Front Line is deeply concerned regarding the disappearance of human rights defender Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine who has been missing since 12 August 2007. Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine is the former coordinator of the 30 September Foundation, a human rights organisation dedicated to protecting the families of victims and reuniting survivors of the military government of 1991-1994, during which at least 5,000 people were killed.
On 12 August 2007, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine was leaving a delegation of American and Canadian human rights activists he was accompanying on their visit to Haiti when it is believed he was abducted. His car was found in the Delmas 10 area of Port-au-Prince on the following day, 13 August 2007. On 14 August 2007, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine's abductors reportedly called his family requesting a ransom of USD 300,000. However there has been no further contact from the abductors. An investigation has been launched by the Anti-kidnapping Unit at the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire, DCPJ), though this investigation has yet to discover the whereabouts of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine.
Front Line believes that the disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine is related to his legitimate human rights activities, in particular his work to defend the rights of the families of victims and survivors of the military government of 1991-1994. Front Line expresses its concern for the physical and psychological integrity of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, the members of his family, and all members of the 30 September Foundation.
Action Finished:
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
