The Associated Press calls Lavalas "Aristide's Lavalas Platform Coalition" (18 Dec. 1995), while Deutsche Presse-Agentur calls it "Haiti's Ruling Lavalas Party" (18 Dec. 1995). Ray Sanchez in The Commercial Appeal and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Lavalas is "the grassroots coalition that orchestrated the ascension of the former Roman Catholic priest as Haiti's first democratically elected president" (17 Dec. 1995; 17 Dec. 1995). In one of its articles, the Associated Press refers to the Lavalas movement as "The Three-Party Lavalas Platform Coalition" (16 Dec. 1995). Political Handbook of the World: 1994-1995 makes no reference to Lavalas (1995).

The following information was provided during a telephone interview on 22 December 1995 with the Caribbean researcher at Human Rights Watch Americas, Washington.

Until the 17 December 1995, Lavalas was not defined as a formal political organization but was rather a socio-political movement. The source could not provide information on whether the election result in favour of the Lavalas movement would transform it into a formal organization.

The source added that Lavalas' current leader is René Préval, who is likely to become the next President of Haiti. In fact, Lavalas supporters are likely going to control the next government.

According to an article in Deutsche Presse-Agentur, "René Préval, the candidate of Haiti's ruling Lavalas Party, was the clear winner of a general election to choose a successor to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide" (19 Dec. 1995).

The Lavalas movement is an umbrella for various organizations associated with President Aristide. The Lavalas movement is often called "Botabla", which means "around the table."

The researcher stated that she was aware of no reports of harassment of families members by TonTon Macoute. However, "low-level" threats have been made by Ton Ton Macoute members to Lavalas supporters. Lavalas supporters have been concerned about the killing in November 1995 of Congressman Hubert Feuillé and the wounding by gunfire of another Congressman, named Gabriel Fortune. Although no evidence of Ton Ton Macoute's involvement in the killing has been formally established, the Haitian police have pointed ther finger at Prosper Avril, a well known Ton Ton Macoute.

The source hopes that since they are going to be in position of authority in the new government, Lavalas supporters will benefit from better protection from the state. However, three factors are still of concern to the source. First, the disarming of gangs has not been as effective as planned. Second, the justice system has not been successful in holding accountable the people accused of human rights violations. Third, doubts remains about the values and position of the new police.

For general information on Lavalas, please consult the attached articles.

Information on human rights conditions prior to the June 1995 elections can be found in the Human Rights Watch Americas June 1995 document available at your regional Documentation Centre. The 16 December 1995 Associated Press article provides information on the candidates in the 17 December 1995 elections.

For information on the result of the election of 17 December 1995 and Lavalas, please refer to the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

The Associated Press. 18 December 1995. Anita Snow. "Haitian Presidential Election Marked by Low Turnout." (NEXIS)

_____. 16 December 1995. "Haitian Candidates Sketches." (NEXIS)

The Caribbean Researcher, Human Rights Watch Americas, Washington. 22 December 1995. Telephone interview.

The Commercial Appeal. 17 December 1995. "Haiti Slow to Let Go of Aristide Control." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 19 December 1995. "Aristide's Choice Wins Easily in Haitian Vote, Officials Says." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 December 1995. "Aristide's Choice Winner in Haitian Vote, Say Observers." (NEXIS)

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 17 December 1995. Ray Sanchez. "Aristide, Unable to Run, Overshadows Election." (NEXIS)

Political Handbook of the World: 1994-1995. 1995. Edited by Arthur Banks. New York: CSA Publications.

Attachments

AFP [Paris, in Spanish]. 21 August 1995. "Lavalas Political Organization Wins 13 August Elections." (FBIS-LAT-95-163 23 August 1995, p. 10).

Associated Press. 18 December 1995. Anita Snow. "Haiti." (NEXIS)

The Commercial Appeal. 17 December 1995. "Haiti Slow to Let Go of Aristide Control." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 19 December 1995. "Aristide's Choice Wins Easily in Haitian Vote, Officials Says." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service. 17 March 1994. Ives Marie Chanel. "Haiti: Haitians Losing Hope of Seeing Crisis Resolved." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times. 18 December 1995. Juanita Darling. "Turnout Low as Haitians Go to Polls." (NEXIS)

Notimex [Mexico, in Spanish]. 30 June 1995. "Lavalas Claims Electoral Victory in First Round." (FBIS-LAT-95-127 3 July 1995, p. 12).

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 17 December 1995. Ray Sanchez. "Aristide, Unable to Run, Overshadows Election." (NEXIS)

Political Handbook of the World: 1994-1995. 1995. Edited by Arthur Banks. New York: CSA Publications.

Port-au-Prince Signal FM Radio [Port-au-Prince, in French]. 22 September 1995. "Lavalas Far Ahead in South Department Vote Count." (FBIS-LAT-95-185 25 September 1995, p. 10).

_____ [Port-au-Prince, in Creole]. 7 September 1995. "West's Electoral Office President Plans To Resign." (FBIS-LAT-95-185 11 September 1995, p. 16-17).

Port-au-Prince Radio Metropole [Port-au-Prince, in French]. 22 August 1995. "Lavalas Coalition Wins Runoff; Round Scheduled for 17 September." (FBIS-LAT-95-164 24 August 1995, p. 18-19).

_____. 29 June 1995. "Aristide Campaining Openly for Lavalas." (FBIS-LAT-95-120 22 June 1995, p. 8).

AFP [Paris, in Spanish]. 21 August 1995. "Lavalas Political Organization Wins 13 August Elections." (FBIS-LAT-95-163 23 August 1995, p. 10).

Port-au-Prince Signal FM Radio [Port-au-Prince, in French]. 18 August 1995. "Joseph: Lavalas Camps Not as Strong as Believed." (FBIS-LAT-95-161 21 August 1995, p. 15).

Port-au-Prince Signal FM Radio [Port-au-Prince, in Creole]. "Candidate Blames Observers for Lavalas Victory." (FBIS-LAT-95-136 17 July 1995, p. 21).

Port-au-Prince Radio Metropole [Port-au-Prince, in French]. "Additional Election Results: Lavalas Winning." (FBIS-LAT-95-135 14 July 1995, p.16-17).

TAAS. 19 December 1995. Andrei Golubov. "Preval Has Most Likely Won the Haiti Elections." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 15 December 1995. Tim Vandenack. "Aristide Backs Haiti's Lavalas Candidate." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 26 January 1994. Douglas Farah. "Violent Political Movement, Protected by Military, Growing in Haiti." (NEXIS)