The Independent and Self-governing Trade Union "Solidarnosc”, which represents over 1 million workers in Poland, is writing to you again to express our deep concern at the treatment of nine people, including six trade unionists (see annexe), held illegally at the National Penitentiary and National Fort.

According to information we have received, the arrests took place in totally illegal circumstances on 27th May, following some extremely serious events in the commune of Saint-Raphaël. On the day in question, some trade unionists from the Batay Ouvriye union had come to demonstrate their support for the members of the Workers’ Union of Guacimal Saint-Raphaël (SOGS) in their dispute with a plantation manager. Accordingly to our sources, the police did nothing to prevent the confrontation between the two parties to the dispute, although it had been foreseeable. This lax approach and complicity by the police effectively led to the deaths of two trade unionists (see annexe), whose bodies were brutally mutilated, and the injuries, some of which were serious, to many people. Many trade unionists, together with the public transport drivers who had driven them to the event and two journalists, were then imprisoned in various houses to which they had been forcibly moved by the police, ostensibly for their own protection. During these incidents, the houses of Sintès Estime, General Secretary of the SOGS, and Miralès Saint Fleur, a member of the union, were also set on fire.

A more detailed investigation has led the NSZZ „Solidarnosc” to make a very disturbing discovery concerning your government’s role in this affair. It has transpired that the detained people were transferred totally illegally from the commune of Saint-Raphaël to Port-au-Prince, without any respect of their rights to defence. As we understand it, the transfer procedure was not respected and the authorities did not receive any detention order. The detention of the trade unionists has been prolonged with no justification, whereas the two journalists, arrested at the same time, were released following pressure from professional journalists’ associations. What is more, the imprisoned people have not been allowed visitors, despite the fact that some are elderly. It would also seem that some have been ill-treated and that no medical care has been provided to the detained people, most of whom were seriously injured during the brawl. Indeed, two of the prisoners, Urbain Garçon, one of whose legs might be broken, and Jeremie Dorvil, who has continually being spitting blood after receiving blows to the chest, are in urgent need of care.

 

Lastly, the fact that Mario Dupuy, the Communications Minister, has labelled this group of workers as terrorists and looters, though they were simply calling for better working conditions and the honouring of oral commitments, is part of an misinformation campaign which, we are told, is aimed at showing investors that the government is determined to protect their interests at any cost, not least in the EPZs.

Mr President, NSZZ “Solidarnosc” condemns your government’s attitude in this affair in the strongest possible terms. The government is not only flouting the country’s own Constitution and laws but also the international conventions on human rights to which Haiti is a signatory. We must repeat that the institution of a repressive policy towards trade unionists will do nothing to improve the image of your government and attract investors. Only dialogue and respect for human rights can ensure the kind of harmonious situation that will promote sustainable and beneficial investment. Moreover, it is quite intolerable that people should be imprisoned without any charge being brought against them.

For all those reasons, we are calling for the immediate release of the imprisoned trade unionists and of the public transport drivers who are with them, and we would ask you to ensure that they receive medical care as soon as possible. We also demand that all violence by your government against trade unionists cease.

We would further ask you to provide for the safe return of the trade unionists to their homes and ensure that the trade activities provided for in ILO conventions 87 and 98 can be pursued once again in the Guacimal plantation.

We look forward to a positive reaction from your government and the immediate release of the illegally imprisoned trade unionists.

Yours sincerely,

Marian Krzaklewski

President