International Civilian Mission in Haiti Makes a Lasting Impact.

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have been staunchly committed to protecting Haiti citizens from human rights abuses for many years. There are many injustices in the world. Recently, we've heard news about U.S veterans being denied proper health care by its own government. Well, Doug and Carrie Melvin fought their own battle - this one in Haiti. Doug’s wife Carrie talks about the entrance of the U.S. Special Forces team, led by Doug, and their impact on the Haitian conflict.

U.S. Special Forces Team Led by Doug Melvin, Boise Idaho

One dominant presence in Haiti throughout the struggles was the US military and the UN “blue helmet” units charged with upholding the rule of law and trying to prevent outbreaks of violence, such as that perpetrated by paramilitary thugs against individuals and groups supporting Aristide. Each department contained a US Special Forces team, led by a “Green Beret” captain.

These teams were self-contained units of about 10 soldiers including a medic, language and culture specialists, and civil affairs officers. Each team had its own Kellogg, Brown and Root backstopping support contractor, who ensured that the Special Forces team base had power, water, and other necessities. In the Nord-Ouest, the Special Forces team during my tenure was led by Captain Doug Melvin of Boise Idaho.

In addition to the US Special Forces team there was the military presence of the UN “blue helmet” unit. The UN peacekeepers, known as blue helmets for the blue helmets they were, are made up of soldiers and civilians. In the Nord-Ouest, the responsible unit was a Nepalese army battalion led By Major Ranabbatt. The Special Forces team and UN peacekeeper units are mandated to work together in determining the best way of providing security to the department. Such collaboration was critical, but often tedious given the language and cultural barriers. Though the US soldiers were all trained in French, very few of the Nepalese soldiers spoke enough English or French to allow for ample communication.

Though the soldiers I encountered were for the most part quite professional, there arose occasional incidents that found the International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH) team at odds with the military units. Incidents included allegations of use of unnecessary force or intimidation, as well as insensitivity to the needs or livelihood of local residents. Sometimes these matters could be resolved through a MICIVIH-brokered conversation, but occasionally MICIVIH human rights observers would report complaints or unresolved incidents to headquarters. This MICIVIH-military relationship was another delicate balance observers generally navigated with success, to the benefit of the Haitian population. Productive (but observant) collaboration between MICIVIH, the United States and International Civilian Police (CIVPOL), and US/UN military groups resulted in the best possible outcome for the Haitian people with respect to the overall safeguarding of their human rights.

At no time was this collaboration more important – or more successful – during my tenure than during the proceedings surrounding the critical Haitian presidential elections of 1995.

Human Rights Observers Collaborate to Ensure Fair Haitian Presidential Elections

Though President Aristide was not eligible for re-election, his Lavalas party was supporting candidate Rene Preval for President. There was concern leading up to the elections that it would be extremely difficult for fair elections to be held in Haiti’s climate of political distrust and the ongoing – if in the background – presence of paramilitary thugs and anti-Aristide groups.

In order to provide the best possible chance for the electoral process to be fair, all of the international assistance groups had to work in close contact with the Haitian elections authorities to plan every aspect of the upcoming elections. The Organization of American States (OAS) installed a parallel mission to MICIVIH, with the sole mission of providing impartial international observers to report and certify as to the fairness of the electoral process and the nature of any irregularities. This OAS group worked closely with the MICIVIH teams, and in fact many MICIVIH members including myself were seconded to the OAS elections observer mission for the weeks surrounding the elections.

In advance of the election, MICIVIH and OAS observers worked closely with elections officials to understand the candidates, political climate and potential problems. Human rights observers also paid special attention in the course of their routine field visits to the attitudes of individuals, groups, and candidates toward the upcoming elections. Observers also evaluated the state of elections sub-offices. Any security concerns in Haiti were reported not only to the elections officials but also, as appropriate, to CIVPOL and/or to the US or UN military units.

As the election drew nearer, the MICIVIH, OAS, CIVPOL, and military units began holding frequent joint meetings with the Department elections office in order to plan and identify each group’s role for the elections. Among the huge logistical, legitimacy, and security issues confronted were:

• Assembling and securing all ballots and polling place materials (printed by a Canadian group and distributed around the country by US military aircraft);
• Identifying polling places (in many cases private homes) and training poll-workers in very remote areas;
• Developing communications systems to allow irregularities to be identified and reported;
• Training and deployment plans for the teams of international observers who would be in Haiti only for the election itself;
• Safeguarding polling places;
• Safeguarding ballots and securing their transport back to Port-de Paix;
• Providing for the safety of candidates and their supporters.
  
  

All of these issues were addressed, and the hard work and collaboration paid off with the outcome ultimately successful as the election played out with only minor incidents and irregularities in the Nord-Ouest.

Note: In the next installment I will write some more detail on the elections. The subsequent section will be on the human rights education campaign that my team developed.

Training for the Joint Human Rights Mission in Haiti.

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have committed their lives to protecting Haiti citizens from human rights abuses. Carrie’s experiences include training for the United Nations and OAS joint human rights mission in Haiti.

Overview: The Haiti Civilian Mission Training Program.

Upon arrival in groups of about 20 observers, the joint human rights mission (MICIVIH) provides training including: Haiti’s history and politics; the UN declaration of human rights and its ramifications and application; the Haitian legal system and constitution; Haitian civil society; and Creole language training. After training, observers are then sent to their posts according to their experience and the special needs of each province.

Human Rights Observers Tasked with Building Relationships, Laying the Groundwork for Democracy.

When I completed my MICIVIH training in June, 2005, I was sent to the Nord-Ouest department, to the MICIVIH base in the town of Port de Paix. The team at the base consisted of ten human rights observers: three Americans, four French citizens, one Martiniquean, one Jordanian, and one Canadian. Our primary responsibilities were to develop and maintain contacts with a variety of residents and officials in the small towns and villages throughout the province.

By developing local contacts, our team was able to educate the population about the purpose of the International Civilian Mission, and to develop a sense of trust that allowed Haitians to confide in the human rights observer team and be candid about local events, civic and political matters, and any issues of concern regarding civil or human rights abuses.

The goal of the human rights observer team through these relationships was to learn of and be able to report to headquarters on any abuses that may occur, including: legal proceedings without due process; bribery or other abuses of power by public officials; mistreatment of prisoners; abuses of the electoral process; or intimidation, weapons stockpiling, and physical abuse perpetrated against supporters of President Aristide by paramilitary or ex-military groups associated with the coup regime.

On a field visit, a pair of human rights observers would travel by UN vehicle to a village and conduct a routine series of visits and conversations with contacts in the area. For example, typical stops would include visits with the Mayor or other town official, the courthouse, elections sub-office, jail, and church.

The visit would also include time developing and strengthening relationships with a variety of residents – including farmers, members of civic groups, or influential members of the community. Any information gained from the visit that raised any red flags for the observers would be subsequently followed up as appropriate – whether through researching a legal issue, investigating a complaint, or notifying proper authorities of the issue and ensuring proper handling of the case.

Each field visit was thoroughly documented in reports compiled by the human rights observer teams, and the reports were submitted to MICIVIH headquarters in Port-au-Prince where human rights and legal experts would analyze all data and flag issues for follow-up or for reporting to the Haitian authorities.

The human rights observer teams were part of a broader international presence in Haiti, and were required to work within the context of the inter-connected missions of each of these groups. In addition to a MICIVIH base, each Department (province) contained a base for CIVPOL, an international/ intergovernmental police monitoring and assistance mission. The CIVPOL officers also hailed from many UN member nations, including many African and Arab nations.

In the Nord-Ouest department, the CIVPOL team was led by a French police captain, and contained many members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Since this group was actively involved in training and working alongside the Haitian National Police (HNP)- a fledgling group created after the Haitian military was dismantled due to human rights abuses- observers often worked closely with CIVPOL members and Haitian National Police.

Sharing information was often required in the interest of public safety and human rights protection. Conversely, observers occasionally were in the position of confronting CIVPOL or HNP members when their own actions were in any way hindering the progress of human rights. This is an example of the sometimes delicate balance of relations between international assistance groups working simultaneously during this difficult period in Haiti’s history.


Some information provided by the MICIVIH website.

A Joint Human Rights Mission in Haiti: The United Nations and the OAS Form the International Civilian Mission.

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho are dedicated to the fight for human rights in Haiti. The United Nations and the OAS formed a joint human rights mission in Haiti in the early 90’s, establishing tenets for protecting citizens of Haiti.

A President’s Request: The History of the International Civilian Mission.

The United Nations and Organization of American States (OAS) launched a joint human rights mission in Haiti in 1993, after ousting democratically elected President Aristide. The joint human rights mission, called MICIVIH for the French acronym Mission Civile Internationale en Haiti, employed over 200 human rights observers to help safeguard the civil rights of Haitian citizens in all areas of the island nation. The observers were stationed at base offices in each of Haiti’s seven administrative departments, with a large headquarters in the capital of Port au Prince.

The MICIVIH website states:

“The International Civilian Mission in Haiti was created in February 1993, during the coup d'état, at the request of President Aristide, to observe the human rights situation in Haiti. It is the first joint mission between the United Nations (UN) and a regional organization, the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Mission is dedicated to verifying the respect of human rights. After the return to constitutional order in October 1994, the Mission expanded its work to include the promotion of human rights and institution building.”

United Nations and OAS Volunteers: Different Backgrounds and Experiences, One Common Goal.

The observers hired by the mission to help the fight against human rights abuses in Haiti represented all member nations of the Organization of American States as well as many member nations of the United Nations outside of the Americas. The observers are of diverse backgrounds, though all are required to speak French fluently and have professional experience related to the job and its requirements.

Some members of the joint human rights mission are human rights lawyers or constitutional lawyers, many have experience with non-governmental organizations with experience working in the region, and many have field experience in remote or hardship conditions can work effectively in Haiti’s difficult and often dangerous political, social and economic climate.

From the MICIVIH website

The International Civilian Mission in Haiti: Medical Help, Civic Education and the Future of MICIVIH.

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have committed themselves to fighting human rights violations in Haiti. Some of the accomplishments of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti include setting up the Medical Unit to provide assistance to victims and promoting awareness of human rights laws.

Haiti Civilian Mission’s Medical Unit Provides Help for Victims.

Between 1993 and 1994 the International Civilian Mission in Haiti’s (MICIVIH) Medical Unit was the only structure in Haiti working to ensure that the victims of human rights violations received medical attention for problems - whether physical or psychological - associated with the abuses they had suffered. This objective was in practice achieved through the creation of a national network of Haitian medical practitioners willing to provide care to those who had suffered human rights violations. The Medical Unit in Haiti also produced official documents certifying that the medical condition of individuals was consistent with their testimony of human rights abuse.

Since the Haiti Civilian Mission's return to the country in October 1994, the MICIVIH Medical Unit in Haiti has worked in collaboration with doctors from the French non-governmental organization Médecins du Monde to provide care and reconstructive surgery to victims of human rights violations. The Medical Unit in Haiti continues to compile detailed documentation on the medical consequences of such human rights violations for victims and their families. During mid-1995 the Medical Unit gave priority to the preparation of medical evidence for submission to the Commission Nationale de Vérité et Justice.

The Medical Unit in Haiti is also undertaking research on the psychological effects on individuals and their families of the repression perpetrated during the de facto regime. An analytical assessment of the research material was completed and published before February 1996. Members of the Medical Unit work with local health professionals and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International towards the creation of a Haitian Community Clinic for Victims of Trauma, through a non-profit organization called M'ap viv (I'm alive).

Civic Education Provided by the International Civilian Mission in Haiti.

MICIVIH has worked closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Port-au-Prince and in the provinces to promote knowledge and awareness of international and domestic human rights law.

MICIVIH observers conduct human rights workshops for NGOs and other interested organizations, as well as attending meetings organized by popular and local organizations at which human rights issues are discussed.

The International Civilian Mission provides posters and other materials, as requested, to those organizing civic education seminars. The Haiti Civilian Mission has also participated in human rights education programs organized by UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations, such as UNICEF and the Martin Luther King Foundation.

MICIVIH will continue to develop programs of human rights education and to respond to requests for support by groups and individuals engaged in civic education.

The Bright Future of the Haiti Civilian Mission: Monitoring Respect for Human Rights in Haiti.

MICIVIH continues to monitor respect for human rights in all regions of the country and to document its findings. The Haiti Civilian Mission aims to contribute as fully as possible to the reinforcement of democratic institutions and in particular monitors the progress and implementation of judicial and penal reform. Technical assistance in both spheres will be provided whenever possible. Legal experts within the Haiti Civilian Mission will provide training for the newly-formed Haitian National Police on codes of conduct and human rights protection.

MICIVIH continues to publish statements setting forth its assessment of political and human rights questions, as part of its commitment to disseminating accurate information and stimulating public debate about democracy and human rights in Haiti. It will in addition produce more detailed reports on a number of phenomena which bear directly on civil and political rights and the safety and security of the civilian population.

MICIVIH's current mandate was renewed on 12 July 1995 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, after a written request was submitted by President Aristide to the UN Secretary-General. The mandate expires on 7 February 1996. The 50th Session of the UN General Assembly will consider the possibility of a further extension of MICIVIH's mandate. Such an extension would permit a continuing contribution to institution building and the strengthening of mechanisms for the long-term protection of human rights in Haiti, the cornerstones of an enduring democracy.

From the MICIVIH website

International Civilian Mission: Institution-building, Partnering with the Haiti Commission and Supporting Free Assembly in Haiti.

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have devoted their lives to defending human rights in Haiti. The International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH) has made a number of important contributions to advocating human rights in Haiti, from strengthening institutions, to consulting with Haiti government to assisting with elections in Haiti.

Institution-building: Just One of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti Contributions.

The work of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti has increasingly included a focus upon the strengthening of democratic and judicial institutions and the process and implementation of penal reform in Haiti:

• The International Civilian Mission has worked in collaboration with the Haitian Government and international agencies such as the UN Development Program (UNDP).
• International Civilian Mission observers have a unique experience of the problems afflicting the justice system at the local level. The mission has conducted in-depth analysis of such problems and has submitted to the government a number of recommendations for judicial reform. MICIVIH legal experts are currently assisting in the development of a curriculum for the newly-created Ecole National de la Magistrature; and working with members of the UNDP in the design of a joint training course for public prosecutors.
• Members of the Civilian Mission have also worked with the UN Crime Prevention Criminal Justice Branch and UNDP to develop and implement a project of penal reform in Haiti which includes the creation of a prison registration system, the establishment of a penal administration system, the training of prison guards, the renovation of certain detention centers and the improvement of conditions of detention.
• The Civilian Mission actively monitors the work of the newly-created Haitian National Police. MICIVIH legal experts are currently acting as consultants in the development of human rights training programs for the new police force, including training on international standards for the use of force.

The International Civilian Mission and the Commission Nationale de Vérité et Justice Work Together to Stop Human Rights Abuses in Haiti.

The Haiti Commission, a governmental body created by presidential decree in December 1994, and composed of national and international members, is empowered to "establish the truth about the most serious human rights violations committed between 29 September 1991 and 15 October 1994 inside and outside" Haiti:

• The Civilian Mission has committed itself to providing technical support to the Haiti Commission throughout its period of operation. During the initial stages of the Commission's life, MICIVIH provided advice on working methods, budgetary matters, technical consultants and in the elaboration of a program of work. Assistance has also included technical expertise in the field of forensic anthropology.
• The most important element of MICIVIH support to the Haiti Commission concerns the transmission of documentary evidence of cases of human rights violations committed between September 1991 and October 1994. By early September 1995 the Commission had requested dossiers relating to many cases of grave human rights violations in Haiti and further requests are expected.
• No such dossier can be submitted to the Commission without the authorization of the victim or other source of the reported violation. In August and September MICIVIH observers visited a number of victims within the Port-au-Prince region in order to obtain this permission. Protection of the confidentiality of testimony provided by victims and witnesses has also required the preparation of special dossiers for presentation to the Haiti Commission.

The Haiti Commission Monitors the Elections in Haiti; Reports Help Protect Voters.

In November 1994 the Organization of American States (OAS) and the UN agreed that MICIVIH's responsibilities during the 1995 congressional and local government elections would include a number of activities broadly defined under the rubric of peace promotion.

• The activities defined for the Haiti Commission included: facilitating freedom of expression and assembly; monitoring acts of intimidation and of violence during the electoral campaign; and monitoring the polling and counting process in Haiti.
• Prior to the elections MICIVIH observers also monitored the technical aspects of candidate and voter registration, visiting registration offices and establishing contact with election officials at various levels. Technical monitoring of the electoral process was facilitated by the arrival of a small group of Organization of American States and MICIVIH electoral teams throughout the electoral period provided the basis for reports submitted, by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission, to the official Conseil Electoral Provisoire.

MICIVIH made public its own assessment of the human rights aspects of the pre-electoral process in a press release in early May 1995. It stated that while the registration process was initially disrupted by protests and some acts of intimidation, there were few serious incidents of violence.

A further press statement was issued on 14 July following the first round of elections on 25 June. It stated that despite sporadic violence, the elections were relatively free of political violence and there had been few incidents nationwide which resulted in physical injury. The main problems involved threats and intimidation, with some polling stations being ransacked or burned along with ballot papers. Many election officials reported fearing for their safety on polling day. However, threats by rejected candidates to disrupt the elections were not in the main carried out and some candidates called upon their supporters to respect the integrity of the electoral process.

From the MICIVIH website

Haiti Human Rights after the Return of President Aristide and Ongoing Observations.

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have devoted themselves to working to improve Haiti human rights issues. Promising changes have occurred, but the attempts to rectify human rights abuses happening in Haiti face many challenges:

• MICIVIH (the International Civilian Mission in Haiti) activities in Haiti resumed on 26 October 1994, some two weeks after the return of President Aristide, with the reopening of its headquarters and an office in Port-au-Prince.
• Eleven further offices were subsequently opened in the nine departments of Haiti and, by September 1995, some 193 observers were monitoring human rights throughout the country.
• Since the restoration of the democratically elected government, and the return of President Aristide on 12 October 1994, the human rights situation has improved substantially.
• MICIVIH has observed that the freedoms of expression, association and assembly are being exercised by different sectors of the society, including by those who are strongly critical of President Aristide and the government.

The systematic violation of human rights in Haiti by agents of the state - as had occurred under the de facto government - has come to an end.

Monitoring Activities in Haiti- the Work of MICIVIH Human Rights Observers.

MICIVIH has continued to give priority to the monitoring and promotion of respect for human rights in Haiti:

• Haiti human rights observers receive information from numerous sources, direct and indirect;
• Human rights observers include the national press, non-governmental and church organizations and individual members of the public;
• Information is also regularly received from the military and police components of the UN mission in Haiti.
  

All reports of possible human rights abuse in Haiti are thoroughly investigated, a task which frequently involves two to three-day trips into remote regions of the countryside. Such investigations are fully documented and provide the basis for detailed monthly reports which are submitted to the UN's Special Representative in Haiti and to the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States. The Mission also issues regular public statements, which provide MICIVIH's assessment of human rights questions in Haiti, such as the progress of penal and judicial reforms, human rights during the electoral process and other matters affecting human rights protection in Haiti.

Nevertheless, the extreme weakness of institutions serving to guarantee the civil and political rights of the civilian population - most notably a well-trained police force and an effective judicial system - are serious impediments to the actual and future protection of human rights.

From the MICIVIH website

Introduction: Three Years of Defending Human Rights in Haiti by Doug and Carrie Melvin, Boise Idaho

Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have dedicated their lives to bringing information about the Haiti crisis to the rest of the world. This blog serves as alarm clock to alert everyone about the international community concerns about the human rights abuses happening in Haiti.

Some background on the International Civilian Mission in Haiti:

• The OAS/UN International Civilian Mission in Haiti, known as MICIVIH (its French acronym), was established in February 1993 at the request of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Haiti's first democratically-elected president.
• The acceptance of the mission by the de facto military authorities in Haiti was a step forward in the international community's efforts to resolve the crisis in Haiti, which erupted with the overthrow of President Aristide during a bloody coup d'état on 30 September 1991.
• The mission is unique insofar as it is the first joint mission of the UN and a regional organization (the OAS); and in its being created before a political settlement of the crisis had been achieved.

MICIVIH human rights observers were rapidly deployed throughout Haiti from February 1993 in all its nine administrative departments.

• The initial impact of this deployment did serve to curb human rights abuses in some regions, as well as providing support to victims and the population at large.
  
• However, following the signing of the Governor's Island Agreement in July 1993 - which provided for the return of President Aristide - the human rights situation deteriorated.
  

Progress in implementing a political solution, and measures to protect human rights, were grossly undermined by the Haitian military. Leaders and members of pro-Aristide popular organizations were targeted by the Haitian Armed Forces (FADH) and by the newly created paramilitary group the Front révolutionnaire pour l'avancement et le progrès d'Haiti (FRAPH).

This disquieting trend culminated in the September 1993 assassination of a prominent Aristide supporter, Antoine Izmery, and the October execution of Justice Minister Guy Malary. It became increasingly clear that the military would not respect their commitment to allow President Aristide to return.

Political tensions increased and the Governor's Island Agreement began to unravel. De facto military control of the country, and repression of Aristide supporters, resulted in the widespread violation of basic human rights. In this context of military violence, and a climate of political tension, the security of MICIVIH observers became a matter of concern and the mission was evacuated to the Dominican Republic in mid-October.

In January 1994 the UN and OAS returned a first group of about 30 observers to Haiti. The observers found the Haiti crisis to be worse than at any time during the Mission's presence in 1993:

• Extrajudicial execution, enforced disappearance, torture and arbitrary arrest had increased, and a new phenomenon - that of rape as an instrument of political repression - had emerged in Haiti.
• Many cases of such violations were documented in Haiti by MICIVIH between January and July 1994.
• The perpetrators included members of the Haitian Armed Forces (FADH), the police, their civilian auxiliaries and members of FRAPH.

The limited number of observers, and the restrictions placed upon their activities, impeded the Mission's capacity to monitor human rights abuses. Nevertheless, the systematic documentation of violations, and the publication of reports of abuse, did serve to alert the international community to the severity of the human rights crisis in Haiti, thus creating pressure for the curtailment of military, police and paramilitary activity.

The military response was unambiguous. The FADH withdrew recognition of the Mission's presence in Haiti; and in July MICIVIH observers were given 48 hours to leave the country, after the de facto authorities claimed the Mission's mandate had expired and its presence was "a threat to national security".


From the MICIVIH website