U.N. Denounces Detention of Two Former Ministers in Haiti

A top U.N. official in Haiti denounced the detention of former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune as illegal Wednesday, and the Organization of American States offered to help end what it called a standoff with serious moral implications.

Neptune, 58, who has been in jail for more than 10 months without appearing before a judge, began a hunger strike April 17 that has left him dangerously weak. Haiti’s constitution requires a hearing before a judge within 48 hours of arrest.

Former Haitian Interior Minister Jocelerme Privert has been in jail more than a year without being formally charged.

Thierry Fagart, chief of the United Nations human rights division in Haiti, cited both cases in delivering the U.N.’s strongest criticism of the nation’s human rights record since the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide during a revolt in February 2004. Neptune and Privert both served under Aristide.

“Since the beginning of the procedure until today, the fundamental rights, according to national and international standards, have not been respected in the case of Mr. Neptune and Privert,” said Fagart, a French lawyer.