Human rights activists protest priest's arrest in Haiti

[Judi Lynn]

Human rights activists protest priest's arrest in Haiti

By Amy Bracken
The Associated Press
Posted October 15 2004

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti · The arrest of a Catholic priest drew criticism from human rights groups Thursday, who charged that the U.S.-backed government was illegally trying to suppress support for ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

But Haiti's justice minister defended the detentions of scores of people as necessary to curb a recent wave of violence that has killed at least 48 people.

Human rights activists condemned Wednesday's detention of the Rev. Gerard Jean-Juste on suspicion of organizing meetings of pro-Aristide street gang leaders. Police said he was detained at Saint Claire Church by a squad of masked officers.

"Arbitrary, strong-arm measures are being used by the government to suppress dissent," said Jocelyn McCalla, executive director of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights in New York.
(snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/miami/sfl-ahaiti15oct15,0,3652988.story?coll=sfla-news-miami

[struggle4progress]

1. kick for the "ownership society" arresting the advocates of the poor

:kick: