violence - Haiti Observer Blog

The pressure on the CEP was intensified yesterday (Friday, November 21, 2015) as thousands of Haitians continue to demand that last month's presidential election be annulled. The protest that started peacefully turned violent after they were attacked by government supporters who threw rocks, blocks and bottles. The clash resulted in one death, two cars burned to the ground, several injuries and lost of business merchandises. One of the major injuries involves a Haitian protester who was hit in the head with a machete. The report indicated that the cars were burned around Delmas 95. In addition, several street merchants lost their inventories as people were running for cover.

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As far back as 1996, Haitian women, at the rate of 70%, have admitted to suffering some form of violence. Whether domestic violence or sexual abuse, Haiti's women are prone to abuse not just from spouses and loved ones, but also from authority figures, as in the cases found in IDP camps. But while the women are vocal about their struggles with abuse, men are largely unwilling to admit to inflicting this kind of suffering, so the numbers are decidedly unbalanced. Furthering the awesomeness of the reality, the men in this initial study were of the opinion that, at times, domestic violence or assault and battery was necessary and justifiable.

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Last Thursday, Deputy Arnel Belizaire revealed some of his plans for the future. He has no intention of giving up on his fight against the government of Michel Martelly. The Deputy of Delma and Tabarre did not hesitate to mention the possibility to continue his fight in the future with arms in hand.

According to an article in HaitiLibre.com, Arnel Belizaire said: "I am violent. I always took part in all the armed struggles in recent years. If necessary after the end of my term, I will do the armed struggle. This is where I'm most comfortable." . He stated that President Michel Martelly is also a violent man.

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Wencesclass Lambert, a Senator from South-East Haiti behaved like a street fighter when he punched Daniel Théodore twice on the face on March 9, 2014 at a political meeting in the town of Marigot. Daniel Théodore is a second year student of agronomy from the Public University of East Jacmel (LIPSEJ) and a delegate of MORACS who lost two teeth on this aggressive assault. The incident occurred before many attendees of the meeting. Following the altercation, when the Senator was asked by the press whether the student threatened his security or deserved an apology, her said it was he who deserves an apology from the citizen. The whole country knows how he has disrespected someone at his stature. If someone behaves like this to a self respected person like him, it is nothing wrong to lose nerve and give two well deserved knocks on the face.

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This can happen only in my beloved country of Haiti. A Senator of the Republic of Haiti publicly stated that he punched a citizen who did not attack him. Not only he punched the citizen, but he hit him twice. He further states the only reason he did not arrest the citizen is because his security personnel was not there.

The incident took place on March 9 at a meeting between the Senator and members of MORACS. Senator Wencesclas Lambert became angry after Daniel Theodore reminded him that some of his promises were not delivered

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Haitian President Michel Martelly, responding to the recent spate of violent protests over the high standard of living, joblessness, and chronic corruption within his government, spoke with the European media.

To the charge his government is corrupt, he first blamed the Haitian mentality, but backpedaled to claim advisors of his had already been arrested and that more was to come. However, he did name names.

The protesting in the streets took the forms of rock throwing, tire burning, and shooting. Martelly argues what the citizens want is "unity and jobs, not conflict and further instability." He maintains he is highly motivated to change Haiti, so private investors will be encouraged to develop reconstruction projects.

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Another day of protest came and went in Haiti. Thousands of Haitians demonstrated on November 29, 2013 to demand that President Michel Martelly steps down.

This time the objectives of the protest were to ask the US Government to stop supporting the government of Michel Martelly and also to commemorate the election day massacre in Ruelle Vaillant.

Senator Moise Jean Charles wanted to meet uncle Sam; However, it did not happen. The group that went to march in front of the US Embassy met instead Riot police who blocked the area with barricades water cannon.

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According to a pastor working in the slum of Cite Soleil, more that 40 people have been reported dead as a result of recent violence there. The slum of Cite Soleil has once again become a dead trap for many as the pastor working in the town reported on Radio Kiskeya that recent violence has taken the lives of 40 people within the last 8 months

Many gangs in Haiti are usually based in slums like Cite Soleil where there are little opportunities for the residents and specially the young. They use their power and influence to recruit young people in the neighborhood and arm them with heavy weapons. The gang members are often involved in kidnappings, harassment and terror carried to the population to finance their operation.

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Chaos emerged last Saturday at Port-au-Prince where two male partners were holding a private engagement ceremony. The British national and his male partner were attacked with rocks and molotov cocktail by angry locals.

In an attempt to prevent loss of human life, Haitian Police arrived just in time. According to rights advocates the act was not justified. One of the homosexual's rights defenders condemned the action saying that it was homophobic act.

The homosexual community followers are now pushing for justice to be done. They believe that the perpetrators are guilt of crime.

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Haitian society has long been challenged by the problem of gang violence, said to be one of the main causes of instability on the island. Gang violence encompasses a broad spectrum and stereotypes do not apply. The international community has been studying this problem, and the non-government organization, International Development Research Center, has released its latest report defining gang organizations and their members.

Four main types of gang groups operate in civil and political life in Haiti. The most recognizable of them are street gangs, who give themselves colorful names like "Rat" and "Sans Teté". These groups are not well organized, and carry crude weapons. Another gang category consists of ex-military and soldier-of-fortune members. Closely allied with them are paramilitary groups and goons. Criminal activities include drug trafficking, loan sharking, and union violence. The most professional gangs belong to mobs, who engage in racketeering, sales of arms, and gambling.

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