By Erica Laster
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – In an effort to deter crime, the People’s Partnership Coalition of Trinidad is discussing legislation which would resume executions of criminals.  The Trinidad and Tobago Humanist society strongly opposes the position, noting that the death penalty has not reduced crime in any country employing the measure.

3,335 murders were committed in Trinidad and Tobago from 2002-2010 according to figures produced by the government.  No countries have shown a reduction in crime due to the use or existence of the death penalty.  TTHS called attention to the fact that “One notable comparison is between Canada, where the death penalty was abolished in 1976, and the U.S., where it was reinstated that same year after a ten-year moratorium. American homicide rates rose after the 1976 reinstatement, while Canadian homicide rates declined after its abolition.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is a strong supporter of the new legislation.  “Mothers have lost their sons and daughters, children are left motherless and fatherless. Homes left without incomes, families destroyed and forced into poverty and worse,” she argued.  Bissessar believes the death penalty is the solution to many of these problems.

Bissessar contends that criminals have been using Trinidad’s laws in order to gain more time and avoid the death penalty.

The 1994 Pratt and Morgan case, decided by the London based Privy Council, mandates that convicted killers in Trinidad receive the death penalty by hanging within 5 years of being sentenced.  The appeals process has allowed many convicted killers to use loopholes to avoid this law.  Their right to seek further review by International governing bodies of which Trinidad is a member despite exceeding the 5 year deadline was upheld by the Privy Council in 1999.

As the highest court for many Caribbean countries, some have complained that the Privy Council impedes their ability to carry out the death penalty in accordance with their laws.

The proposed legislation provides that the murder of certain judiciary members and government officials carries a mandatory death sentence.  Further, it indicates the circumstances under which a person may receive a conviction for involuntary homicide.

No execution has been carried out in Trinidad since 1999.

For More Information Please Visit:

IPS News – Trinidad Aims To Bypass Privy Council On Death Penalty – 20 January 2011

MSNBC – Trinidad PM Wants Better Death Penalty Enforcement – 15 January 2011

Dominican News – New Moves To Implement Death Penalty In Trinidad – 22 January 2011

By Erica Laster                                                                                                                   Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – After living in exile in France for over 25 years, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returned to Haiti Sunday, receiving an unexpected welcoming committee: heavily armed police.  Duvalier was charged and arrested at the Karibe hotel Tuesday, just two days after his arrival back to his homeland.  Succeeding his father in 1971, the former dictator faces possible charges stemming back to the torture and murder of thousands of Haitians during his 15 year rule. 

In the midst of a questionable election, Haitian citizens are poised for answers, questioning the reason for his return amid such turmoil in the country.   “Everybody is in a wait-and-see mode, nothing is clear, and this is very frustrating, especially for the people living in the tents,” said Michele Pierre Louis, former prime minister to current President Rene Preval.

Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were forced to flee the country in fear of Duvalier’s corrupt administration. Duvalier associate, Henry Robert Sterlin, indicated that the former dictator returned because he missed Haiti and was moved by the January earthquake’s anniversary.  While a press conference was scheduled, it was quickly cancelled due to the hotel’s inability to handle the overwhelming crowd.

Part of a familial rule which lasted thirty years, Duvalier assumed power after the death of his father at the age of 19.   

Human rights organizations have called for justice for the crimes he committed.  Michele Montas, Haitian journalist and former spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general declared, “We have enough proof. There are enough people who can testify. And what I will do is go to a public prosecutor, and there is a public prosecutor that could actually accommodate our complaints.”

Government sources indicate that a judge may take up to 30 days to determine whether the accusations Duvalier faces have any merit in order to move forward with the case.

For More Information Please Visit:

CNN – Charges Filed Against ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier in Haiti – 18 January 2011

CNN – Baby Doc Duvalier Returns to Haiti in Surprise Move – 16 January 2011

Washington Post – Duvalier’s Return Adds to Haiti’s Political Turmoil – 17 January 2011

By Erica Laster                                                                                                                                  Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, United States – The mass deportation of Haitians from a number of countries has caused various human rights groups to take action.  Six Miami and Washington based human rights groups filed a petition to halt Haitian deportation by the United States with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Given the cholera epidemic and the civil unrest, human rights groups are attempting to stem the flow of Haitians back to the quake ravaged country.

Over 350 Haitians have been placed in detention centers in the United States since the Administration announced their decision to resume deporting detainees back to Haiti.  While the Obama administration indicated that deportation would extend to Haitians who have finished serving time for violent crimes, other Haitian families are terrified at the implications and repercussions.

On the condition of anonymity, one father spoke about his families struggle to which led them to the United States.  Speaking in Creole, Fritz explained that his family traveled to the U.S. after the January earthquake to survive.

“We should not be having to look at families and telling them we don’t know what’s going to happen, we don’t know if they are going to be sent back to Haiti, we don’t know if they are going to be given work permits so they can support their families,” says Cheryl Little, immigration advocate of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. 

Amnesty International also took action against the Dominican Republic, urging the country to cease the deportation of Haitians which they argue would lead to grave human rights violations.

In the past week,  950 Haitians have been deported out of the country.  Javier Zuñiga, Amnesty International’s Senior Advisor believes “Haiti is still recovering from a devastating natural disaster. Instead of forcing people back to a desperate situation, the Dominican Republic and other countries should be stepping up their efforts to help Haiti and its people.”

Those facing deportation will be subject to harsh conditions and will likely be placed in detention centers upon their arrival.  48  Haitians placed in such centers have died in their holding cells.  Over tens of thousands of immigrants living and working in the United States are Haitians who do not have legal permission to remain in the country. 

While Haitians may apply for Temporary Protective Status (TPS), many have stopped applying despite the January 18 deadline.  Over 1 million Haitians still remain homeless and without proper sanitation in Haiti.

The Department of Homeland Security has refused to comment on the situation.

For More Information Please Visit:

Caribbean News Now – Rights Groups Petition U.S. To Stop Haitian Deportations – 15 January 2011

Amnesty International – Dominican Republic Must Stop Forcible Deportation of Haitians – 7 January 2011

Public Radio International – U.S. Resumes Haitian Deportation – 14 January 2011

Originally trained by the CIA as an explosives expert, Posada has been the target of federal investigations for attacks dating back 30 years. Unable to indict Posada on terrorist charges, some believe the perjury counts are similar to Al Capone indictment on tax evasion.

Posada enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963 at the behest of the C.I.A., training in demolition, intelligence and propoganda before quitting after one year to become a paid C.I.A. operative in 1965. Quickly finding more lucrative positions, Posada associated himself with the Venezuelan intelligence service from 1967-1974 before starting a private security agency. Arrested in 1976 for the bombing of a commercial Cuban airliner, he remained in a Venezuelan prison until his escape in 1985, again serving the United States government.

In various interviews with the New York times, Posada admitted to orchestrating the 1997 Havana bombings in which an Italian businessman tourist died. Posada showed no remorse despite revealing the only intent was to scare tourists in an effort to destroy Cuban tourism. “I sleep like a baby,” he stated.

In a 1998 interview with the Times, Posada stated, “The C.I.A. taught us everything – everything. They taught us explosives, how to kill, bomb trained us in acts of sabotage.” His 2000 Panamanian conviction for the attempted assasination of Fidel Castro resulted in his serving four years in prison before a pardon was issued by former President Moscoso.

While the charges the 82 year old faces in Texas do not appear to be on a level as serious as terrorism, prosecutors must prove Posada’s involvement in the terrorist attacks for a court to find him guilty of perjury.

For More Information Please Visit:

CNN – Posada, Anti-Castro Exile And Former CIA Operative, Goes On Trial – 10 January 2011

NY Times – Terror Accusations, But Perjury Charges – 9 January 2011

Washington Post – Fidel Castro’s Nemesis Goes On Trial In Texas – 10 January 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

By Erica Laster                                                                                                                      Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

ACAPULCO, Mexico – Acapulco, a popular resort city in Mexico, has been able to boast a number of tourists in previous years.  However, a statement by Guerrero State Public Security office has confirmed the discovery of 15 headless bodies on a highway next to a popular shopping center in the city.   Police were alerted to their presence after following a trail of burning vehicles to the corpses.  The victims ranged in age from 25-30 and were all male.

Authorities believe the slayings to be drug related after discovering a number of hand written notes with the bodies.  Handwritten signs bore the signatures of “El Chapo’s People.”  Director of Investigative Police for Guerrero State, Fernando Monreal Levya confirmed the belief that this is a reference used by the Sinaloa Cartel, headed by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Saturday’s discovery is the largest decapitation group found in recent years.

Violence has increased in the resort city of Acapulco in recent years due to the high prevalence of drug trafficking. 

This past Saturday, two police officers and ten civilians were also killed in the city.  The police officers were a casualty of an armed attack on a police post in the Emiliano Zapata district of Acapulco.  Six of those civilians were discovered shot with their feet and hands bound inside of a local taxi.  The body of a town mayor was also discovered in northern Mexico on Saturday.

“We are coordinating with federal forces and local police to reinforce security in Acapulco and investigating to try to establish the motive and perpetrators of these incidents,” stated Director Monreal.  Over 30,196 people have lost their lives in drug related violence since 2006 offensive began against Mexican cartels to stem the flow of drugs and murders.

Associated Press – 27 Deaths, Including 14 Decapitated, Rock Acapulco – 9 January 2011

New York Times –Bodies Found Beheaded In Assaults In Acapulco, Mexico – 8 January 2011

CBS News – 14 Headless Bodies Found In Mexico Resort City – 8 January 2011

CNN – 15 Headless Bodies Found In Acapulco – 8 January 2011