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Caribbean-Latin America | |||||
UN Peacekeepers Slaughter 23 Civilians In Haiti | |||||
2005-07-29 | |||||
Evidence is mounting that United Nations peacekeepers shot and killed unarmed civilians, including children, during a recent raid in Haiti. The UN said it was ready to investigate the alleged "use of unnecessary force". Independent witnesses say up to 23 people were killed during the raid and that many were shot in the head. Video footage seen by The Independent shows the bodies of many killed in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and contains testimony from witnesses claiming the victims were killed by "blue helmets"  common parlance for UN peacekeepers. In a statement, the UN Mission in Haiti (Minustah) said: "[UN forces] did not target civilians in the operation ... but the nature of such missions in densely populated urban areas is such that there is always a risk of civilian casualties. Minustah deeply regrets any injuries or loss of life during its operation."
But since the ousting of the democratically elected Mr Aristide last year, human rights groups have detailed repression of his supporters by the US-backed interim government and the HNP. A report by the human rights programme at Harvard Law School said there were also "credible allegations of human rights abuses perpetrated by Minustah". Minustah said its dawn raid, involving more than 400 troops, targeted the gang leader known as "Dread Wilme", who is accused of murder and kidnapping. He and four alleged associates were killed.
Among the dead were four-year-old Stanley Romelus, who was shot in the head; his mother, Sonia, and his one-year-old brother, Nelson. The boy's father said they were killed in their house after UN forces threw smoke grenades. His testimony is to be included in a documentary Pina is producing based on the footage.
Minustah claims it received "unconfirmed information" that criminal gangs were seen killing civilians after its operation. It said: "Subsequently, these elements attributed these atrocious acts to Minustah." At UN headquarters yesterday, Jean-Marie Guehenno, undersecretary-general for peacekeeping, asked for specialist troops for Haiti. "I have to acknowledge the forces we have do not have the kind of very specialised capacity ... that makes absolutely sure that there will be zero civilian casualties in a densely populated environment." I look forward to the left demanding the immediate withdrawl of the UN from Haiti, and the turnover of all suspected killers and their leaders to the ICC for trial. | |||||
Posted by:Anonymoose |
#6 The UN should get out now What? They'e made for each other. Matter of fact I can see moving the HQ to Port a Pimps could help everyone. |
Posted by: Shipman 2005-07-29 17:09 |
#5 The UN should get out now. Jean-Marie Guehenno and Kofi Annan are war criminals and should face charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC. And Syke should be charged as a co-conspirator for supporting this rogue organization that stole food and medicine funds marked for Iraqi children and is now killing innocent Haitian women and children. I hope John Bolton is appointed tonight. He's urgently needed in New York. |
Posted by: Neutron Tom 2005-07-29 10:52 |
#4 Ah yes, the hypocracy of the left and the UN. Not a peep of condimation will be heard, only excuses and limp reasoning. But if the US had done this, Molly bar the door on the Rage-of-the-Left! This is the problem with letting totalitarian governments in with the UN, they use totalitarian methods to get the job done. And Kerry and the other libs want the UN to take control. Over. Their. Dead. Bodies. |
Posted by: mmurray821 2005-07-29 05:08 |
#3 But since the ousting of the democratically elected Mr Aristide last year, human rights groups have detailed repression of his supporters by the US-backed interim government and the HNP. What's left out is that the HRGs and the rest of their ilk, for various reasons (being pro-Aristide for one), have systematically managed to hamstring efforts to bring order to Haiti. Hence we end up with this mess. |
Posted by: Pappy 2005-07-29 02:39 |
#2 Brasil and China's contributions manpower wise prety much sould have predicted this. These troops will not screw around. Dealing with this stuff is handled as it would be at home. |
Posted by: Sock Puppet 0’ Doom 2005-07-29 01:07 |
#1 "On that day we treated 27 people for gunshot wounds. Of them, around 20 were women under the age of 18." Sadly, this one doesn't require rocket science. It's just absolutely sickening. The silence of the left re: this horrific outrage will be deafening, as this can't be blamed on Bush. |
Posted by: 2b 2005-07-29 00:36 |