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Killing of Port-au-Prince Bar Association Chief Roils Haiti

Sandra Lemaire

   WASHINGTON / PORT-AU-PRINCE - MonferrierDorval's killing at home was a
   gut punch to his colleagues, students and admirers.

   The head of the Port-au-Prince bar association was shot dead August 28
   by unknown gunmen who stormed his home in the same upscale neighborhood
   where Haiti's president lives. Two other prominent Haitians were killed
   that same day in crimes that underscore the country's struggle to
   improve security.

   "Attacks on civil society are attacks on Haiti's democracy and we look
   to Haitian authorities to investigate this heinous crime and bring
   justice to this case," tweeted Michael G. Kozak, acting U.S. assistant
   secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, condemning the
   crime.

     We stand with [1]@BINUH_UN and [2]@OAS_official in condemnation of
     the murder of Haitian lawyer Monferrier Dorval.
     Attacks on civil society are attacks on Haiti's democracy and we
     look to Haitian authorities to investigate this heinous crime and
     bring justice to this case. [3]https://t.co/1G1Y5Hs6Pw
     -- Michael G. Kozak (@WHAAsstSecty) [4]August 31, 2020

   The killers have not been identified but Haitian President Jovenel
   Moise blamed "anti-change forces" in a statement emailed to VOA.

   "This horrible attack against the lawyer, constitutional expert and
   professor of constitutional law -- a thinker and eminent debater -- is
   an attack against the Haitian intelligentsia," the statement said. "The
   President of the Republic energetically condemns this villainous crime
   orchestrated by anti-change forces who want to keep the country in a
   situation of degradation and chronic instability."

   Two other Haitians killed that same day were also shot by unknown
   gunmen. Wealthy Haitian-Arab businessman MichelSaiehwas shot and killed
   in broad daylight as his car traveled on a busy thoroughfare connecting
   downtown Port-au-Prince with upscale neighborhoods in the
   mountains.Saieh, whose wife and driver were injured in the attack,
   owned a store calledPiyayMarket.

   Radio-TelevisionCaraibesjournalist Frantz Adrien Bony was also shot and
   killed in the middle class Petionville neighborhood after attending a
   party hosted by the station's owner.

   Haiti's National Police (PNH) say the killings are under investigation.
   It is unclear if they are related.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/BINUH_UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://twitter.com/OAS_official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   3. https://t.co/1G1Y5Hs6Pw
   4. https://twitter.com/WHAAsstSecty/status/1300531492662251522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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