ANC wants Aristide's return

2005-05-13 19:13

Johannesburg - The African National Congress rallied on Friday the country's support for Haiti to embrace "the rule of law and democracy" and the return of political exiles, including deposed former president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

"South Africans are called on to join the people of Haiti and others around the world, in campaigning for the return of stability, the rule of law and democracy to the Caribbean state," the ANC said in its weekly newsletter ANC Today.

"The constitutional order must be restored, which include the creation of conditions for the return of all exiles, including President Aristide and the organisation of free, peaceful and fair democratic elections," the party said.

Aristide fled a popular revolt in Haiti in late February last year under pressure from the United States and France, first travelling to the Central African Republic and Jamaica, before arriving in Johannesburg.

He has been living in exile in South Africa since with his wife and two daughters and enjoys good relations with President Thabo Mbeki, the only world leader to attend Haiti's bicentennial independence celebrations early last year.

United Nations

The ANC called on the United Nations to ensure that the "un-elected interim government ends the political persecution of Lavalas (Aristide's party) members and supporters and release all political prisoners, ends all illegal arrests and summary executions..."

"As an immediate step, the interim government must either formally charge or release (former prime minister) Yvon Neptune and other political prisoners," it said.

Neptune, who served as prime minister under Aristide has been imprisoned since last year for alleged involvement in a 2004 attack which left 50 opponents of Aristide's regime dead or missing.

His health has been in decline following a recent weeks-long hunger strike to protest the conditions of his detention.

"As the situation of Haiti's poor worsens daily, South Africans are called upon to join others around the world in campaigning for a return to constitutionality, stability and political freedom in Haiti, the ANC said.

- AFP