These are the journal entries of my weekend in Washington, D.C. for the Haitian Tribunal and the Anti-War March on September 23-September 25, 2005. Thanks to all of you who waited with anticipation and curiosity for them.
Friday September 23, 2005
So I’m on my way to D.C. I’m still a little nervous. I try to remind myself that this is a growing experience for me. It is necessary that I push myself to be more independent. I’ve gotten lazy in that area of my life. I’m not sure what to expect beyond the itinerary I’ve set for myself. Our bus was late leaving. We were waiting for someone. We left at 1:15pm instead of 12:30pm. I’m hoping we won’t be late. We’ve been on the bus for a while. I’ve been sleeping off and on. Not so much from being sleepy as I am bored. I didn’t bring anything to read. I wish I’d come with someone. Most of the people on this trip are with family or friends. I feel silly and lonesome. I keep listening to the radio, looking for stations like the non-commercial ones I’ve gotten used to listening to. I hope I’m able to make friends.
6:42pm
I’m back on the bus after our break in Maryland. I was worried about what I would eat on this trip having just come out of the rest area and seeing the usual fair of fast food. The fruit in the market place looked bad. They only had bananas and apples. I was hoping for a nice soup or a piece of bread. I didn’t put any real food in my bag. I was worried about missing the bus. Now all I can think about is the yellow rice, the Boca barbecue chicken and spinach in my refrigerator.
I’ve met Kim Ives mother. He is a writer and editor with the newspaper, Haiti Progres. Kim is one of the host of the radio program, “Haiti: The Struggle Continues.” The show can be heard on WBAI in New York City. That’s how I found out about the tribunal.
Kim’s mom approached me when I was sitting on a bench having a banana. She asked me if I was traveling alone. When I said yes she commented on how brave I was. She asked me if I’ve met Kim. I tell her no, but that I looked up his biography. I ask her what’s his interest is in the struggle of the people of Haiti. In my head I’m thinking he is white, he is an American and yet it seems that he is very invested in their cause. She tells me that he is her son. She explains that she married a Haitian man and they raised their children together. This is not what I was expecting her to say. I’m intrigued.
I tell her I’m married to a man with Haitian roots. I tell her that we have an elderly family member who is not a citizen of the United States, who must return to Haiti in a few weeks. The idea of this is frightening to me.
We share the same concern for the people of Haiti, as the elections get closer. We know that they will be subjected to more violence torture and murder. “You know who is backing one of the candidates?” She asks. When I reply “Our president,” she seems surprised that I know this. I know this may seem unusual to her, but why come to an event like this and be uninformed. I came to learn more. I’ve also become quite a political junkie, taking in my daily dose of articles from various websites; magazines and alternative talk radio as well as the conservative shows.
I tell her I’m on the trip to write about the tribunal and the demonstration. She profiles many of the groups that have come on this trip. They are mostly artist and activist like myself. I tell her I would like to get her contact information to talk more with her.
When we get back on the bus, we see the film “Bitter Cane.” The film is about 20 years old, but it gives a pretty good background on the situation in Haiti in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Factory and sugar cane workers told the story. It was a decent primer on Haitian history from slavery to the revolution, to American- occupation at the turn of the century. The film takes the viewer to the crisis of Haitians leaving on boats and arriving in Florida both dead and alive. It concludes with demonstrations in Brooklyn against the human rights violations in Haiti.
A young woman behind me complains to someone else on the bus, “Why did they put this on, it’s really old.” It blows my mind how she can be on this bus trip and say what she has said. Does she not see the relevancy of the film to the tribunal? I’ve just heard her (and so have all of us sitting in the seats around her) talk about her relationship with a woman for about an hour and then her relationship with a black man. Although not the same struggle, the life depicted in the film and the life she described are lives on the periphery. It is a shame that the connections were not obvious to her. Why did she come on this trip? I refrain from saying anything. My patience with people who appear to be or want to be progressive is wearing thin these days. I remind myself that everyone is a learner, no matter where they are in life.
7:45 pm
The International Haitian Tribunal
I thought we might not be able to get into the event, but they were waiting for us. Kim Ives greeted our bus.
Kim said he needed jurors and asked for volunteers. I volunteered. We were ushered into a side door and seated in the section with signs on the seats that read, reserved for jury. I came to this event because I knew it would be historic. It never occurred to me that this was not a mock trial. This was for real. I wanted the experience, but took my seat anxiously. I became concerned about the things I would hear and see. I had known about the massacre that took place in February of 2005 and April 2005, but avoided viewing any photos posted on the web.
The judicial procedure used a combination of the Anglo-Saxon and Napoleonic system. The presiding judges were Ben Dupuy (former Haitian Ambassador at Large), Brian Concannon and Lucie Tondreau. The investigating judge/prosecutor was Desiree Welborn Wayne. Kim Ives was the assistant prosecutor. The duty of the jury was to bring an indictment against the defendants based on the evidence and conclusions of the reporter and prosecutor. We were told by one of the presiding judges that the defendants were offered an opportunity to appear before the court and had not responded. Most of the jury consisted of people who came on the buses from Queens and Brooklyn, New York and New Jersey. All the jurists were black and many if not most were Haitian or have Haitian descent.
Since this was the first session of the tribunal, the jury was
Was asked to look specifically at defendants Leon Charles, former Director General, Police Nationale d’Haiti (Also known as the PNH). He was also a member or former member of the police. Juan Gabriel Valdes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Chile. As a United Nations officer, he is accused of condoning or failing to prevent violence in Haiti before and during occupation. He is also accused of failing to prevent assaults on innocent Haitian civilians and unarmed persons not participating in active hostilities.
Another defendant was mentioned, but I could not recall his name.
The defendants mentioned here, are the first group to be bought before the tribunal. Eighteen other names appear on the indictment with others to be added as investigations continue. The charges also include, violating the Penal Code of Haiti, Laws of the Haitian National Police and the Constitution of the Republic of Haiti, crimes against humanity in a systematic attack against the civilian population including rape, other forms of sexual violence torture, murder and causing great suffering, mental and physical injury to the civilians not actively participating in hostilities. Other charges include violations of the 1949 Geneva Protocols, violating the American Convention on Human Rights and American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. The Latin America Solidarity Coalition put the full indictment and exhibits paper together.
Many of the Haitian citizens who gave testimony did so on video. The videos were excerpts of documentaries from various journalists and documentary filmmakers. When interviewed some did not reveal their names, while others did not want to appear on camera. Others cried and gave their stories in view of their dead husbands, wives, children and neighbors of the suffering they endure daily. Some displayed a grief beyond words or appeared numb while recounting their stories. Listening to their stories one could see that bravery and courage is in the ability to exist in the most horrifying circumstances without slitting your wrist. I commend all those who take on the humanitarian work of any group of people in need. The journalists, lawyers and investigators and graduate students can experience the anguish and horror for periods of time. They can come and go. However, the Haitian people live this life everyday.
The impressive evidence gathered by everyone from graduate students to the investigative reporters and various officials were overwhelming.
The bravery of the Haitian journalist and the international journalists was unbelievable. They were the ones getting the story of the people out to the world literally under the gun. The film and photographs presented into evidence were shocking and disturbing. It was equally alarming, but not surprising to see who was being accused.
Canadian investigative journalist of Quebec, Eve England, told us about the Ottawa Initiative on Haiti. It was a meeting held in January 2003. Denis Paradis, the Canadian Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa and the French speaking world, American officials of the State Department and French government met to discuss the future of Haiti. According to Mr. England no Haitian representatives were present at this meeting. The meeting concluded after three days with the committee planning to over throw the Haitian government.
According to the Latin American Solidarity Coalition-International Tribunal on Haiti Exhibit, background evidence demonstrates that the United States was instrumental in creating a political aid campaign that would actually undermine the elected government of Aristide. An organization known as the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (“IFES”), which shares its role with the National Democratic Institute, was created to support organizations implanted throughout foreign governments to undermine their activities and favor policies beneficial to the United States.
Ira Kurzban was the attorney representing the democratically elected government under President Aristide. His testimony showed how the United States officials were instrumental in the breakdown of the Haitian government including President Jimmy Cater who tried to discourage Aristide from taking office. Aristide was the first democratically elected official by obtaining over 85% of the popular vote in 1990. His policies of social justice were backed by the poor, but not by the small elite class that supported the military coup in 1991.
When Aristide was exiled the poor were left to defend themselves against the military, the police, gangs in opposition to Aristide supporters. Their demonstrations for democracy and the return of their leader were met with violence. This caused many of the students, organizations supporting the peasant population, social activists and journalists to be targets by the military. Haitians were killed in mass for resisting while others who could get away fled by boat.
He continued to say that; The World Bank, European Union and the United States among other financial organizations economically undermined Haiti. Even though the country was not receiving any funds at this time (a tactic known as the slow motion coup) the military received handguns among other weapons without interruption.
Ira Kurzban’s observation as a witness included the statement that the coup in February of 2004 was what Collin Powell and Dick Cheney started and did not finish in 1991.
Tom Griffin is an attorney and human rights investigator. He was the led investigator with information provided by Judy DaCruz, an attorney based in Haiti. It was through her contacts that Griffin was led to areas in need of investigation. He presented his findings from investigations in Cite Soleil. His reports take place after the September 30, 2004 demonstration where police fired on unarmed citizens. He found a city with no electricity, enforced curfew and workers at the morgue with over 1000 bodies dumped. They were mostly young men with their hands tied behind their backs and black hoods over their heads. He presented photos as evidence. In one of the photos, we are shown a field in Cite Soleil where bodies had been dumped and burned. Mr. Griffin reported that wild pigs were on site eating from the bones. In another photo, a human jaw is shown in the middle of a field.
In his investigations he noted that the UN patrols were mostly from Brazil going to poor neighborhoods with guns trained on the people. He said UN forces were usually fighting guerilla forces. The UN officials were for the most part English speaking officers who spoke no Haitian Creole. He also found that there were no radios for communication between the HNP (Haitian National Police) and the UN officers. These two groups were often fighting each other with the civilians getting caught in between. The Haitian National Police wore mask and no badges. He said the population is terrorized.
He reported that on November 18, 2004, there was a commemoration of the slave revolution in which the police opened fire on the crowd. In his investigation of the injured, he found many couldn’t be convinced to go to the hospital. Many people-suffering gun shot wounds, which had been taken to the hospital were often left untreated. They often ended up in the morgue. Others who had survived their wounds often were left with the affected areas infected and not healing properly.
He also visited an Anti-Gang Haitian National Police Station where 9 by 9 jail cells are the norm. Many of the people in the jail cell appeared to have been beaten. Most had been in jail for 30 days without seeing a judge. Prisoners eat only if family members can bring them food.
Much of Mr. Griffin’s findings are reported in “Haiti- Human Rights Investigation November 11-21, 2004”. The report can be at the Center For The Study Of Human Rights, University of Miami School of Law.
Kevin Pina is an American journalist who has been living and reporting on Haiti for 6 years. He is the director of the film, “Harvest of Hope.” He is a contributing editor to both reports can be viewed on Flashpoints and contributor Black Commentator magazine. He received an anonymous tip that Father Gerard Jean-Juste was arrested. He went to Father Jean Juste’s church with Haitian journalist Jean Ristil and found his room was being searched. He presented his press pass but had his camera taken away. He was thrown to the ground arrested, made to wait for an hour before taken to Fort Duma.
As evidence he presented film footage gathered by a cameraman in Haiti, whose name was not revealed for his own safety. He handed in a copy of a 12-minute footage, but showed 5 minutes for the sake of time. The film was of an operation on July 6, 2005 in Cite Soleil. The first scene was of civilian victims in the street just after a raid. The raid was carried out by UN peacekeepers. They were targeting unarmed citizens. It was hard to look at people dead in the streets, or still alive taking what appeared to be their last breaths. One man was crawling in his own blood, some of his skull missing. Another man sits calmly in his home with his family laid out on a bed beside them. They are all dead. He describes how his wife and children were gunned down. His four-year-old died from a headshot wound. Pina described how headshots are meant to kill. In another scene, a woman tells how she came home from work and found her home riddled with bullets and her husband dead. She asked to die too because her husband was her life. There are other women around her wailing what I can describe as the death cry. A UN member spokesperson’s words appear on screen with an explanation about how the UN is targeting bandits.
Many people in the room around me are silent or crying. I’m too struck by what I’ve seen to react any particular way. I can only keep looking away from the scene. Already the images are buried in my head.
Ramsey Clark has arrived. He has just gotten off of a plane. He makes a statement. “It is necessary to hold governments accountable for wrongs,” He says. “Haiti is the only colony of any European Power that successfully defeated the Napoleon Army.”
He said lots of things that were great quotes. Here are a few:
“We like to go around writing constitutions for other people.”
“Aristide has to go.” George Bush said this after stealing the 2003 election.
“Baby Doc left in 1986 for the French Riviera with the Haitian Peoples money.
“Why does our country keep supporting people like this?”
“The UN is there doing the US’s dirty work.”
The judge asks us to weigh the evidence. Based on our conclusions, the case may be presented to the International Criminal Court at The Hague. “Maybe Haiti will have its case heard.”
The jury gathered outside in an area to hear the question and make a decision. Everyone was tired, and frazzled from the experience. As we voted on the charges we found a juror who wanted to challenge the rest of us. He said he could not make a decision because the defendants weren’t there to give their side of the story. I didn’t say any thing. I was too tired. Other jurors gave him looks and said things under their breath, while a few challenged him, Dupuy asked him if he needed clarification on what we were doing. He reminded us that we were not finding anyone guilty. He also reminded the jury that the defendants had an opportunity to appear before the court, and did not respond. We were just voting to have the case bought before the world court. The gentlemen with the dilemma decided to abstain.
I was tired. I was wishing I had a hotel to go to instead of the church. I really wanted a good nights sleep. I hoped I could get to sleep.
The jury is asked to go outside and find a conclusion. I’m still shaken by what I’ve seen. In my head I’m wondering what is there to discuss, everyone is guilty. We are all guilty.
September 24, 2005
12:45 am
Settling in for the Night
We get to the church finally. The proceedings finished late. We left the University at 11:30. When we got back on the buses outside we discover that the two bus drivers have combined the two busloads. The bus is the same one I came here on. I’m glad for me, as I realize that people from the other bus had items on the bus they needed. So the driver makes an announcement that they have parked the other bus for the night in the assigned lot. The driver decides we will stop at the parked buses to allow people to pick up their belongs and then head to the church.
At the church we see young people on the sidewalk
Spray-painting posters. They are also using the church for shelter. Inside the sanctuary everyone is busy making a place for themselves on the floor, on the benches and the alter. It is dark. The only light available is coming from above an entrance way and the hallway. I make my near the glow of it. I spread my blanket and use my backpack for a pillow. I can’t find a plug to charge my phone and I don’t want to use the outlets near some folks who’ve already fallen asleep. I start writing my impressions of the tribunal and the people I’ve talked to on the bus. Someone comes to tell me there is food if I’m hungry. I close the laptop. Kim’s mom says to me, “ You were so into it over there.” I feel silly. I’m worried about not having time to jot everything down. I want to write in the moment. She says, some more encouraging words and then says she should let me eat. There are many mother figures on this trip. I feel safe.
Inside we find some food, chicken from KFC. I can’t remember the reason I stopped eating KFC. I take two pieces and some bread. I find pamphlets on a nearby table. I pick up a map, a vegan guide to dc and head back inside the sanctuary. I’m really tired. Lying down with my earphones and radio, I discover the earphones have stopped working. I’m so annoyed. I won’t be able to keep up with the events, by listening to the Pacifica station here in Washington. Earlier during the tribunal proceedings I discover my digital camera is broken. Before that I realize some checks have bounced and my account is overdrawn. I pray to God, and Buddha and the Orishas (at this point which ever divinity isn’t busy) that I won’t have trouble accessing the other bank account with money in the savings. I’ve periodically forgotten my pin number for my bankcard. I pray that this won’t be the weekend. I could always use my fifty-dollar gift check, courtesy of my previous job. What kind of freelancer am I? My husband told me, don’t be afraid to use the credit card for whatever I need. You can’t buy anything at an Anti-War rally with a credit card! I hope whatever article I come up with will eventually produce a job.
