Remembering Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine
on August 12, 2008
Category: Haiti, Human Rights
Today is the one year anniversary of the disappearance of Haitian human rights activist, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine. His wife, Michelle has sent this open letter to the Haitian authorities expressing her and her family’s resolve and calling for the truth to be revealed and her shock at calling his mobile and someone answering the phone.
Madam/Sir — the authorities,
Exactly one year ago, on 12 August 2007, my husband, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, after coming back from out of town, suddenly left home to go to a meeting arranged by phone by people who probably wanted to lure him into a trap. Up to now, that was the last time his family saw him. It was also the start of an ordeal for those close to him as well as for his colleagues and friends.
12 August 2007-12 August 2008. Twelve long months have gone by since his disappearance was reported to all bodies with responsibility for Haiti: the President’s office, Primature, Parliament, Ministry of Justice, National Police of Haiti, UN, OAS (Organisation American States), etc. To this day, the Pierre-Antoine family has witnessed, with disappointment but not surprise, the lack of, if not to say the total absence of any results from the actions and investigations which the authorities are supposed to undertake.
Today, my demeanour is that of a traumatised wife, of a mother who is shocked and powerless, speechless in the face of Lovinsky’s two sons’ daily questions about what has really happened to their dear father. I’ve heard nothing about where the investigation has reached, and I’m getting to the point where I wonder if there really is a will to present any concrete official results.
A year after this incident, the Haitian authorities and the public seem to have forgotten this citizen whose disappearance, as a human being, should arouse sympathy. The worst is the mental anguish his family has to endure; we also feel angry about the sick actions of his kidnappers and the blatant indifference of some of his closest colleagues.
Without doubt, an active citizen of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine’s calibre does not disappear, doesn’t melt into nature without a trace. Actually, the leads and clues left during and after his kidnap were not worked on or explored advisedly so as to bring concrete results. For example, the fingerprints found in the vehicle Lovinsky used, the shocking and revealing statements made to the press by an influential member of the political party Lovinsky belongs to. Personally, not too long ago, I told the police that in a moment of hope, I rang Lovinsky’s mobile and was stunned when someone answered, who calmly replied, without any concern, that he was in possession of a personal belonging of someone who had mysteriously disappeared, which could constitute evidence of the crime if there was jurisdiction in this country.
Thinking about Lovinsky’s disappearance, his family and I think of it as missing his physical presence, but he remains with us, alive in our hearts and minds because he is a remarkable husband, a father and family man who cares about his children’s education and future, and a wise adviser to those around him. Surely, even those who don’t agree with his convictions and political actions, still admire his activism, seriousness, his commitment to what he has promised, his team spirit and above all, his love for Haiti. Words fail us to describe Lovinsky’s rare and fantastic personal qualities. Our memories of him are the best.
Putting my arms around the shoulders of my two sons who are in tears at the disappearance of their dear father, and who are waiting for him to come home, my only choice is to reapply myself to notifying all the authorities concerned, to shine a light on his disappearance. Actually, it’s time to break with this atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty; it’s time to break the silence everyone is keeping about this affair, a silence which becomes a tacit plot hatched to keep secret the identity of who is behind this disgusting act. Once more, I call on the conscience of each and every person to get to the truth and end this inexpressible tragedy for Lovinsky, as it is a tragedy for his family. I also call on the conscience of the members of the new government so that they re-launch the investigation on Lovinsky and make the truth come to light.
Finally, I am with my sons in expressing recognition and thanks to the real friends and supporters of Lovinsky, to all those who have lent their moral support, all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to express their opposition to this act, in the streets of various cities in Haiti, in the US and other countries as well as abroad in front of the embassies and offices of Haiti, to all those who have written up articles on this affair for the radio, print media, television and internet, and all those who, in one way or another, have shown sympathy about this sad and terrible situation.
Let everyone know that despite all these terrible things, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine’s family is stronger than ever. Lifted up by hope.
Monday 11 August 2008
Michèle Pierre-Antoine
Lovinsky’s wife
Actions:
Haiti
Large march planned in Cite Soleil, called by Fondayson Trant Septamn and other organizations, with candles and flags. Pressing for Lovinsky’s return to his family, friends and community.
San Francisco
Vigil: 12 noon-1pm, Oakland Federal Building.
Co-sponsored by Ecumenical Peace Institute http://www.epicalc.org, together with Berkeley Women in Black, Mustard Seed Affinity Group, East Bay Coalition to Support Self-rule for Iraqis, Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace and Justice, Peace & Freedom Party, and Buddhist Peace Fellowship.
Los Angeles
Vigil: 12-1pm, Brazilian Consulate. Called by Ad Hoc Working Group for Haiti: CISPES/LA, Global Women’s Strike/LA, International Action Center/LA, Northeast LA Radical Neighbors, Women of Color in the Global Women’s Strike, and other concerned individuals. Endorsers to date: ANSWER-LA, Haiti Action Committee, Office of the Americas
London
Special Vigil of Conviction and Hope called by Global Women’s Strike.
1-2 pm Brazilian Embassy,: “Brazil: What are you doing to find Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine?”
2 pm US Embassy:”End US/ UN occupation and starvation of the people of Haiti!” 3pm-5.15pm Silent Vigil and petitioning St Martin-in-the Fields Church: “Lovinsky, Haiti – We are with you!”
Tags:
Haiti
Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine
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2 Comments so far
1. hip
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Fears of a cover-up grow in the case of missing human rights activist in Haiti
by Kevin Pina
Events marking the one-year anniversary of the abduction and disappearance of Haitian human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine took place in several major cities last week. Demonstrations and vigils were held in Port au Prince, Haiti where several hundred supporters marched to the Palace of Justice to demand that the government of President Rene Preval and the United Nations release a report on their investigations into his disappearance. Similar actions took place in London, Oakland and Los Angeles.
Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine was last seen in Haiti after leaving a meeting with a human rights delegation from the United States and Canada on August 12, 2007. His abandoned vehicle was found the next morning and he has not been heard from since. Although his alleged abductors contacted friends and family two days later demanding a $300,000 ransom, most people including Amnesty International, believe this was a ruse to cover up what was actually a political abduction aimed at silencing Mr. Pierre-Antoine. They point to the fact that most kidnappers maintain contact in an effort to negotiate and arrange for payment. Amnesty International issued an appeal last January where they stated, “Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine’s abduction was reportedly made to look like a kidnapping for ransom. On Tuesday 14 August, the alleged abductors called Pierre-Antoine’s family asking for a ransom of USD 300,000. However there has been no further contact from the abductors.”
So who is Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine and why is there a growing chorus of international condemnation of the government of President Rene Preval and the U.N. regarding his case? According to Amnesty International, “Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine graduated in psychology from the Haitian State University and obtained further specialisation on child psychology in Montreal, Canada. He has been involved for several years as a grass-roots community organizer, mainly working with children. In the early 1990s, he co-founded the Foundation for the Support of Children (Fondsayon Kore Timoun Yo) for young street children in Port-au-Prince, and a centre for teenage mothers (Foyer pour Mères Adolescentes).”
Mr. Pierre-Antoine is also one of the founders of the Fondasyon Trant Septanm (September 30th Foundation) and is a leading advocate and voice for victims of the 1991 brutal military coup in Haiti. He is also one of the fiercest critics of the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004 and is closely associated with his Lavalas political movement. Mr. Pierre-Antoine was appointed General Coordinator of the National Office on Migration during the last presidency of Jean-Bertrand Aristide and was forced into exile after the U.S-installed regime of Gerard Latortue took power. He returned to Haiti to continue his human rights work in February 2006.
Brian Concannon is an attorney who works with a rights group called the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti or IJDH. Mr. Concannon, who is also a close friend and colleague of Mr. Pierre-Antoine, spoke of his decision to return to Haiti in 2006, “I know it was a difficult decision for Lovinsky, because he knew the risks, and he had a family that he loved. But in the end, Lovinsky felt he could not stay out of Haiti any longer, that he was needed to help organize progressive grassroots voices in Haiti.” Concannon recalled the pressure Mr. Pierre-Antoine faced after returning to his homeland, “I last saw Lovinsky in person in February 2007. At the time he was receiving threats, and frequently changing where he slept. He knew he was in danger, but also knew that in Haiti’s democratic transition that the traditional forces would have the upper hand. He knew that if the people did not organize, life would become more difficult for the majority of Haitians who are poor.” Days before his abduction, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine announced his intention to run as a candidate for the Haitian Senate under the banner of the Fanmi Lavalas Party, Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s political party.
Wilson Mesilien, who has been standing in for Mr. Pierre-Antoine as Acting Director of the Fondasyon Trant Septanm, has condemned what he has called “a wall of silence” when referring to the investigation of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine’s disappearance by the government of President Rene Preval and the United Nations in Haiti. A lack of any discernable progress made by them in the case has led to speculation ranging from a concerted effort to keep Mr. Pierre Antoine’s disappearance quiet to charges of complicity in his abduction.
When asked about progress made by Haitian authorities towards solving Mr. Pierre-Antoine’s case, Brian Concannon stated, “I have not heard of any report from any Haitian authorities on Lovinsky’s disappearance, despite requests from Lovinsky’s family, Fondasyon Trant Septanm, members of the U.S. Congress and human rights and Haiti solidarity activists from around the world.” In describing the progress of investigations made by the Haitian police in the case Concannon commented, “We also know that the police have repeatedly failed to follow up on leads they have been provided. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the Haitian government is not reporting on its investigation because it is not conducting one.”
Other critics point to numerous death threats made against Mr. Mesilien and his family as proof of an organized effort to silence criticism of the authorities concerning their lack of a serious investigation. Amnesty International was moved to issue an appeal last December “calling for the authorities to ensure Wilson Mesilien’s protection in accordance with his wishes.”
Equally disturbing is the fact that the United Nations leadership has failed to recognize Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine’s abduction and disappearance altogether. According to a report delivered to the U.N. General Assembly on January 10, 2008 by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), there were no reported instances of persons disappeared in Haiti during the year 2007. The WGEID is part of the U.N. High Commission on Human Rights and as such is in the loop to receive regular human rights reports filed by the U.N. mission in Haiti.
More than five months after Mr. Pierre-Antoine’s disappearance and public acknowledgement of the case by U.N. authorities in Haiti, the WGEID completely omitted any reference to it in their report to the General Assembly. Brian Concannon is puzzled by this glaring omission on the part of the WGEID. He responded, “I cannot explain why Lovinsky was left out of the Working Group’s report. The UN Mission in Haiti issued a press release about it. The abduction was in the news, Amnesty International and other human rights groups issued action alerts. The omission was especially troubling because Lovinsky was such a high profile human rights activist, and candidate for the Senate elections.”
Whatever the reason behind the omission of Mr. Pierre-Antoine’s case in the WGEID’s report, it is sure to stoke fears of an organized effort to cover-up the facts of his abduction and disappearance one-year ago in Haiti. Demonstrations and vigils demanding accountability in the investigation of the disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, like those that occurred last week, are expected to continue to grow as a result.
2. Beauty
September 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
All good people must double efforts in the search for the truth.
Beautys last blog post..President Yar’Adua is back