ACM WANTS HAITIAN JOURNALIST’S MURDERERS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

January 24, 2005 - The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) calls on Haitian authorities to work assiduously to bring to justice the person or persons responsible for the murder of broadcast journalist, Abdias Jean.

Our information is that Jean was killed while covering a police operation in Village de Dieu on January 14.

We view accounts of Jean’s murder with utmost concern since it has been reported that he was shot by members of the country’s security forces.

We believe this incident can have the impact of delaying the re-entry of Haiti as an active member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the benefits to the people of the country such status has the potential to bring.

This savage assault on the free press follows on the heels of recent reports of violent acts and threats against Haitian journalists.

This is absolutely unacceptable and we join with partner institutions in the hemisphere and beyond in expressing our condemnation of any attempt to impede the work of the media in Haiti.