By: Tom Luce - HaitiAnalysis.com

The Haitian Non-Violent, Non-Partisan Coalition (HNVNPC) is an initiative of relatively unknown, non-partisan human rights volunteers and AUMOHD an agency which has been working with victims of political persecution since the end of 2003. The HNVNPC began meeting in January to pull together a non-violent plan to end the murderous approach of the Haitian government in collaboration with the UN to controlling insecurity in Cité Soleil. They publicly unveiled a petition on Feb. 8: "Requesting a suspension of the deadly operations of the soldiers of MINUSTAH based at Cité Soleil until a nonviolent, civil solution can be found."

The HNVNPC petition is based solidly on the international norms of DDR (disarmament, demobilization, reintegration) and the call by the UN for a "Decade of Non-violence 2000-2010". They call for a recognition of the special circumstances of violent conflict following the violent coup against the elected Aristide government in dealing with the subsequent violence including criminal activity. They call for a process of justice in dealing with criminals, pointing out that the death penalty and summary executions are outlawed in Haiti. They call for reorientation services for the unemployed especially the youth caught up in this community violence. They call for reparations to victims and their families of this government sponsored violence.

After over a week of meetings with all levels of the government of Haiti (GOH) and MINUSTAH, the HNVNPC has now moved to a new phase of their campaign. They have received no specific agreements with the GOH. MINUSTAH officials are sympathetic but point out that the GOH has to give the orders. They have organized another press conference for next Tuesday, Feb. 27 10 am Plaza Hotel to enlarge their appeal to the GOH to take this bold, highly humanitarian approach to the remaining presence of armed people in Cité Soleil. They are planning a peaceful march. They want the GOH above all to avoid any further bloodshed, but also to return to their stated preference for due process and peaceful resolution of conflicts among Haitians.

The members of the Coalition are community leaders from Cité Soleil, pastors, school directors, human rights advocates, students, victims of violence, and members of the Community Human Rights Councils (CHRC) of Grand Ravin/Martissant, Simon Pele, and Croix-des-Bouquets. (The CHRC structures have been set up by AUMOHD to empower local community groups to promote human rights campaigns such as non-violent disarmament programs.) As neighbors, victims, and community leaders they felt they could not yield to desperation over the inability of the government, of political parties and MINUSTAH to effect a peaceful ceasefire that would avoid more innocent deaths and wanton destruction of property. They are calling for a proper use of MINUSTAH services to build peace.

Sign HNVNPC petition