Faced with the progression of the Covid-19 epidemic in Haiti and the non-compliance with the curfew established in the city of Jérémie (Grand'Anse department) from 8:00 am to 5:00 am, the judicial and police authorities have decided to use drastic and questionable methods to enforce this measure within the framework of the state of emergency decreed by the Government, in order to avoid as much as possible the propagation of the coronavirus Covid-19.

Heavy confrontations between the population and the police offciers, tear gas canisters, arbitrary arrests, caning and beatings are some accusations that the population makes against the police.

On Saturday, on Alexandre Pétion street, two young people in a car who were returning home were arrested by the police who unceremoniously took them out of their vehicle, handcuffed their hands behind their backs, before being brutally brutalized by several police officers, without power explain himself then take him to the police station according to testimonies from local residents.

According to the police version, the two young people tried to oppose the restrictions on movement during the curfew and refused to comply with their order.

Sunday evening clashes between the population and the police broke out while the curfew was in effect, the police did not hesitate to use tear gas to disperse the offenders and force them to return home...

Force against dialogue and awareness-raising, a method that has been denounced by human rights organizations which call for moderation and rejection of gratuitous violence against the population.

PI/ iciHaiti