Fri - June 15, 2007

The Responsibility Not To Screw Up


There should have been a public inquiry, a royal commission, into Canada's role in the overthrow of Haiti's elected government in 2004. It's my belief, and I'm not alone, that Canada joined with the United States and France in carrying out a covert policy of regime change that was unwarranted, with devastating consequences to the fledgling Caribbean democracy. Most Canadians are still unaware of how we helped to destabilize the country and force President Aristide into exile. Nor has there been much public debate about the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of political prisoners who have been languishing in Haitian jails ever since the coup, placed there by a police force that was being monitored, and to some extent supervised, by Canadian officials.

Posted at 12:56 PM     Read More  

Tue - February 13, 2007

A refugee from Haiti


It was just before Christmas when I got an email from Joe Emersberger, a former colleague from work and a fellow member of Haiti Solidarity Windsor. He was worried about a Haitian man being held in the Windsor Jail.

Jean Candio had made arrangements with Canadian officials for an interview about his refugee claim. But when he crossed the border and stated the nature of his business the former member of the Haitian Parliament was arrested. He was accused of violating human rights and belonging to a terrorist organization, the Fanmi Lavalas Party of Haiti.

Over the next few weeks Joe co-ordinated an effort by local activists to examine the charges against Candio and come to his defence. It quickly became apparent that the allegations were highly questionable.

Posted at 01:21 PM     Read More  

Tue - February 6, 2007

Jean Candio Speaking


This Thursday a man who was recently held in the Windsor Jail as a suspected terrorist will be speaking at the University of Windsor. His subject will be "the Struggle for Sovereignty and Justice in Haiti."

Several activists with Haiti Solidarity Windsor worked to help Jean Candio gain his freedom and a chance to make a claim for refugee status. Many others, including myself, made donations to his defence fund. I'll have more to say about that in a few days.

Until then here are the details from the flyer announcing Candio's speaking engagement:

Posted at 03:38 PM     Read More  

Tue - January 30, 2007

Rene Giroux


A letter to the editor of the Windsor Star caught my attention this past weekend. It was from Fr. Rene Giroux. The former chaplain of the Windsor and District Labour Council has lived in Haiti for the past decade, running a school and a local parish.

Posted at 02:15 PM     Read More  

Sat - February 25, 2006

Patrick Elie


Cross Canada tour

Posted at 04:48 PM     Read More  

Thu - February 16, 2006

Préval declared winner


Blank ballot compromise

Posted at 01:34 PM     Read More  

Tue - February 14, 2006

Electoral Commission Silent


Préval claims victory

Posted at 11:20 AM     Read More  

Mon - February 13, 2006

Fraud and incompetence charged


Vote count in Haiti still incomplete

Posted at 09:23 AM     Read More  

Sun - February 12, 2006

Slow count in Haiti


Préval drops below 50%

Posted at 10:39 AM     Read More  

Thu - February 9, 2006

Préval appears to have won


Haiti's next president?

Posted at 02:59 PM     Read More  

Tue - February 7, 2006

Election in Haiti


Patrick Elie speaking in Windsor

Posted at 11:57 AM     Read More  

Fri - September 16, 2005

Canada in Haiti


Waging War on the Poor Majority

Posted at 08:17 PM     Read More  

Thu - February 19, 2004

Haiti III


"Double Game"

Posted at 09:17 AM     Read More  

Mon - February 16, 2004

Haiti II


Fighting democracy

Posted at 02:30 PM     Read More  

Thu - January 8, 2004

Haiti


Regime change through attrition

Posted at 04:44 PM     Read More  

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