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"My body is
in prison, but my soul is free."
Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste from prison
Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste is being held in isolation in the
Haitian National Penitentiary.
I tried twice to visit but was not allowed.
Likewise his Bishop tried to visit him but was not
allowed. I was able to deliver his
prayer book and some clothes and send a note in to him.
He sent a note back that included the following:
"Avoka Bill, Thanks a lot to everyone for
everything. I am in isolation section room I-05. I
am really isolated but not from God. In spirit I remain
together with you all. Keep the food program running.
Justice shall prevail. God's blessings, GJJ."
The newest reported charges against Fr. Gerry are "public
denunciation" and "inciting to violence."
The second charge is the same one that the unelected
government has had pending against the former prime minister
of Haiti, Yvon Neptune, who has been in prison for over a year
with no trial in sight. These charges are as groundless
as the prior ones - but are still not in writing and will
probably change again.
Attorney Mario Joseph will try to visit him face to face this
week. Mario and other Haitian lawyers
say there is no basis at all in law for the charges against
Fr. jean-Juste. All think the government will hold him in jail
at least until after the scheduled elections in the fall
unless international pressure forces them to act otherwise.
Fr. Jean-Juste has been described by insiders as
"the most dangerous man in Haiti" because of his
uncompromising advocacy for the poor, for human rights, for
the release of all political prisoners and for the return of
the elected president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
People here also thinks the "hand of the US is
behind this prosecution."
International pressure is needed on the US, the Haitian
Minister of Justice and the UN. For
their addresses and how Fr. Jean-Juste was attacked at church
and arrested see: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0722-08.htm
Some are calling for protection of Fr. Jean-Juste in prison,
but that is not the right call.
The call of people devoted to human rights and democracy is
for the IMMEDIATE RELEASE of Fr. Jean-Juste.
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