists all went in the same orientation reacting in the conflict, defending tooth and nail the Dominican capitalist against the Haitian workers, even when a truth was largely proved, arguing then – and up to today – that Batay Ouvriye’s denunciations were mere lies! When we remember the unjust and humiliating treatments incurred against Haitian workers!... We rejoice that the illegally fired workers’ final reinstatement and the collective work convention they are presently negotiating gives us perfect reason, just as did the report of the delegation of the Union of Haitian Physicians concerning the non-understandable doses of “two flasks” vaccines! Now, the various cases in justice are exposed in broad daylight. As was the case for Mr. Evens ORÉLUS, a Haitian security agent who was severely beaten by Dominican guards because he had dared to denounce the stealing of goats through the free trade zone and, more recently therefore, the case of these two workers we have mentioned.

Nevertheless, despite all the evidence displayed, maneuvers are taking place to spare the company! Indeed, the workers’ lawyers have recently learned that, following the sentence’s announcement, Judge Manigat received pressure from the Ministry of Justice. CODEVI management is asking for the Latortue government to intervene in this case through its Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Fritz KÉNOL, as head of the free trade zones commission in this country. Thus despite the irrefutability of the proofs presented, despite overwhelming testimonies, the Minister of Justice has sent a letter to Judge Manigat, reprimanding him for the sentence emitted. What is the meaning of such interference? Is it to frighten the magistrate? Is it in the intention of overruling the judgment? … Before all of these questions, we, at Batay Ouvriye, have decided to render PUBLIC this case, in order for the entire world to see clearly through the government’s endeavor. For we ask ourselves: WHEN FINALLY WILL THE WORKERS BE ABLE TO OBTAIN JUSTICE AGAINST THE BOURGEOIS OF THIS COUNTRY?

At Batay Ouvriye, we have always denounced the Haitian bourgeois’ abuses against the workers in the assembly industry, while several of their political representatives were shooting away concerning a supposed “new social contract”. And we had, in the same way, anticipated that, given the specific conditions of the free trade zone, in this atmosphere, the situation could only get worse. The facts have given us reason. Thus, each will judge.

Today, knowing already its preceding role, we denounce this government while demanding for it to respect the law and not intervene in a sentence already given, in the non-dissimulated intention of pleasing its friends. IT IS TIME FOR THIS PERNICIOUS INTERVENING AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL TO END WITHIN JUSTICE! And, while hoping that this note will incite those who feel they have a responsibility with regard to the miseries and suffering endured by the Haitian workers to demonstrate as well, we confirm: