December 14, 2005   Penitentiary National - Pacot Annex

     The Haitian legal sytem cannot function anymore. It has been on its death bed for many years and since Monday December 12, 2005 it is approaching a comatose stage.  The judges of Haiti are on strike protesting the firing of five Supreme Court Justices by the de facto government.  Enough is enough!

     Last year, Judge Jean Senat Fleury, an instruction or district judge, was forced to resign under pressure from the de facto government Latorture/Alexandre.  The government trend of firing judges following a court decision that the government does not approve of is continuous and outrageous.  Now is the time to call it quits.

     There is no justice in Haiti.  It is worse since the February 29, 2004 coup d'etat that sent the elected President of Haiti Jean Bertrand Aristide to South Africa in exile.

     I, therefore, Gerard Jean-Juste, a priest reduced to silence by the illegal de facto government, in jail or sequestration under false accusations since July 21, 2005, declare that I want freedom for myself and the political prisoners now - before the holiday season.

     I am ill, according to some physicians very ill, gravely ill.  My case, they said, requires at this stage hospitalization.  I should being appropriate treatment immediately.

     I will not take the dilatory tactics of the de facto government anymore.  It is Christmas time which also carries freedom.  Freedom time for the political prisoners.

     I spoke today with the papal nuncio, Archbishop Mario Giordana.  I also spoke with Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot about "Freedom Now!"  they offer their prayers.  Enough is enough!  Let freedom ring!

    Happy holiday season.  Peace, grace and love in the living God.

    Gerard Jean-Juste

(This message was carried out of the prison by one of Pere Jean-Juste's attorneys, Bill Quigley).

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Forwarded by the Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/law/lawpress.html
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