Toronto Haiti Action Committee

For Immediate Release:
August 14, 2007
Fondasyon Mapou and the Haitian Priorities Project

Port au Prince, Haiti
Contacts: Eugenia Charles and Jacob François
Phone 011-509-698-8134, 011-509-448-3672

Our international human rights delegation seeks the safe return of Lovinsky Pierre Antoine. A long-time defender of human rights and advocate of the poor, Lovinsky Pierre Antoine has not been seen since 10:00 pm Sunday, August 12, 2007. Our delegation has made numerous attempts to contact him but thus far has been unsuccessful.

Lovinsky Pierre Antoine is the national coordinator of September 30th Foundation and has frequently been targeted for his advocacy work. Lovinsky has been touring the country with our delegation which includes American, Canadian, and Haitian nationals. The delegation has been meeting with Haitian grassroots organizations, government officials and individuals to gather information about the human rights situation in Haiti. The delegation has negotiated the release of two illegally imprisoned Haitians earlier this month; two more prisoners from the same tribunal are awaiting release.

The vehicle Lovinsky was driving was found in the neighborhood of Delmas 10 in Port au Prince. Subsequent searches have not revealed his location. We urge everyone who is a friend of Haiti and supporter of the struggle of the Haitian people to appeal to those who may have seen him or have any information about his whereabouts. If you have information regarding Lovinsky, please contact us at the above numbers.

We are deeply concerned because it has been over 48 hours since Lovinsky has been seen or heard from. We are encouraging the government, MINUSTAH, and international organizations and institutions to collaborate for his safe return.