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UPDATE: On January 19, 2006 a judge dismissed the original charges on which Father Jean-Juste has been held since July 2005, as well as other charges pending since October 2004. The judge then charged Father Jean-Juste with new crimes that are not justified by the facts found in the judge's ordinance. These charges appear to fit closely with a pattern of judicial persecution that Father Jean-Juste has endured for over 15 months.

Six months ago, Father Gerard Jean-Juste, a Haitian priest, human rights advocate, and political activist, was imprisoned on politically motivated grounds.  He remains jailed to this day even though he has not been convicted of any crime. 

Last night, Dr. Jennifer Furin of Harvard Medical School and Haitian physician Dr. Jacques Boncy confirmed that Father Jean-Juste has leukemia. 

Father Jean-Juste needs your help now more than ever.  Experts have commented that if Father Jean-Juste contracts an infection it could be life-threatening, and that the chances of infection are high in prison.

"In the 1970s, Father Jean-Juste became a valued friend and colleague of Human Rights First as we worked together to help Haitian refugees in the United States," said Michael Posner, President of Human Rights First.  "We are deeply concerned for the welfare of this dedicated human rights advocate and ask you to help secure his release."

Please join Human Rights First in demanding with renewed urgency Father Jean-Juste's release, and an end to the persecution of human rights defenders in Haiti.