Advocates of Released Political Prisoner, Fr. Jean-Juste, Return from Haiti.
Delegate Meets with Gang Leaders in Cite Sole.

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton was accompanied by 5 parishioners from St. Leo's Parish (Detroit, MI), and photojournalist, Linda Panetta (Phila., PA) during a recent trip to Haiti. The purpose of the delegation was to offer support and strengthen relationships with their twin Parish, St. Jerome, in Petit Riviere, and to advocate for the rights of all Haitians.

On Monday, November 29, the delegation visited the charismatic political prisoner, Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste of St. Claire's Parish (Delmas). Fr. Jean-Juste was arrested by Haitian police and hooded thugs while handing out food to hundreds of children. He was released from prison a few hours after the visit with the delegation when the judge declared that there was no legitimacy to his arrest. As news of his release quickly spread, hundreds of parishioners from St. Claire's Church, his US-based lawyer-William Quigley (Loyola Univ. Law School), and others took to the streets to celebrate his release.

The following day delegates joined a prayerful and celebratory procession through the streets of Delmas, which concluded with Fr. Jean-Juste reenacting the brutal ordeal of his arrest (for more information on Fr. Jean-Juste's case visit: www.OpticalRealities.org), as well as a press conference. Later that day hundreds attended Mass at St. Claire's, which was celebrated by Bishop Gumbleton and retired Bishop Walter Sullivan (Richmond, VA) to give thanks for Fr. Jean-Juste's safe return.

The delegation attempted to visit other political prisoners at Pention Ville and the State Penitentiary, including Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, but were turned away. That evening prisoners protested the severe brutality perpetrated by guards, the inhumane condition of the prisons, and the alleged "disappearance" of political prisoners. The Haitian police retaliated by opening fire on inmates, killing several.

On Wednesday, December 1, delegates were able to visit with prisoners at the "Anti-Gang" Prison. Inmates are detained here before being taken to the larger penitentiaries. They were astounded to find children as young as 13 years of age in severely overcrowded cells with adults. Most told the same story of being rounded up on the streets by either hooded armed actors, or Haitian police who gave no explanation, nor a warrant for their arrest.

Just a few blocks from the prison, delegates visited the state hospital and briefly met with 2 of 15 children from Lycee Petion School who had been shot by Haitian policemen. The police were allegedly disbursing an angry crowd that had been protesting in front of the Presidential Palace during a visit by US Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

Repression is wide-spread throughout Haiti, especially against Lavalas party-supporters, those who voice opposition to the interim government, and against those who offer support for the poor. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in Cite Sole - one of the most infamous slums in Haiti. Violent gunfights between warring factions and alleged acts of brutality perpetrated by gang leaders have prevented much needed aid from entering the city, sent thousands fleeing Cite Sole, and offered the UN troops an excuse to steer clear of the region. But interviews with gang leaders in the Lavalas-supported regions reveal a strong desire for peace. In fact, gang leader "Dread" Wilmey, pleaded with us to do what we could to bring UN troops into Cite Sole to help stabilize the situation and bring about peace.

The delegation will be pressing demands to end the repression of political parties and the release of all political prisoners; they will appeal for a dramatic increase of UN troops, especially in areas afflicted with the greatest levels of violence, and the recognition of human rights for all Haitians. Contact Linda Panetta for photos from Cite Sole.