🚀 go-pugleaf

This is an urgent action request from the International Solidarity Network
of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters.  Please take a
minute and send a message of support to defend the right to communicate.


Haiti : A break-in at Radio Echo


On March 25, 1997,  in Pilate, a small northern town of Haiti, two of the
mayor=92s security guards staged an armed break-in at the local community
station, Radio Echo. After breaking down the radio=92s gate and door, the
guards searched the station for a cassette that the mayor had demanded. The
cassette contained a press release recorded by a peasant organization in
protest against the way that the mayor was running Pilate.

Although the police proceeded to arrest the two individuals, the mayor was
able to have them freed on bail. The police chief claims that he does not
have enough evidence to bring charges of armed assault against the suspects,
and the matter is still pending. It is clear to the people at Radio Echo,
however, that the mayor is guilty of abuse of power.

We have witnessed a climate of increasing insecurity with regard to
different community radio stations as Haiti=92s legislative and territorial
elections draw closer.  In an effort to defend the fragile accomplishment=92=
s
of Haiti=92s young democracy, and to protect freedom of speech and of the
media we must condemn acts such as those committed by the mayor of Pilate.
We therefore ask you to send letters emphasizing the following demands :

        government protection for Haiti=92s community radio stations and a=
 guarantee
that they will have the right to operate freely and independently;

        a promise that community radios will not be hindered nor prevented from
playing their social  role in educating and informing the population.  =20

Please send your letters by fax to the following numbers :

              =20
  =20
D=E9put=E9 de Pilate,Dunois B=E9lizaire,=20
Parlement Chambre Basse Fax (509) 22-33-63

Radio Echo a/s PAPDA fax : (509) 45-88-36 =20
or SAKS  fax: (509) 45 64 22=09

and  AMARC fax: 1 (514) 849-7129 =20



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Association Mondiale des Radiodiffuseurs Communautaires
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
Asociacion Mundial de Radios Comunitarias
(AMARC)

Secretariat International
3575, Boul. Saint-Laurent, bureau 611
Montreal, Quebec  H2X  2T7   CANADA
Tel : +1 (514) 982 03 51        Fax : +1 (514) 849 71 29
Email: amarcho@web.apc.org
WWW : http://www.web.apc.org/amarc/
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