Cité Soleil 3638578 225677184 2008-07-14T21:19:53Z Mattisse 1386816 /* History */ fix redirect [[Image:Cite Soleil Haiti.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Cite Soleil, 2002.]] '''Cité-Soleil''' ([[Haitian Creole language|Kreyol]]: '''Site Soley''', or Sun City in English) is a very densely populated [[shanty town]] located in [[Port-au-Prince]], [[Haiti]]. Despite its name, the area is generally regarded as one of the nation's poorest, roughest, and most dangerous areas; it is one of the biggest [[slum]]s in the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. There is little police, no sewers, no stores, and little to no electricity.<ref name="redcross">{{cite web |url=http://www.redcross.int/EN/mag/magazine2006_2/10-11.html |title= Hoping for change in Haiti’s Cité-Soleil |publisher=International Red Cross |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> The neighborhood, originally designated to house manual labourers for a local Export Processing Zone (EPZ), quickly became home to squatters from around the countryside looking for work in the newly constructed factories. After the 1991 coup d'etat that deposed President Jean Bertrand Aristide, the United States led a boycott of Haitian products, which closed the EPZ. Cite Soleil was soon thrust into extreme poverty, persistent unemployment, with high rates of illiteracy. It has become a microcosm of Haiti's endemic problems.<ref name="redcross"/> Of the estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people living in Cité Soleil, the great majority live in extreme poverty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/photos-haiti-280606 |title=Cité-Soleil: Grinding poverty, relentless violence |publisher=International Committee of the Red Cross |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> ==History== CitéSoleil is a [[shanty town]] that arose in Port-au-Prince where the inhabitants lack even basic services to make life bearable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/f00916-v |title=Haiti: changing Cité-Soleil |publisher=The International Red Cross |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> Not only is Cité Soleil the poorest area of the poorest country in the [[Western Hemisphere]] it is also becoming one of the most dangerous as armed gangs roam the streets. [[Murder]], [[rape]], [[kidnap]]ping, [[looting]], and shootings are common as every few blocks is controlled by a rival armed faction, such factions said to number over thirty-two.<ref name="post">{{cite web |year=2006 |month=February 2 |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/haitisstruggle/2006/02/glimmers_of_hope_in_cite_solei_1.html |title=Glimmers of Hope in Cite Soleil |publisher= WashingtonPost.com |accessdate=2006-12-30 }}</ref> In 1999, Cité Soleil was set on fire by a gang and at least 50 shacks burned.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/576870.stm |title=Haitian shantytown torched in revenge attack |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> In 2002 the violence escalated as the gangs began warring with each other in addition to preying on ordinary people. Many inhabitants had to leave temporarily to escape the turmoil.<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |month=September 9 |url=http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/43a/512.html |title=Violence Between Gangs in Cite Soleil |publisher= |accessdate=2006-12-30 }}</ref> In 2004, UN peacekeepers stormed Cité Soleil in an attempt to gain control of the area and end the anarchy.<ref>{{cite web |year=2004 |month=December 15 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4096841.stm |title=UN peacekeepers storm Haiti slum |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2007-08-16 }}</ref> Although the [[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti|United Nations Stabilization Mission]] (MINUSTAH) has been deployed since 2004, it continues to struggle for control over the armed gangs and the violent confrontations continue. MINUSTAH maintains an armed checkpoint at the entrance to Cité Soleil and the road is blocked with armed vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redcross.int/EN/mag/magazine2006_2/10-11.html |title= Hoping for change in Haiti’s Cité-Soleil |publisher=International Red Cross |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> In December, 2004, a group of armed ex-soldiers occupied ex-president [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]]'s home against the wishes of the Haitian government.<ref>{{cite web |year=2004 |month=December 16 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4100091.stm |title=Ex-soldiers occupy Aristide home |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2007-08-16 }}</ref> In January, 2006, two [[Jordan]]ian peacekeepers were killed in Cite Soleil.<ref>{{cite web |year=2006 |month=January 18 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4622772.stm |title=Two UN soldiers killed in Haiti |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2007-08-16 }}</ref> In October 2006 a group of heavily armed Haitian police were able to enter Cite Soleil for the first time in three years and were able to remain one hour as armored UN troops patrolled the area. Since this is where the armed gangs take their kidnap victims, the Haitian police's ability to penetrate the area even for such a short time was seen as a sign of progress.<ref name="police">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/10/061004_soleil.shtml |title=Haiti police visit gang stronghold |publisher=BBC Caribbean |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref> The UN has described the human rights situation in Haiti as "catastrophic".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1202772.stm |title=Country profile: Haiti |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> [[Image:CiteSoleilWomensGroup.jpg|thumb|Sign for a Cite Soleil women's group, 2002. The sign translates, "Organization of Militant Women of Cité Soleil".]] Most of the residents of Cité-Soleil are children or young adults. Few live past the age of fifty; they die from disease, including [[AIDS]], or violence.<ref name="redcross"/> <!-- The neighborhood is much like the [[Five Points, Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan]] during the mid-nineteenth century. However, instead of poor immigrants inundating the slum, migrants from the countryside flow into this neighborhood. --> At times Cite Soleil has been filled with armed gangs. The vast majority of residents of Cite Soleil remained loyal to [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide|President Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] and his [[Lavalas]] movement. (In 2007, Aristide was at the [[University of South Africa]].) Unlike Haiti's unelected past governments, Lavalas governments invested money into parks, literacy programs and medical centers in Cite Soleil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/10/061004_soleil.shtml |title=Haiti police visit gang stronghold |publisher=BBC Caribbean |accessdate=2007-08-16 }} </ref> Politically affiliated gangs or militias, often with quasi-official powers, have been a regular element of [[Politics of Haiti|Haitian politics]] throughout [[History of Haiti|the country's history]]. <!-- Security broke down in Cite Soleil as the United States worked to undercut Aristide's legal police force. Even so the elected Aristide government spent millions on social investment programs in Cite Soleil, on literacy centers, soup kitchens, medical clinics and plumbing. --> <!-- Since December 2006, [[UN Peacekeeper]]s and [[Haitian National Police]] have been involved in intense operations and frequent gunbattles with armed gangs, resulting in the deaths of 30 people, including 20 gang members. A total of two UN soldiers and ten policemen have died and ten have been wounded.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} --> <!-- Aristide, responding to domestic and international criticism, moved to rein in gang activities during his second term of office. Some of the gangs that had supported him, such as the Cannibal Army of [[Amiot Métayer]], turned against him, joining the [[2004 Haiti rebellion|2004 rebellion]]. By late 2004 the United States, Canada and France used this revolt as an excuse to kidnap and oust Haiti's elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his government. Aristide's political opposition, tied with the CIA, spent money on bribing gangs, such as the one led by Labanye, and provided arms according to death squad leader Guy Philippe. However, most Aristide partisans in Cité-Soleil and other sections of Port-au-Prince appear to have remained loyal, and aggressively resisted the interim government of [[Boniface Alexandre|President Boniface Alexandre]] and [[Gérard Latortue|Prime Minister Gerard Latortue]]. Of the battles that have occurred between leftist and government forces, some of the most heated have been in Cité-Soleil. --> The fighting led to widescale charges by neighborhood residents that the United Nations stabilising force has permitted conditions that led to the death of unarmed bystanders. Haiti's media outlets are monopolized by anti-Lavalas business owners and have used the violence in Cite Soleil to further demonize the party of former President Aristide. They have largely ignored the mass violence by the Haitian police, the criminal roots of the kidnapping and the undermining of Arsitide's security police force.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR36/060/2004/en/dom-AMR360602004en.html |title=Document - Haiti: Amnesty International calls on the transitional government to set up an independent commission of enquiry into summary executions attributed to members of the Haitian National Police | Amnesty International |publisher=www.amnesty.org |accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref> <!-- Human rights studies and journalists found that the UN force and the interim police force engaged in massive human rights violations, killing hundreds of innocent people either caught in the crossfire or purposely targeted. However, the corporate press which covered for the 2004 coup, the UN and interim force constantly played down the popular marches for the return of Haiti's elected President and government. --> ==Current status== Since 2004 the [[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti| United Nations Stabilization Mission]] (MINUSTAH) has been in Haiti and it now numbers 8,000 troops but continues to struggle for control over the armed gangs. In October 2006 a group of heavily armed Haitian police were able to enter Cite Soleil for the first time in three years and were able to remain one hour as armored UN troops patrolled the area. Since this is where the armed gangs take their kidnap victims, the Haitian police's ability to penetrate the area even for such a short time was seen as a sign of progress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/10/061004_soleil.shtml |title=Haiti police visit gang stronghold |publisher=BBC Caribbean |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref> The situation of continuing violence is similar in [[Port-au-Prince]]. Before Christmas in 2006 the UN force announced that it would take a tougher stance against gang members in Port-au-Prince, but since then the atmosphere there has not improved and the armed roadblocks and barbed wire barricades have not been moved. After 4 people were killed and another 6 injured in a UN operation exchange of fire with criminals in Cite Soleil in late January 2007, the United States announced that it would contribute $20 million to create jobs in Cite Soleil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36772 |title=HAITI: Poor Residents of Capital Describe a State of Siege |publisher=ipsnews |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/02/070202_citesoleilaid.shtml |title=US aid for Cite Soleil |publisher=BBC Caribbean |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref> MINUSTAH maintains an armed checkpoint at the entrance to the shanty town of Cité-Soleil and the road is blocked with armed vehicles.<ref name="redcross"/> In early February 2007, 700 UN troops flooded Cite Soleil resulting in a major gun battle. Although the troop make regular forcible entries into the area, a spokesperson said this one was the largest attempted so far by the UN troops.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/02/070211_unhaiti.shtml |title=UN troops flood into Haiti slum |publisher=BBC New |accessdate=2007-08-14 }} </ref> On July 28, 2007, Edmond Mulet, the UN Special Representative in Haiti, warned of a sharp increase in [[lynching]]s and other mob attacks in Haiti. He said MINUSTAH, the ([[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti]]) which now has 9,000 troops there, will launch a campaign to remind people lynchings are a crime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6920240.stm |title=UN concerned at Haiti lynchings |publisher=BBC Caribbean |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref> On August 2, 2007 the UN Secretary General [[Ban Ki Moon]] arrived in Haiti to assess the role of the UN forces, announcing that he would visit Cite Soleil during his visit. He said that it was Haiti's largest slum and as such was the most important target for U.N. peace keepers in gaining control over the armed gangs. The Haitian president [[Rene Preval]] has expressed ambivalent feelings about the UN security presence, stating “if the Haitian people were asked if they wanted the UN forces to leave they would say yes.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/08/070802_haitun.shtml |title=UN chief visits Haiti |publisher=BBC Caribbean |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref> Survivors at times blame the UN peace keepers for deaths of relatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2047451,00.html |title=Haiti's children die in UN crossfire |publisher=Guardian Unlimited |accessdate=2007-08-02 }} </ref> <gallery> Image:Cite_soliel2.jpg|Cite Soleil, 2002 Image:Cite_soliel5.jpg|Cite Soleil, 2002 Image:Cite_soliel4.jpg|Cite Soleil, 2002 Image:Cite_soliel1.jpg|Cite Soleil, 2002 </gallery> ==See also== *[[Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI)]] *[[2005 July 6 United Nations assault on Cité Soleil, Haiti]] *[[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti]] ==Footnotes== {{reflist}} ==References== *[http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36772 HAITI: Poor Residents of Capital Describe a State of Siege"(February 2007)] *[http://www.haitiaction.net/News/HIP/4_25_5.html HaitiAction.net (April 25, 2005): "Cité Soleil under siege: Haiti's elite, U.N., and fat cat NGOs paralyzed"] *[http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/43a/512.html ''Haiti Report'' (Sept. 9, 2002): "Violence Between Gangs in Cite Soleil"] *[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/29/1446230 DemocracyNow.org (Dec. 29, 2006): "Another Massacre in Cite Soleil?"] *[http://www.redcross.int/EN/mag/magazine2006_2/10-11.html RedCross.int (no date): "Hoping for change in Haiti's Cité-Soleil", by Didier Revol] *[http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2005-07/17engler.cfm ZMag.org (July 17, 2005): "Murdering Haiti", by Yves Engler] *[http://www.williambowles.info/haiti-news/2005/soleil_siege.html ''San Francisco Bayview'' (Dec. 7, 2005): "Bloody U.N. siege on Cité Soleil", by Lyn Duff] *[http://www.counterpunch.org/ives11242006.html Counterpunch.org (Nov. 24, 2006): "The UN Fails Haiti, Again", by Kim Ives] *[http://newleftreview.org/A2507 ''New Left Review'' #27 (May-June 2004): "Operation Zero in Haiti", by Peter Hallward] *[http://www.udw.ac.za/ccs/default.asp?3,28,10,1213 Centre for Civil Society: Summary of Depelchin, Jacques (2004), "Haiti 1804 as an Event - Fidelity to Freedom, Why has it been so difficult to achieve?", CCS Seminar Series: 1-17] *[http://www.ghostsofcitesoleil.com ''Ghosts of Cité Soleil''] (official site) [[Category:Port-au-Prince]] [[Category:Slums]] [[Category:Lists of slums]] [[de:Cité Soleil]] [[fr:Cité Soleil]] [[nl:Cité-Soleil]]