Where’s Lovinsky? – Activist Was Kidnapped While in Haiti – The African World

During the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s I would hear or read hair-raising stories about political repression against progressive activists and human rights advocates in places such as Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and, yes, in Haiti. In fact, a verb “disappear” became a noun “the disappeared,” to describe the victims of political kidnappings and covert assassinations aimed at those who fought on the side of the poor and oppressed. In some cases, the “disappeared” would be released, generally after having been tortured, but almost always as a result of an international outcry. In all too many cases, however, nothing was every heard or seen of these individuals again.

With the election of President Rene Preval, Haiti was supposed to have returned to normality. This has not been the case. The United Nations forces in Haiti, which should have been a sword against the tyrants and their allies, have served the role of the intimidator of Lavalas members and supporters. Death squads and criminal gangs continue to terrorize communities, as well as terrorize human rights activists.