Pauvre Lyonel Trouillot !!!

On ne peut être plus démagogue qu’un fumeur de pipe vide!

On ne peut être plus démagogue qu’un fumeur de pipe vide! Il faudra un jour faire une étude sur l’appareil idéologique qui a encadré le paiement de la dette de l’indépendance. Car, des intellectuels francophiles et surtout “faussaires” qui oeuvrent à détourner l’attention du peuple haitien en individualisant ou en privatisant les causes de nos malheurs, cela ne manque pas en Haïti. Ils sont incapables d'analyse sous l’angle des rapports de domination sociale qui transforment notre pays en un enfer où l’exclusion règne sous toutes les formes. En plus de la précarité et de la faim, de l’obsession de mener une vie de Prince sans base économique solide, le manque de caractère transforme nos intellos en laquais de l’oligarchie nationale et des tueurs internationaux d'Etat. J’ai été consterné par l’interview de Laënnec Hurbon sur France24 quand il a présenté le Président Jovenel Moïse comme responsable des gangs en Haïti. Car, depuis 2002, je lis religieusement les livres du Professeur Hurbon sur l’imaginaire collectif, la violence et le pouvoir en Haïti. Alors que dans les livres de recherches auxquels il a participé avec le Professeur André Corten l’approche individualiste sur les questions de pauvreté et de violence est fortement rejetée, déconseillée et même combattue, sur France 24 il a carrément fait du président Jovenel un bouc émissaire. Responsable d'un phénomène transnational qui traverse toute l'Amérique latine. Pourtant, dans le livre “La violence dans l’imaginaire latino-americain”, les chercheurs ont analysé la violence en Amérique latine, donc en Haiti, en constatant que celle-ci joue le role de “régulateur social” enraciné dans l’histoire des colonies esclavagistes. Cette violence existe dans toute les couches de la société, dans les rapports homme/femme, dans la famille : la violence que subissent les enfants, à l'école, dans les communautés, jusqu'au rapports entre classes sociales. Les chercheurs l’ont catégorisé en deux (2) groupes “ Violence des actions” et “violence des situations”, puis les ont décortiqué en utilisant les mots “violence direct ou physique”, “violence institutionnelle - légitime ou abus d’autorité”, “violence structurelle - violence économique, l’exclusion, les privations”, “violence culturelle”, “violence symbolique - les discriminations contre les paysans, indigènes, nègre morne”, la "violence délinquante" considérée comme absence d’ordre rapportée par les médias. Le professeur Hurbon a pris part à ses recherches. Il maîtrise ses concepts. Alors, pourquoi a t-il individualisé le problème faisant de Jovenel Moise le responsable de la violence des gangs en Haiti, contribuant ainsi à la campagne de diabolisation précédant son assassinat? La réponse : Quand l’intellectuel haitien veut faire plaisir aux maîtres du système, il devient méconnaissable. Qu’est-ce qu’on peut retenir du texte de Lyonel Trouillot -- ce démagogue épicurien qui fume une pipe vide? Honnêtement, je ne perds pas mon temps à lire Lyonel Trouillot - Car, le monsieur est un pédant retardé qui tire sa grandeur dans sa capacité à aider les médias français à détruire l’image d’Haiti. Comme récompense, de temps en temps, ont lui offre un prix; ce dispositif de prix fabriqués pour faire croire aux laquais nègres qu’ils ont atteint le niveau d’homme civilisé, qu’ils ne sont plus des indigènes. En somme, ils sont sortis du lot de leurs congénères, ils sont devenus des blancs à peau noire, bien sûr.—- mais, un ami a partagé avec moi son papier limité titré “Pauvre Jovenel” dans lequel il se contredit avec des concepts surannés, cherchant désespérément à manipuler la réalité jusqu’à nous faire croire que le désastre actuel est la faute aux duvalieristes. Donc, lui et ses amis jouisseurs n'y sont pour rien! Tout d’abord, dans son texte, Lyonel Trouillot reconnaît que la “Mort de Jovenel Moïse ne changeait rien.” Étrange révélation pour quelqu’un qui nous disait que Jovenel est responsable de tous les problèmes de ce pays. Si c’était vrai, son absence aurait arrangé les choses. Toujours dans sa stratégie manipulatrice de bouc émissaire, malgré le fait qu'il a effleuré les fondements du problème haitien en affirmant que “la continuité des rapports sociaux produisant trop d’inégalités et d’exclusion, ne pouvaient que produire et reproduire de la dégradation”, il s'est précipité d'indexer le PHTK. Ce point central des rapports sociaux n’a fait l’objet que d’un maigre paragraphe. Le plus important pour Lyonel Trouillot, c’est de parler du PHTK — qui certes a une grande responsabilité dans la situation actuelle du pays — mais qui est le produit des rapports de domination sociale. C’est aussi le cas pour INITE, Fanmi Lavalas et la classe politique en générale, constituée d’organisations politiques qui d’ailleurs pratiquent l’exclusion dans leurs structures internes et acceptent de jouer le rôle de metteurs en scène pour une oligarchie anti-nationale corrompue, dans le cadre d’une "démocratie de présentation". (Dans le livre Etat faible de André Corten. La démocratie sur l'île d'Haïti est devenue un système de présentation qui permet aux élites de présenter au public ce qu’elles ont arrangé en privé. Il n’y pas vraiment de participation populaire.) Toute la contradiction dans le texte de Lyonel Trouillot se trouve dans le fait de reconnaître que Jovenel Moïse menaçait des intérêts du système. Avant il nous disait qu’il était l’homme du système, son discours était démagogique et qu’en réalité il n'attaquera pas le système. Aujourd’hui, il reconnaît qu’il “serait exécuté par des comparses ou des proches ou encore d’anciens partenaires ne pouvant l’accompagner dans une folie qui menace leurs intérêts” Faut-il signaler qu’il a qualifié de FOLIE, la rébellion contre les oligarques corrompus. De plus, ce président qui s’est rebellé, est pour lui un “FANTOCHE”. Il est clair que l’écrivain défend la culture de soumission au système qui domine “l’imaginaire institué” enraciné dès la colonie esclavagiste quand Haïti était colonie française. Un fantoche qui se rebelle jusqu’à menacer les intérêts de ses partenaires, le raisonnement de Lyonel Trouillot est aussi vide que sa pipe. C’est le moins qu’on puisse dire. Pour éviter de parler de sa gauche-démagogique qui a détruit Haïti, Lyonel Trouillot nous présente une hypothétique extrême-droite. En 2016, dans un élan opportuniste, il nous avait dit que Moise Jean-Charles était le candidat de la gauche haïtienne. Donc, aujourd’hui, il semble trouver embarrassant de parler de cette gauche dont Moïse Jean-Charles est le leader, il s’est inventé une extrême-droite. Défaut professionnel d’un écrivain qui sait manier la fiction ou manœuvre déloyale, en tout cas, cela ne cadre pas avec la réalité en Haïti. Tout le monde voit les manœuvres de l'extrême-droite à travers le monde. En Haïti, c’est différent. Car, toutes les personnalités qu’on pourrait accusé d’extreme droite participent à toutes les combines de la gauche-démagogique : Assassinat du président Jovenel, Accord de Montana, Gouvernement de Ariel Henry... Sublime déraison! Selon Lyonel Trouillot, sa gauche-démagogique et épicurienne qui monopolise le pouvoir depuis plus de 30 ans n’a rien à voir avec l’effondrement de l’Etat haitien ni la dé-liaison sociale. C’est la faute aux duvalieristes dont bon nombre sont membres de leur gouvernement. Par exemple, l’un des plus connus des duvalieristes Rony Gilot était l'ami personnel et conseiller de Jocelerme Privert, le président de facto idéalisé par le clan de Lyonel Trouillot. Pathétique! En Haïti les démocrates aiment la transition. Tous les présidents élus ont été combattus par eux. Leur champion c’est Jocelerme Privert et les autres qui distribuent des chèques pour financer des séjours de militants de luxe à Paris. À bien suivre le raisonnement de Lyonel Trouillot, ce sont les duvalieristes qui avaient réclamé un embargo total sur Haïti. Est-ce les duvalieristes qui ont signé l’accord de Paris en 1994, libéralisant l’économie nationale, détruisant l’agriculture, l’industrie nationale, provoquant l’acculturation des jeunes? Est-ce les duvalieristes qui avaient créé l'Armée rouge et les gangs dans les quartiers populaires et/ou populeux? Lyonel Trouillot veut nous faire croire que ce sont les duvalieristes qui avaient liquidé les entreprises publiques sous prétexte de privatisation. L’invasion militaire, la destruction de l’Armée d'Haïti et l’écroulement de toutes les structures de sécurité intérieure et rurale, il est difficile de les mettre sous le compte des duvalieristes. Franchement, ce Lyonel Trouillot est un “Intellectuel faussaire” sans pudeur. Comment peut-on brandir encore les duvalieristes comme une menace pour la démocratie, 30 ans après avoir régné en roi en Haïti, soit après trois décennies d’échecs cumulés? Qu’il aille dire au service secret français et à leurs protégés oligarques : “Cette mission est impossible!” Cette manipulation ne passera pas! La cause du problème en Haïti est le système d’exclusion socio-économique mis en place par les néo-colonialistes à partir de 1822 suite à la mort du Roi Christophe. La France a toujours supporté ce système et même quand en 1986 elle parlait de démocratie en Haïti, c’était sans toucher l’infrastructure économique. Or, il n’y a pas de démocratie sans participation sociale et économique. Une économie de plein emploi et d’accès au crédit constitue l’ultime condition pour la réussite de la démocratie. Démocratie = Participation politique, économique, sociale, culturelle. La démocratie ne peut pas réussir dans un système d’exclusion extrême aussi archaïque comme Haiti avec cette culture de violence, de mépris social, de raciste systémique et d’apartheid économique. A chaque système politique correspond un système économique. Le système économique que nous avons en Haïti n’est pas favorable à la démocratie, mais à la féodalité. Ce n’est pas un hasard si les maîtres du système utilisent aujourd’hui la violence comme régulateur et moyen de contrôle : des mercenaires pour assassiner un Chef d’Etat qui refuse d’obéir, des gangs pour terroriser la population et exclure la souveraineté populaire, réduisant les élections démocratiques à un vote de 52 personnes dans une chambre hotel privé appelé Montana. L’économie néo-féodale monopoliste d’exclusion cherche son corollaire politique : Un pouvoir de nobles et de seigneurs obéissants aveuglément à l’oligarchie corrompue. (Ariel Henry et tous les zombies de ce gouvernement sont incapables d’aborder la vie chère). (Lisez Alvin Toffler : Les nouveaux pouvoirs) C’est démagogique de parler de démocratie en Haïti sans combattre le système économique monopoliste et féodal. On ne peut pas chercher la bonne grâce des oligarques corrompus, gardiens des intérêts néo-coloniaux français en Haïti et parler de la démocratie. C’est démagogique, manipulateur et faussaire! En passant, je conseille à Lyonel Trouillot de consulter le livre “Tyrannie du mérite” de Albin Michel. Cela lui permettra de comprendre le niveau dépassé de ses approches Gauche/Droite. Car, aujourd’hui la Gauche et la Droite se ressemblent et sont au service du marché, de la finance et contre les peuples. Elles acceptent tous les deux la financiarisation de la politique, la marchandisation de la démocratie et de la globalisation. Les élus sont remplacés par des technocrates insensibles, le discours politique n’a plus de sens moral ni historique; les dirigeants politiques sont devenus des affairistes, l’aspiration des masses est remplacée par des statistiques; la justice sociale par le mérite, la sagesse et l'expérience par la diplomanie; la dignité et l’honneur par le pouvoir d’achat. Aujourd’hui, il s’agit d’OUVERTURE et de FERMETURE. Ceux comme vous, qui sont pour l’ouverture débridée, défendent les idées libérales-libertaires et de marchandisation de tout… de l’amour, du patriotisme, de la culture…des organes. Pour eux Haïti n’a pas besoin d’une Armée, il suffit d’être ouvert, d’être prêt à accueillir des troupes étrangères. Mais, c’est cette ouverture qui aujourd’hui a créé cette dé-liaison, l’ingérence internationale excessive qui a détruit les systèmes traditionnels de contrôle social qui empêchait jadis, le banditisme généralisé et les zones de non-droit en Haïti. Les partisans de la fermeture veulent bien corriger les dégâts que vous avez causés. Ils veulent bien échanger avec le monde, mais en concervant l’identité nationale, la dignité d’être un haitien et l’héritage culturel qui ont fait de nous la Première République nègre indépendante, la seule révolution d’esclaves jamais réussie de toute l’histoire de l’humanité. Depuis 1994, les intellectuels et hommes politiques épicuriens comme Lyonel Trouillot ont abandonné les revendications des masses populaires en vue de se faire une santé économique et financière. Ils sont partout à la recherche de leur satisfaction personnelle. Ils ont trahi le peuple haitien et aujourd’hui n’ont aucune légitimité pour nous dire ce que nous devons faire. Ils ont eu leur temps, ils ont échoué piteusement, traînant le pays avec eux. Le temps est à la « reconquête nationale ». La ligne d’action du président Jovenel Moïse est inscrite dans cette vision consistant au renforcement de l’État et ses institutions : EDH, MTPTC, Ministère de l’Agriculture; cet ancien Etat fort qui assurait le nettoyage des villes, la réparation des routes et des canaux d’irrigation, l’ordre public et la sécurité nationale. Son assassinat constitut la confrontation de deux visions, deux approches : Celle d’un Etat faible prôné par la gauche néo-libérale à partir des années 90 et la vision traditionnelle et historique d’un Etat fort équipé et armé assez pour fournir des services et protéger son peuple. On l’a vu lors du tremblement de terre de 2019 dans le Nord-Ouest, le Président Jovenel ne fit appel à aucune force internationale. Les Forces Armées d’Haiti et les Travaux publics d'Haïti étaient sur le terrain pour porter assistance à la population. C’est cette vision d’un État fort qui a fait le succès d'Haïti dans le passé. Mais, elle a été interrompue par des démagogues au service de l’impérialisme néo-libéral qui nous ont fait croire qu’on pouvait tout détruire avec l’espoir que l’international et ses ONGs allaient reconstruire. La “RECONQUÊTE” continuera puisqu'on ne change pas un pays avec une équipe d’irresponsables nihilistes, épicuriens dont l’histoire ne retiendra que le résultat chaotique de son leadership. Comme fumer une pipe vide, cette équipe de petits jouisseurs arrogants prend ses illusions pour la réalité. Résultat, le chaos. C’est toute une nation, qui est menacée d’extermination.

Cyrus Sibert, Cap-Haitien, Haiti
5 Juillet 2022
#LeReCit @ReseauCitadelle
WhatsApp : +509-3686-9669
reseaucitadelle@yahoo.fr
https://reseaucitadelle.blogspot.com

Lisez :

1- Ce qu’il faut retenir de l’Interview ratée de Lyonel Trouillot sur @FranceCulture.-

2- De quel Moise Jean-Charles Antoine Lyonel Trouillot nous parle t-il?

🔴 Stanley Lucas ak Cyrus Sibert LIVE — Notre Invité, le Vice président du Salvador ( @fulloa51 ) sur la lutte contre les gangs.-

Stanley Lucas ak Cyrus Sibert LIVE — Notre Invité, le Vice président du Salvador (

@fulloa51

) sur la lutte contre les gangs.- https://youtu.be/9GZZrRhcqz8 via

@YouTube

🔴 Stanley Lucas ak Cyrus Sibert LIVE ( Dimanche 12 Juin 2022)

My report for the month of June 2022 on COVID-19 and the general situation in Haiti.- (Cyrus Sibert)

PORT AU PRINCE, JUNE 1, 2022 (MIC) -

Haiti’s continuing political turmoil, weakened official institutions, and exponential growth in criminal violence are among the main factors cited as being responsible for the country’s turbulent embrace of the COVID-19 challenge.

At the heart of all of this, some claim, is the country’s disturbing record on human rights. A May 2020 report of the National Network for the Defence of Human Rights (RNDDH), for instance, mentions poor prison conditions, including the plight of prison officers and other staff.“

Incarcerated people live in inhuman and degrading conditions, in spaces cramped, unventilated, dirty and repulsive. The promiscuity in which these people live makes them more vulnerable in front of COVID-19,” the RNDDH concludes.

There have also been questions surrounding the allocation of both domestic and external funding to address needs that have arisen out of the country’s pandemic measures including restrictions on movement and business closures .

By the start of May, a succession of spikes (the highest being recorded in January 2022) had claimed 835 lives and accounted for close to 31,781 confirmed cases.

These are statistics widely suspected to be influenced by a mix of official sloth leading to poor data gathering and a pervasive view, including among the country’s leadership, that Haiti may have escaped the worst early effects of the virus when compared globally.

Official statistics point to a 96.4% survival rate despite the fact that, with 125,323 people being fully vaccinated (two doses), the country ranks as the country with the lowest vaccinate rate in the Americas at 0.6% of the vaccinable population.

On April 14, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) advised the general population, and the airline industry, that mask-wearing is optional outdoors but remained mandatory indoors in closed and air-conditioned environments.

“Mask wearing”: Translation: It is an obligation to wear a mask in a closed room or air conditioner.

Hand washing remained in effect to access public and private institutions and private companies. Social distancing guidelines were clearly defined and vaccination requirements have been imposed for incoming airline passengers.

It has been difficult to determine actual state expenditure on pandemic measures and attempts to interview officials and secure documentation have been unsuccessful.However, state actions since 2020 have included: declaration of a health emergency; the closure of schools, industrial parks and places of worship; and a shutdown, at one stage, of international transportation. 

There have also been curfews, establishment of a Scientific Council to advise the government on pandemic measures and the strengthening of cooperation with the adjoining Dominican Republic including controls on the land border. 

Haiti Ministers:  No masks in evidence as the Minister of Health meets with his team. (Credit photo: Facebook page of the Ministry of Health MSPP)

Masks have also been supplied from a number of sources and include an order of 18.5 million masks from Haitian companies with accompanying tax reliefs and authorisation to resume their activities. 

Some medical supplies were produced locally, and food support was extended to some neighbourhoods. An additional 60,000 helpers for the medical system were hired. Financial support was also extended to 100,000 teachers and university professors. 

International aid included a contribution of 100,000 masks and seven thermal cameras from Taiwan and US$16.1 Millions in financial support from the United States.

China chipped in with a donation of 21 oxygen generators and 136 artificial respirators. India also made several contributions.

By June 23, 2020, 26 COVID-19 care sites had been set up. The Association of Haitian Pharmacists also produced more than 94,754 litres of alcohol-based liquids (hand sanitiser) and assisted with the distribution of close to 23 million masks. State interventions have, however come in for strident criticisms from some quarters. The Centre for Analysis and Research on Human Rights” (CARDH), for example, summarised the operations of the government as being in “violation of the principles of human rights and (an example of) bad governance.”

The organisation criticised the arbitrary release of prisoners under the pretext of the “decongestion” of the prison system. There were also the arrests of numerous journalists and other media workers for breach of curfew regulations. CARDH has also pointed to what it has described as “a lack of results for the funds disbursed.” As an example, the organisation analysed a contract signed with the company Bowang Co. Ltd/ChinaXuXia for the acquisition of sanitary materials in China.

It concluded that the transaction was executed “in violation of the laws on public procurement.” CARDH has argued that the contract was in contravention of public procurement laws. 

It has claimed that the National Public Procurement Commission had been unaware of the transaction. Also, despite the existence of the Commercial Representative of China in Haiti, the administration of Jovenel Moïse hired an intermediary company for the disbursement of 18 million dollars without guarantee. 

As evidence, CARDH provided a bank account which received the money transferred to the Chinese firm.The last public accounting for COVID-19 financing also dates back to January 2021. Mention was made then of several contracts executed by the government.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry

It also detailed expenditure to offset subsidies extended by the Ministries of Education, Environment, Public Health and Public Works, subsidies to the National Police, the Waste Management Service (SNCRS), Economic and Social Assistance (FAES) for food support, worker subsidies, and cash transfer by mobile phone to families in difficulty. 

There have also been grants for non-public schools; the purchase of sanitary products, cleaning tools, water, awareness materials, fuel, medical and sanitary materials and equipment, transport; purchase of masks, and salaries.

The 2021 report also said that 319,959 households had, up to then, benefited from transfers from the government. Questions about the distribution of contracts however lingered. In September 2021, the government decided to revise the national budget. As justification, the Ministry of Finance cited “a tense socio-political climate and an economic situation marked by the effects of repetitive crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, structural deficiency highlighted by the Covid-19 health crisis and situations of internal unrest.”

The government says it has prepared a Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan (PREPOC 2020-2023) for the next 3 years, with the objective of stabilisation and economic recovery. 

The revised budget pointed to a difficult macroeconomic outlook, declining trade, lower tax revenues compared to fiscal year 2018-2019, significant slowdown in economic activity, and fluctuations in the exchange rate.’ Included in the measures announced was a “cash transfer programme (CASH)” to vulnerable households and a “project to combat food insecurity.”The budget document also pointed to a US$5,404,287.60 donation from the IDB, and a US$1,097,738.78, transfer from the World Bank. 

The World Bank also contributed US$ 3,728,958.45 toward the creation of a “primary health care network in areas of difficult access.” (Note, there will be minor variations in exchange rate calculations). No expenditure report for these funds has, however, been made publicly available by the Ministry of Finance. In a May 10 speech at a meeting with businessmen, the Minister of Finance Patrick Boivert also announced a new budget to “address social, security and reconstruction of the southern peninsula devastated by the earthquake of August 14, 2021.” There was no mention of COVID-19.

Haitian officials all appear to be operating in post-COVID-19 mode. With the low rates of infections, hospitalisations and deaths recorded by state institutions, and in an atmosphere of scepticism on the part of the population, little attention is being paid to the performance of health care institutions. 

The suspension of parliament has meant there has been little, informed public debate on the subject. There is however a view that the pandemic has brought additional funds into the state coffers that have not been subject to a high level of scrutiny. In the meantime, the situation for most citizens has worsened considerably over the past two years. There is double-digit inflation -- 27.3%) and rising –- and the incessant fall of the national currency against the dollar, in a country that imports almost everything. The consequence has been exorbitant price increases on most necessities.

Some agencies have reported food crises in selected communities with one in three people reliant on food aid, and a lack of access to drinking water and adequate sanitation. 

The virtual shutdown of tourist activities due to rising violence linked to the political crisis has added to the woes. 

Back in 2020, Dominique Dupuy, an entrepreneur in the Haitian tourism sector, explained, during a webinar that many hotel owners were threatened with bankruptcy because of the bank loans to be paid in the context of a complete cessation of activities. There has also been precious little from the current Ariel Henry administration regarding public policy interventions to combat the prohibitive cost of living. 

The government has accordingly been the focus of sharp public reaction against a series of austerity measures including the suspension of gas subsidies. The worsening situation is said to contribute to an environment conducive to delinquency, banditry and therefore the multiplication and success of gangs. 

As a consequence, the informal sector of the economy which represents the survival space of the poorest is being paralysed by insecurity. 

Residents and businesses in several neighbourhoods are forced to take refuge elsewhere. This is the case in the area of Martissant and Croix des Bouquets (South and North entrances of the capital). This area has been occupied by armed gangs who have been kidnapping, extorting, looting, raping and killing for several months. This prevents the movement of goods and foodstuffs between provincial towns and the Haitian capital. In 2021, some 102,448 people were recorded as being internally displaced. Among them, 44,450 refugees were deported to Haiti and 58,000 displaced inside the country due to heightened insecurity (19,000) and following the earthquake in the South (39,000). With the consequences of the war in Ukraine on the world economy, the rising price of cereals, basic products for the poor the situation does not appear set to improve. In March, the economic growth was registered at -1.8% with population growth of 1.34% according to the report of the IHSI (Haitian Institute of Statistics). 

Also, the IHSI registered a 36.2% year-on-year increase in imports compared against 20.2% for local products. None of the country’s geographical regions has escaped the pangs of skyrocketing inflation. The “post-pandemic” period, if it does exist, does not offer much optimism.

https://www.mediainstituteofthecaribbean.com/haiti

🔴 Stanley Lucas ak Cyrus Sibert LIVE (29 Mai 2022)

🔴 Stanley Lucas ak Cyrus Sibert LIVE -- Analyse hebdomadaire de la conjoncture en Haiti sur @tripotaylakay (29 Mai 2022)

https://youtu.be/fXB4fBEw-uk via @YouTube

MIC's COVID-19 MONITORING HUB — FEBRUARY 2022.-

PORT AU PRINCE, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 (MIC) -

In this instalment from correspondent, Cyrus Sibert in Haiti, he interviews Dr Ernst Robert Jasmin, North Departmental Director of the Ministry of Public Health. The interview was conducted in Haitian Creole.

Dr Ernst Robert Jasmin

The current situation

 In early January, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopted a Level 4 Travel Warning against Haiti advising that travellers avoid the country “due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and COVID-19”. 

 This was a very high-level advisory widely expected to impact the economy of the country. 

 Since December 2021, Haiti has been facing what has been described as a “fever epidemic” that affects the majority of the population. According to testimonies, the whole country is affected by this disease which seems seasonal but whose symptoms curiously resemble the Coronavirus. 

 Due to the small number of people tested, the statistics on this latter disease remain low. It should be noted that this wave of fever corresponds in timeline to the spread of the Omicron variant. 

 Accustomed to fever epidemics, the majority of the Haitians people see nothing new and continue to go about their business without being worried.

 It is in this context that the Ministry of Public Health reported recently: 153 new cases for 577 new tests, 0 deaths; 12 new hospitalisations; 89% of people are already cured. 

 Overall, a total of 176,038 tests have been administered, there have been 30,162 confirmed cases, 814 deaths, 5,408 people hospitalised and 25,152 people cured. In percentage terms: positivity rate 17.13%, fatality rate 2.70%.

 By mid-February, 149,814 people have received a first vaccine dose; 81,790 received their 2nd dose; 341 had a single dose vaccine and 99,237 people were fully vaccinated.

 According to our observations, based on the statistics, between the report of January 2022 and that of February 14, 2022, statistical differences in confirmed COVID-19 cases coincide with the so-called “fever epidemic.”

 Over this period, there have been 20,233 tests, 3,358 new confirmed cases, 34 deaths, 377 people hospitalised and 1,375 new people who have recovered from the virus.

The growth in confirmed cases

The low medical coverage and the insignificant quantity of tests carried out, combined with the scepticism of the Haitian population regarding the existence of COVID-19, have prevented experts from having a real idea of the scale of the impact in Haiti.

 It should also be noted that February 4, 2022, marked the third year since a case of cholera was first recorded in Haiti. Public authorities are now celebrating what they consider to be a victory over a disease imported into Haiti by MINUSTAH soldiers. 

 Since its introduction in 2010, cholera has infected more than 819,000 people and claimed nearly 10,000 lives.

 

The impact of the Coronavirus on the Haitian health system.

 If COVID-19 has since its appearance caused an overflow and extreme pressure on health and hospital care systems around the world, in Haiti it has had the opposite effect and there is even a claim that it have been certain positive aspects. This can be surmised from an interview with Dr Ernst Robert Jasmin, North Departmental Director of the Ministry of Public Health.

 Translation of our interview with Dr Ernest Jasmin:

 “The appearance of COVID-19 caused a lot of stress at the beginning, taking into account what we observed in developed countries and big cities like New York. Because our capacity of care is modest, we had to cancel a lot of activities and direct our resources towards the management of COVID-19.

 In a context where we did not have enough equipment and the health personnel were afraid of the disease, there was a form of fear. The population was worried and expected the worst. But, with what we have, we had to face it. Thus, the Ministry of Health provided some support and some of our institutions were 60% ready to deal with the disease.

Dr Ernest Jasmin agreed to be interviewed by MIC

The Haitian Ministry of Public Health's Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan gives a detailed idea of the preparations.

 Unlike other countries, paradoxically, we have recorded a drop in patients at the level of healthcare institutions. At the beginning the population had (avoided) the health institutions in order not to be tested. 

 Why?

 People were afraid that their illness would be called COVID-19. So many of our compatriots preferred not to know their real condition.

 In addition, the epidemic caused a drop in attendance for other programmes such as: Child Health, Maternal Health, Routine Vaccination, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis. Patients of all kinds fled hospitals for fear of contracting the disease in health centres.

 Later, scepticism around COVID-19 vaccines caused a lot of fear. People were afraid of being vaccinated without their knowledge. All injections were refused. This has negatively affected traditional vaccination campaigns against other diseases. We had to insist and convince the patients that it had nothing to do with COVID-19.

 Health workers had to innovate to be able to continue to provide HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients with their drugs, without forcing them to enter hospitals. Rumours about COVID-19 and fake news significantly diminished patient confidence.

 At the level of medical personnel, the rate of absenteeism is high, especially among the elderly or those at high risk.

 The most common illnesses for which people go to hospital more easily, such as acute respiratory illnesses, have also seen a considerable drop. Still, health officials hope to observe these specific cases to assess and study the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the country.

 There was a refusal to undergo tests.

 Also, COVID-19 has caused the death of some health workers. Usually, we do not publish the list, but we have lost several co-workers.

 On the positive side, this epidemic has strengthened the capacities of the systems. The epidemiological surveillance system is strengthened. Border control has improved.

 There have been additions of equipment at the private or public level, training for staff who have become more experienced. The preparations and aid received to deal with COVID-19 have led to the strengthening of the hygiene and sanitation system within health institutions.

 It's like cholera. This epidemic has considerably changed some hygiene habits which has a considerable impact on the spread of other diseases contracted by microbes in the intestine. 

 For example, the rate of cases of typhoid, intestinal parasitosis has dropped considerably. This is to explain certain correlations that exist between epidemics.

 So, even when there are not many proven and certified cases, the preparations and changes brought about by information, education and communication campaigns can have effects on the spread or dissemination of other diseases.

 Between December 2021 and the end of January 2022, the country has experienced a seasonal flu epidemic. Among those sick with this flu, the Ministry of Health has observed a modest increase in cases of COVID-19. Modest in number compared to other countries but serious in rate.

 Unfortunately, if the fight against cholera had caused a change in behaviour, for COVID-19 we observe resistance on the part of the population.

 The recent flu epidemic is proof of this. For instance, all Haitian families have had a member who has been a victim of flu or fever during the last two months.

But people do not quarantine themselves. There is no provision to protect people in their environment. The refusal to wear a mask is a real problem. People consider the mask as an obstacle to free speech including Creole expression "babouket" (knot around the mouth of horses or donkeys to easily dominate them). Haitians don't like it. So, if there is a serious variant of the COVID-19 virus, there would be carnage in Haiti.

Mask wearing is the exception rather than the norm.

Are you sure it is not the new OMICRON variant?

 Doctor Jasmin replied:

There is a testing problem in Haiti because it is not systematic. In Haiti, the test rate is extremely low. Therefore, the number of cases identified is also low. And it surely gives a false appearance of reality. The population's refusal to undergo a COVID-19 test is one of the major obstacles for the health system to accurately determine the overall reality of COVID-19 in Haiti.

 The aid received by the Haitian government has made it possible to strengthen health centres with protective equipment for staff, hospital beds, and oxygen. Above all, an oxygen generator to fill the oxygen tanks was provided by the Ministry of Health.

 Insecurity posed a problem in terms of supply. Sometimes trucks had to face difficulties related to gangs and political unrest. Therefore, being able to produce oxygen on site was essential.

 The Ministry of Health has hired additional technicians to deal with the epidemic.

 All other services continue to provide health care to the population. Patients have begun to return to the health centres for the usual cases: high blood pressure, diabetes, dialysis, cardiology, maternity, childcare, other chronic pathologies or general medicine.

 There was no discrimination between private and public institutions. They are all part of the care system. Even when there were not specialized care centres for COVID-19, the other centres received the necessary monitoring equipment with instructions to refer patients to hospitals.

 In terms of overall lethality, he claims to have observed an increase in funerals in some cities across the country. The Ministry of Public Health has statistics on deaths in health centers. Other deaths can be traced through municipal records. But there are still many undeclared funerals in remote parts of the country. He pointed this out to funeral directors who confirm that they have observed an increase in non-violent deaths in the country.

 There is no H1N1 epidemic in Haiti. Only a flu epidemic that seems to be seasonal, and we cannot say specifically that it is H1N1.

 Even without a high number of recorded cases, COVID-19 has changed several medical practices in Haiti. Preparations, staff training and observation of the behaviour of the population allow us to say that we are better prepared than before. 

 He reported that herbal medicine serves as a means of defence for the population. There is a kind of community solidarity that allows the population to share their experience and knowledge in terms of using herbs against the symptoms, to strengthen their immune defence.

 It is a pity that we will not have carried out a study on this aspect in order to list the leaves and the recipes used during this period. We could verify their chemical composition in the laboratory and document their method of use.

 Still, the population believes in the medicinal capacity of these herbs and has made them an object of exchange and solidarity.

An empty isolation room at the Justinien Hospital in Cap-Haitien

Regarding the vaccination programme against COVID-19, it's still ongoing. There was a shortage of Moderna vaccine stock in December. The government just received new doses of Pfizer and Jenssen which are available. WHO has approved interchangeability between vaccines. People who had their first dose with Moderna can receive their 2nd dose with Pfizer or Jenssen. 

 However, my concern is that the COVID-19 vaccination will affect other vaccination programs. Because, contrary to the criticisms of the sceptics, humanity has made a lot of progress thanks to vaccination. Serious epidemics are brought under control thanks to vaccination. Considering the fear that exists against COVID-19 vaccines, I would hate to see this drive people away and decrease the number of children vaccinated for other diseases.

 This interview with Dr Jasmin allowed us to understand the refusal of other health centre managers to be interviewed. He said:

 “As a Hospital Manager serving the population in the centre of the country, I do not see how I can say COVID-19 has negative consequences on my hospital. We do not provide care, we only test people with symptoms, in the vast majority of cases, they are negative. The few proven cases have been referred to the care centres.”

 COVID-19 has impacted the Haitian health system by the invisible nature of its shadow hanging over Haiti and the refusal of its population to believe in it. All ofthis is in contradiction with international recommendations.

Video recording of the interview with Dr Jasmin:

https://www.mediainstituteofthecaribbean.com/haiti

Hell on earth - Haitian football federation were forced to have sex with visiting football officials.-

For two decades players, referees and employees of the Haitian football federation were forced to have sex with visiting football officials. One of the visitors who accepted this “gift”, was the then @FIFAcom president Sepp Blatter.-

By Romain Molina For almost two decades, leading officials at the Haitian football association (FHF) built a vast network of sexual exploitation. This included rape of teenage girls and boys, abortions, blackmail and death threats. According to Haitian court documents in Josimar’s possession, at least one victim has committed suicide. The Fifa Goal Centre of La-Croix-des-Bouquets was like “hell on earth” according to victims. Concacaf or Fifa delegations visiting Haiti to attend refereeing courses or to inspect the progress of the Fifa Goal Centre were offered a player, a referee or an employee to have sex with. Some of football’s most senior officials, including Sepp Blatter, took advantage of this system. “You came to Haiti, you received a girl from the federation at your hotel. This is how it worked,” says the former captain of the national team and president of the players’ union, Ernso Laurence. He is one of the few who has spoken publicly about what went on inside FHF. ”I’ve been fighting against former president (Yves Jean-Bart) and his corrupt administration since 2007. I’ve spoken about all kinds of abuses, including the sexual ones.“ After a Guardian investigation, Yves Jean-Bart (74), was banned for life by Fifa in november 2020 for sexual abuse of 14 players, many of them minors. “Mr Jean-Bart’s behaviour is simply inexcusable, a disgrace for any football official,” said Vassilios Skouris, chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s Ethics Committee. “Whilst claiming he was developing Haitian football, in particular women’s competitions and teams, Mr Jean-Bart did the exact opposite – he abused his position in order to satisfy his personal attitude of domination over the most fragile people, destroying the careers and lives of young promising female players.” “The Ranch” At the Fifa Goal Centre – known as “The Ranch” – some of the best young Haitian players, girls and boys, lived, trained and went to school from the age of 14. Dreaming of becoming professional footballers, these teenagers left their families to pursue their goal. The majority of the players came from some of the financially worst off families in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. Today, several of these once promising players make their living as prostitutes after their experiences at “The Ranch”. When becoming part of the training programme, they had to surrender their passports to FA president Jean-Bart. From day one Jean-Bart held leverage over the vulnerable children who believed they were on their way to a career within the game they loved. “The only thing we knew was the centre and nothing outside of it. It was easy for him to manipulate and brainwash the young girls,” says one of the victims to Josimar. “Football is maybe the only option for these kids to make it out of extreme poverty,” remarks the former captain Ernso Laurence. “That was the leverage ‘Dadou’ (Jean-Bart’s nickname) held. With it, he could get what he wanted.” If you wanted to travel with the national team and obtain a US visa, a dream for millions of Haitians, Jean-Bart and his administration asked you for something in return. Most of the time, sex. “Our passports were confiscated all the time. That’s how they kept us. They took our passports, they blackmailed us for visas, for everything,” explains a former resident at “The Ranch”. “It was a nightmare. Our parents had to give us help but we couldn’t tell them the truth. We were also their hope for a better future.” So far 34 victims, many of them minors, have been identified. Compared to a ‘cartel organisation’ in a 45-page report by Fifa’s Ethics Committee, this system involved many predators and accomplices, like Rosnick Grant, president of the FHF’s referees commission and banned for life by Fifa for sexual abuse in july 2021. A report by Fifpro identified ten perpetrators. According to the survivors, at least twenty FHF employees were directly involved – as predators and/or facilitators. “What I don’t understand is how Fifa didn’t see what was happening,” says one of Jean-Bart’s victims. “We’re talking about two decades of abuse. It was an open secret in Haiti. How and why did Concacaf and Fifa close their eyes? It was impossible not to know.” As another victim points out: “They closed their eyes because they received girls when they came to visit us. It’s as simple as that. It was an entire system.” Boys and girls raped at the Fifa centre As already reported by Josimar, Rosnick Grant used young Haitian referees as sexual gifts for several Concacaf and Fifa officials, like Ronald Gutiérrez, the former director of development of referees at Fifa. For Jean-Bart, it was different. “He didn’t like to share the girls,” recalls one of his victims. “He was very jealous. He wanted us only for himself and his sexual impulses.” Jean-Bart did make an exception for a dear old friend, Sepp Blatter. “He loved president Blatter very much,” says a former board member of FHF. “He called him his personal friend.” They had known each other for years. Sepp Blatter was first elected Fifa president in 1998 and two years later, Yves Jean-Bart became president of the FHF. Over the years the two developed a close relationship. Since the very beginning of Blatter’s tenure, Haiti and its federation’s president were cherished by Zurich. The FHF was also one of the first federations to receive funds from the Goal programme. In April 2002, a ceremony was held to mark the completion of the first phase of the new Fifa Goal Centre, which included an administrative office, an auditorium with seating for 300 and a dormitory for up to 32 players in 16 air-conditioned rooms. It was in this centre, financed by Fifa at the cost of almost 1.5 million euro, that Yves Jean-Bart raped some of Haiti’s the most promising teenagers. According to court documents in Josimar’s possession, the former sports minister, Evans Lescouflair, along with other coaches under FHF contract, raped underage boys at the centre. “The three months I spent there were a nightmare,” recalls one of the victims who officially complained against Lescouflair and other FHF officials. “I was 14 when it happened. I ran away one night with some of my friends. I didn’t have a choice.” Evans Lescouflair has been accused by several underage alleged rape victims, including the family of a former youth international who committed suicide after having been sexually abused by the former sports minister. On Thursday 12 May, Lescouflair was summoned by a Port-au-Prince court, but didn’t show up. His lawyer wrote a letter saying his client was overseas for health reasons. However, Jacques Lafontant, Haiti’s government commissioner, issued an arrest warrant against him for raping children and other counts of sexual assault. “On this matter, everything happened at the ranch,” says Franck Vaneus, one of the lawyers of the victims, to Josimar. “The boys were facing a network of abusers there.” Whilst underage boys and girls were raped repeatedly at the centre, Yves Jean-Bart received the special Fifa Presidential Award in December 2004. Acknowledged for “his dedication,” he was also praised for organising a friendly game against Brazil the same year as a way “to bring together people and fight against discrimination in all its guises.” In 2011, after the terrible earthquake that killed more than 220 000 people and destroyed a large part of the country in 2010, the Haitian U17 women’s team received the Fifa fair play award in Zurich. Jean-Bart received the trophy, smiling together with the captain of the U17 squad at the time, Hayana Jean-François, a player that was one of many that was deprived of bonuses and had her passport seized by the federation. Three months later, in an interview with CNN, Jean-Bart claimed that 32 of the 50 people present at the national headquarters died during the earthquake In reality, only two FHF employees died, including the U17 coach, Jean-Yves Labaze. Sepp Blatter and Fifa didn’t say a word about the false claims and instead gave Jean-Bart more than 3 million US dollars to rebuild the federation. Blatter’s homage to Jean-Bart Former journalist, doctor and owner of Radio Galaxie, Yves Jean-Bart became one of the most powerful men in Haiti thanks to the beautiful game. “Football gives you access and political connections like no other sport,” comments Ernso Laurence. “You can’t imagine what it represents for us. Haiti is mad about football, absolutely mad. Jean-Bart knew that and with Fifa on his side, he was untouchable.” Jean-Bart had enjoyed a good relationship with the former president of the country, the late René Preval. In 2011 Michel Martelly was elected president and he wanted Jean-Bart ousted from the Haitian FA. “It wasn’t a secret that Martelly wanted to get rid of him,” says Pierre Richard Midy, an investigative Haitian journalist living in exile in South America after receiving death threats. “He didn’t like the way Jean-Bart was handling the federation. Jean-Bart was acting like a dictator who always wanted more money. Martelly didn’t like his attitude.” According to three presidential advisers at the time, Martelly personally asked them to find enough evidence to make a strong judicial case against Jean-Bart. Feeling the pressure, Jean-Bart asked Fifa for help on the grounds of political interference. So, in April 2013, during Sepp Blatter’s trip to Haiti, he paid a visit to president Martelly to “defend at all costs the work done” by Jean-Bart and his federation. Pressuring the state, Sepp Blatter even asked the government to give financial help to the FHF and appease the tensions. “Martelly knew he couldn’t do anything after that”, recalls one of his advisers. “Otherwise Haiti would be suspended for political interference and he couldn’t face it. It could’ve led to huge protests against him and his government.” Talking to the local press, Sepp Blatter heaped praise on Yves Jean-Bart, describing him “as not only a great doctor, but also a great president […] In the moments of turbulence in Haitian football in the last couple of years, it was necessary to be a good doctor to have the tenacity, that faith in the future, that formidable and exceptional energy, and that’s why I pay homage to you, Yves Jean-Bart.” Blue pills for the president

Before Sepp Blatter’s visit to the Fifa Goal Centre, Jean-Bart summoned all personnel and players. “It happened a week before,” remembers a former female youth international. “Every time a delegation came, we were summoned by the president. He gave us specific instructions about what we had to say in case anyone asked us a question. We needed to say that ‘Dadou’ treated us well, that he was like a father to us and that we needed more money to improve the centre. ‘Dadou’ used us as a way to earn money also.” The federation called cleaners to polish the centre, hiding evidence of dirt, mould and collapsed walls. “I don’t know where the money went because we lived in a pigsty,” former residents tell Josimar. “We didn’t have sanitary towels, for the love of God. I’m not talking about the toilets because they weren’t clean either most of the time […] Some days, we ate once a day, a shitty meal, whereas the directors had really nice food. But when Concacaf or Fifa came, they made sure we all ate well and everything was clean. Especially when president Blatter came. It was a special moment for all of us and ‘Dadou’ was very clear about the way we had to behave.” Housed at the Oasis Hotel in Pétion-Ville, a western-style neighbourhood of the capital, Sepp Blatter greeted the staff and some players. Yves Jean-Bart was standing beside his dear friend “president Blatter”, as he liked to call him. The girls were smiling, and a promise of new Fifa funds emerged. Everything worked according to plan, and Jean-Bart would order a “present” for his good friend from Switzerland. “‘Dadou’ ordered an employee to pay a visit to Blatter at his hotel,” recalls an upper-echelon member of the federation. “He basically told her to sleep with him. It was an order. She hesitated because she was afraid of her husband’s reaction. ‘Dadou’ didn’t understand that she could defy his authority, but he asked another woman. She agreed. She didn’t really have a choice.” Yves Jean-Bart asked a member of the federation’s medical team to buy blue pills for Fifa’s president. That night an employee at FHF spent the night with Sepp Blatter at the Oasis Hotel. “‘Dadou’ was so proud of it,” remembers the member of the medical staff who brought the blue pills. “He told the story to everyone using the name of the employee even when she was next to him. He said ’President Blatter loves Haitian women! He loves Haitian women! I got one for him’.” Contacted by Josimar, the employee denied knowing Sepp Blatter personally. However, after sending a picture of them together – meaning that Blatter knew perfectly well she was an employee and not a stranger – she admitted to having “a great fondness for him […] We met at a conference, I remember now.” She also denied any relations or orders given by Jean-Bart. “Mr Jean-Bart is a great man. He would never do such a thing. I don’t understand why you’re talking about him. He’s an honest man.” Three of Jean-Bart’s victims responded to this statement with the following: “It’s not a surprise because she’s one of Jean-Bart’s biggest accomplices.” The auditor also received girls Alerted more than a year ago of this system of sexual exploitation, Fifa didn’t open any investigation against Sepp Blatter or Yvon Avry, the Frenchman sent to Haiti in 2011 by Fifa to verify if everything was in order at the centre. “He slept with several of my teammates,” a disgusted former youth international says. “He slept with us! Fifa sent someone to check on us and he ended up having sex with the players that ‘Dadou’ gave him.” Like Blatter, Yvon Avry received the girls on Jean-Bart’s orders. “It was a way to close the eyes on everything that was going on there,” a coach points out. “Like everyone else, I can’t speak publicly because the country is too dangerous and these people are too dangerous.” A gangster only known as Bozom visited Jean-Bart and the centre regularly. With a gun visible in his pocket he came to collect money, and shared laughs with the boss. “We were terrified,” a victim of other FHF officials says. “It was a place… it was a place where it was normal to be raped. Some of my friends are now prostitutes or junkies because they have been broken.” Recently, Dulia Dupont, a former right-hand of Yves Jean-Bart, attacked the FHF doctor Martial Bénech for facilitating an abortion in 2015. A 15-year-old girl had become pregnant after being raped at “The Ranch”. Five months into her pregnancy, she had an abortion. “How dare you still be there, docteur Bénech, after sending her to the abortion clinic?” she asked furiously. Martial Bénech is still an employee at FHF, travelling with the national team. Just like the secretary general Carlo Marcelin, who covered up Jean-Bart’s crimes, the former technical director Wilner Etienne, accused in a Guardian investigation of raping minors, and Fenelus Guerrier, the former executive secretary, accused of sexually blackmailing girls in exchange for US visas. None of these individuals have been banned by Fifa. “This is maybe the biggest scandal in Fifa’s history, but no one is paying attention,” a victim of four different officials says. “Otherwise, they would suspend at least 20 or 25 officials. For me, Fifa is as complicit as the others. They let ‘Dadou’ and Grant abuse us, like the others, because they also received girls. I risked my life and I’m still at risk. What did Fifa do to help me? What did Fifa do by letting Carlo Marcelin and the others stay? What’s the point of all this?” Since The Guardian published its first investigation in April 2020, Fifa has repeatedly been told about the widespread abuse inside Haiti. Victims, witnesses, Fifpro, Human Rights Watch, everyone warned Fifa about the risks players and whistleblowers take. The Ethics Committee, along with Mario Gallavotti, senior adviser to Gianni Infantino and former director of Fifa’s independent committees, and Joyce Cook, who until April of this year was Fifa’s chief social responsibility and education officer, has been overseeing Fifa’s investigations into Haiti since 1 May 2020. But two years after the investigation started, victims have become increasingly frustrated with Fifa. Football’s governing body has lost the confidence of the majority of the survivors. One of the victims even thought of taking her own life because of Fifa’s negligence and refusal to act. No investigative team was sent to Haiti except an ad hoc panel chosen by Gallavotti. The panel included Jacques Letang, one of the best friends of Yves Jean-Bart’s lawyer, Stanley Gaston. At the time, Fifpro questioned Letang’s suitability.

“We received information we believe to be credible that he had on at least one occasion mixed in the same social circle as Mr Jean-Bart,” said the world players’ union in a statement. “Fifa informed us that it had conducted extensive due diligence on Mr Letang and it remained confident that he has no ties to Mr Jean-Bart.” There wasn’t any extensive due diligence according to Josimar’s sources. In January 2021 Fifa appointed a normalisation committee. The following month Jacques Letang was appointed chairman, alongside members Monique Andre and Yvon Severe. In March Jacques Letang on behalf of the FHF made a 51 000 US dollars payment to a travel agency based in Florida, Pleasure Travel and Logistics, to book plane tickets for the national team. The agency, registered in Florida to Diamy Camacho and Jenny Nunez, is in reality controlled by Miguel Trujillo, a former agent banned for life by Fifa in 2018 for match-fixing, and Jean-Bart’s own son, Yves-Robert, who also was part of the federation and has never been sanctioned by Fifa. Multiple sources say Jean-Bart is still running the federation from the shadows, despite his ban. His own people are still at the FHF. “It’s a shame, right,” an international player tells Josimar. “Nothing has changed.” Today the academy is closed and Jean-Bart’s people are still there threatening people who want to speak up. “I’ll be honest with you, we’ve already prepared your coffin because I’m personally going to crack your skull open,” said one text message sent to a victim. “Everyone knew” “Since May 2020, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has interviewed more then a dozen male and female survivors of sexual abuse in Haiti. We collected evidence of systemic human rights abuses in Haitian football, including confiscation of players’ passports, labour right abuses, grooming child athletes for sexual exploitation, and threats to kill witnesses and survivors. These survivors – many of them children at the time of the abuse – uniformly say ‘everyone knew, everyone knew about the sexual abuse and did nothing to help us players’,” says Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at HRW. “Athletes, referees and women employed by football federations have a right to a safe work environment, and not to be abused, coerced, or exploited by the Haitian federation leaders or visiting Fifa officials, “ Minky Worden of HRW says. ”If true, Fifa and Haitian authorities need to investigate these complaints immediately, and prosecute anyone in the Fifa hierarchy who participated in it or knew about sexual abuse of children and athletes. There must be a survivor-centred justice process. Fifa has a duty to care for anyone harmed on its operations.” According to survivors and witnesses Josimar has spoken to, Fifa isn’t willing to properly investigate what the teenagers at the Fifa Goal Centre went through. Employees like Mickelange Pierre, one of Jean-Bart’s most active accomplices, are still working for the FHF. She bought underwear for the girls and convinced them to sleep with Jean-Bart. According to a message seen by Josimar, Mario Gallavotti said “she wasn’t important” and “left”. Mickelange Pierre is on the list of witnesses who will give testimony in Jean-Bart’s favour at his CAS appeal. She has not been sanctioned. Neither have the doctors working for the federation who sent the girls to have abortions, nor Concacaf or Fifa officials who had sex with employees, players or referees. Fifa’s response

In the decision taken on 18 November 2020 by the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee of Fifa, they acknowledged Jean-Bart had implemented a system of facilitators and accomplices who made the abuse possible. “Another aspect the panel would like to refer to in the respective conduct of Mr Jean-Bart is the use of accomplices, proxies and facilitators, who would aid him in implementing the despicable system of abuse within the Centre and FHF,” the report says. Josimar sent the following questions to Fifa: Does FIFA plan to expand the Haïti investigation to include other officials? FIFA has for over a year been aware of Sepp Blatter receiving “sexual gifts “ – an employee in his case – from Yves Jean-Bart in Haiti. Have you opened an investigation into this? If not, will you investigate him? Which FIFA position did Yvon Avry hold? Mr Gallavotti has told us Avry only was under contract at the time. Will FIFA investigate him? Fifa didn’t answer the concrete questions, but instead returned with a statement that can “be attributed to a spokesperson”: “First of all, FIFA takes any allegation reported to it very seriously. FIFA encourages anyone who is aware of abuse or unethical behaviour in connection to football matters to immediately report it to through our confidential whistle-blowing hotline BKMS. For further information on BKMS, please link HERE. “Please note that as a general policy, the independent Ethics Committee does not comment on whether or not investigations are underway into alleged cases. As usual, any information the Ethics Committee may like to share will be communicated at their discretion. “When it comes to misconduct in football, we would like to reiterate that FIFA’s position is clear: anyone found guilty of misconduct and abuse in football shall be brought to justice, sanctioned and removed from the game.” Josimar sent several questions to Sepp Blatter through his spokesperson Thomas Renggli. We have yet to receive a reply. Josimar sent several questions to Yvon Avry. He has not replied. This is the fourth instalment in a series of articles about sexual abuse in football. If you have any knowledge about sexual abuse, please get in touch with Romain Molina using romainmolina@protonmail.com http://josimarfootball.com/hell-on-earth/#.YoZYohzuOC0.twitter

https://josimarfootball.com/hell-on-earth/