【海地】救災須顧及人權保護

國際特赦組織新聞稿

2009年1月15日

國際特赦組織（AI）呼籲聯合國採取措施，保護海地人權與地震生還者中的弱勢群體。

國際特赦組織敬佩聯合國、海地與全世界救災與發展工作者迅速而勇敢地投入人道救援，協助挽救生命、清理災區、恢復該國遭受嚴重破壞的基礎設施。

國際特赦組織同時要求，應特別注意確保尊重人權，保護兒童和地震孤兒，尤其是特別容易受到性侵害的未成年女性。

國際特赦組織海地研究員Gerardo Ducos說：「海地目前的法律真空，以及女性與兒童失去保護的狀態，使各種人權侵害和包括強暴在內的各種性犯罪很容易消遙法外。保護弱勢群體免於性暴力，和救災同樣重要。」

國際特赦組織提出上述呼籲，是因應海地在週二發生可能造成數千海地人民死亡的七點一級地震。尚有數千人等待搜救，生還者也亟待國際救援，提供他們飲水、糧食和醫療。

在災害之後，海地警察與司法體系的執法能力大打折扣，因為他們損失了大部分的基礎設施，而且許多執法人員本身也在等待救援。

根據國際特赦組織以往的紀錄，海地的成年與未成年婦女本來就普遍受到性暴力的高度威脅。

Gerardo Ducos指出：「在地震之前，海地政府就無法有效保護人權，特別是成年與未成年婦女所受到的性暴力。除非在救災同時，能夠採取具體的行動，否則情況只會惡化。」

國際特赦組織對於所有受難者及其親友的痛苦深感同情，願與海地人民團結在一起。

[ENGLISH]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE

15 January 2009

Protection of human rights must accompany relief efforts in Haiti

Amnesty International called on the United Nations to put in place measures for the protection of human rights and the most vulnerable among the survivors of Tuesday's devastating earthquake.

Amnesty International saluted the speedy and courageous efforts of UN, relief and development workers in Haiti and around the world assisting with humanitarian efforts to save lives, clear the devastation and restore basic services and the country's crumbling infrastructure.

The organization also asked for particular attention to be provided to ensuring respect for human rights and protection of children and those left orphans as a consequence of the earthquake. Girls in particular are at higher risk of sexual abuse and attack.

“The current situation of lawlessness in Haiti and the increased vulnerability of women and children creates the perfect environment for human rights abuses and crimes such as rape and sexual abuse to take place undetected and go unpunished,” said Gerardo Ducos, Haiti researcher at Amnesty International. “Protecting vulnerable groups from sexual violence is as important as providing them with relief.”

Amnesty International made the call as thousands of Haitians are feared dead after a 7.1 earthquake struck the country on Tuesday. Thousands of people are still unaccounted for and survivors await relief efforts from international donors to provide them with access to drinkable water, food and medical care.

In the wake of the disaster, the law enforcement capacity of the Haitian National Police and the justice system are severely compromised as most of its infrastructure has collapsed and many officials remain unaccounted for.

Amnesty International has previously documented shocking levels of sexual violence against women and girls across the country.

“Before the devastating earthquake, Haiti was unable to effectively protect human rights and in particular, women and girls from sexual violence. Unless action is taken now while relief efforts are ongoing, the situation is only likely to deteriorate,” said Gerardo Ducos.

Amnesty International conveys its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims and a message of solidarity to the Haitian people.

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