In the Army's Hands Human Rights in Haiti on the Eve of the Elections EMBARGOED FOR DECEMBER 9 1990 Americas Watch National Coalition for Haitian Refugees In the Army's Hands Human Rights in Haiti on the Eve of the Elections December 1990 National Coalition for Haitian Refugees Americas Watch Copyright (c) December 1990 by Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN 0-929692-80-2 Libarary of Congress Catalogue Number: 90-86195 National Coalition for Haitian Refugees The National Coalition for Haitian Refugees is comprised of 47 legal, human rights, civil rights, church, labor and Haitian community organizations working together to seek justice for Haitian refugees in the United States and to monitor and promote human rights in Haiti. Its Executive Director is Jocelyn McCalla and its Associate Director is Anne Fuller. Americas Watch Americas Watch was established in 1981 to monitor and promote observance of internationally recognized human rights in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Chairman of Americas Watch is Adrian W. DeWind; Vice Chairmen are Peter Bell and Steven Kass; Executive Director is Juan E. Méndez; Associate Directors are Cynthia Arnson and Anne Manuel; Research Associate is Mary Jane Camejo. Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch is composed of the five Watch Committees: Africa Watch, Americas Watch, Asia Watch, Helsinki Watch, and Middle East Watch. Executive Committee: Chairman, Robert L. Bernstein; Vice Chairman, Adrian W. DeWind; Roland Algrant; Lisa Anderson; Peter Bell; William Carmichael, Dorothy Cullman; Jonathan Fanton; Jack Greenberg; Alice H. Henkin; Stephen Kass; Marina Kaufman; Jeri Laber; Gara LaMarche; Aryeh Neier; Bruce Rabb; Kenneth Roth; Orville Schell; Sophie C. Silberberg; Gary Sick; Nadine Strossen. Staff: Executive Director, Aryeh Neier; Deputy Director, Kenneth Roth; Washington Director, Holly J. Burkhalter; California Director, Ellen Lutz; Press Director, Susan Osnos; Counsel, Jemera Rone; Business Manager, Stephanie Steele; Women's Rights Project Director, Dorothy Q. Thomas; Prison Project Director, Joanna Weschler; Research Associate, Allyson Collins; Orville Schell Fellows, Richard Dicker, Robert Kushen, Dina PoKempner. Executive Directors: Africa Watch Americas Watch Asia Watch Rakiya Omaar Juan E. Méndez Sidney Jones Helsinki Watch Middle East Watch Jeri Laber Andrew Whitley Copies of this report are available for $10.00 from: Publications Department OR Human Rights Watch National Coalition for Haitian Refugees 485 Fifth Avenue 16 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017-6104 New York, NY 10017 (212) 872-8400 (212) 867-0020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments..................................................................................................................................................x INTRODUCTION................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 111 The Blossoming of Civil Society in Post-Duvalier Haiti.........................................................................................................................3 Meetings Banned..............................................................................................................................5 U.S. Policy................................................................................................................................................6 PEASANT ORGANIZATIONSORGANIZATIONS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9.......999 Tèt Kole ..................................................................................................................................................10 Northwest..............................................................................................................................................11 North........................................................................................................................................................16 Northeast..............................................................................................................................................18 Artibonite..............................................................................................................................................19 Papaye Peasant Movement......................................................................................................19 Other Peasant Organizations..................................................................................................23 RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND GROUPSGROUPS.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................27272727 Mennonite Central Committee...............................................................................................27 Ecumenical Mutual Aid Service............................................................................................29 Caritas...................................................................................................................................................32 Little Brothers of the Incarnation........................................................................................33 Christian Community Development of Haiti.................................................................34 Cooperation and Integrated Development Society ...............................................................................................................35 Inter-Aide.............................................................................................................................................35 American Friends Services Committee..........................................................................35 COMMUNITY AND POPULAR ORGANIZATIONSORGANIZATIONS.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 373737 Kòmilfo...................................................................................................................................................37 People's Movement of Mare Rouge....................................................................................39 Popular Organization for the Defense of the Interests of Petit Goâve...............................................................................................41 Popular Committee of Léogâne.............................................................................................41 Orgnanization for the Change and Relief Island of La Gonâve....................................................................................................................42 Balan Honor and Respect Movement................................................................................43 Organization of Community Groups of the Sacre Coeur Parish....................................................................................................................43 Les Cayes People's Unity Movement.................................................................................43 Union of Camp Perrin Organizations..................................................................................44 Committee to Defend the Interests of the Southeast..................................................................................................................................44 Organization to Defend the Interests of Marigot.........................................................................................................................................45 Jacmel Neighborhood Committees ...................................................................................45 WOMWOMEN'SEN'S ORGANIZATIONS ................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47...474747 Haitian Women's Solidarity......................................................................................................47 Determined Women.....................................................................................................................49 Women's Movement of Grand Goâve ................................................................................50 YOUTH GROUPSGROUPS.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................