HAITI: SOCCER MATCH UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 002568

SIPDIS

SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
WHA ALSO FOR USOAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC HA
SUBJECT: HAITI: SOCCER MATCH UPDATE

REF: A. PAP 2401

B. PAP 2239

Classified By: DCM Douglas Griffiths, REASONS 1.5(B) AND (D).


1. (U) The Haitian National Police (HNP) has completed its
investigation into the August 20 events at a USAID-funded
soccer match in Martissant (reftel). In a press conference
on October 11, HNP Director General Mario Andresol announced
in a press conference that a total of 15 officers would face
charges for their role in the incident. According to
Andresol, the police documented ten dead and five wounded in
the events. The judicial police unit investigated 32 police
officers and 13 have been detained and await formal charges
(two other officers have been detained since September).


2. (U) The results of the police investigation are in line
with the conclusions of the investigations conducted by
Pierre Esperance's National Human Rights Defense Network
(RNDDH),who concluded ten people died and five were injured
during the attack. Esperance publicly lauded Andresol and
the police investigation stating that "this is the first time
that the police have so thoroughly investigated its own
abuses."


3. (C) Comment: The relatively swift investigation and
subsequent arrests in the soccer match events provide a solid
example of Andresol's commitment to reform of the HNP. He
has a long road ahead and will continue to face obstacles
within the HNP to his efforts and he merits our full support.
We will continue to encourage investigations of this type
into other instances of alleged HNP involvement in human
rights abuses.
CARNEY