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Kidnappers caught in Haiti

by YankeeJim | February 4, 2010 at 04:49 pm

198 views | 24 Recommendations | 5 comments

No matter how noble the purpose, you cannot operate above the law. Religious leaders are not permitted to impose their will and beliefs on children or people as was the case in days of yore. As the Haiti government said, the behavior of missionaries was offensive.

“Haiti charges U.S. church members with kidnap

Case of 10 missionaries sent to a judge to determine group’s fate

PORT-AU-PRINCE - Ten U.S. missionaries in Haiti were charged Thursday with child kidnapping and criminal association for allegedly trying to take children illegally out of the earthquake-hit country.

After announcing the charges, Haitian Deputy Prosecutor Jean Ferge Joseph told the 10 their case was being sent to an investigative judge.

"That judge can free you but he can also continue to hold you for further proceedings," the deputy prosecutor told the five men and five women in a hearing.”

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Hugh Askew

at 19:12 on February 4th, 2010

Saw an article today that quoted the parents of the children as saying that they willing gave their children to the group.

YankeeJim

at 05:11 on February 5th, 2010

If I were a helpless parent in that place, I would surely consider a way to get my children out as it is desperate.

Karen Hatter

at 21:07 on February 4th, 2010

In this article, parents are relaying a story that differs from the story told by the missionaries:

In Fermathe, where most of the children were born and raised, it was clear that while their homes were woefully lacking in many ways, some of the children — and perhaps many of them — were not orphans.

Kisnel and Florence Antoine said they sent two of their children with the Baptist missionaries because they had offered educational opportunities for the children in the Dominican Republic. Ketlaine Valmont said she had sent a son.

They showed school photos and academic awards to demonstrate that they had not selfishly sent their children away to lighten their load.

In a country where more than half of all children come from families too poor to keep them in school, the parents said that the Americans’ offer of an education seemed like a gift from heaven.

They also wanted to give opportunities for something better to their children. They said that the missionaries had promised they would be able to visit their children in the Dominican Republic, and that the children would be free to come home for visits.

stejeb

at 01:26 on February 5th, 2010

Edwin Coq, their lawyer said they were "naive but not malicious in their actions" but then went on to add

"I think nine of those people have nothing to do with that question," Coq said when asked outside the court building what the Americans knew. "If there is someone that the justice system must retain for some questioning, it is the leader of the group, Madame Laura. But the rest of the group are people who came only with compassion, to offer their solidarity to the Haitian people." Source Washigntonpost.com

YankeeJim

at 05:13 on February 5th, 2010

"Naive and not malicious" is part of it. Missionaries and religious groups must be careful not to trespass on the rights of people. Being on a mission to impose beliefs in exchange for souls is what I think is the issue.