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"The searches at the airport, the visits to the police stations, the mandate to appear before a criminal judge yesterday, and now this.  It is all part of the effort to silence my voice for democracy."  
– Father Gérard Jean-Juste, after his arrest last week

Father Gérard Jean-Juste, a tireless advocate for human rights and for the poor, was arrested and jailed on Thursday, July 21, 2005.  He is being held in solitary confinement at the Haitian National Penitentiary. 

For a week leading up to his arrest, Father Jean-Juste was questioned by authorities accusing him of a range of sweeping politically motivated charges.  His real offense: continuing to speak out against human rights violations in Haiti.
 
This is not the first time Father Jean-Juste has been arrested for his legitimate, peaceful activities: in October 2004, he was arrested while running a soup kitchen for his church and imprisoned for seven weeks. 

Since February 2004, when former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted by an armed rebellion, Haiti has been plagued by violence and political instability.  Courageous activists like Father Jean-Juste offer hope of a brighter future for Haiti. 

Please help Human Rights First press for the release of Father Jean-Juste and an end to the persecution of human rights defenders in Haiti.