**As deeply concerned members of the community, we are compelled to call out the injustices and cannot stand by while two respected leaders of Canal KPK in Ouanaminthe, Haiti—Michèle Adrien Étienne and Pastor Moïse Joseph—are treated unjustly and are being held in subhuman conditions at Prison Civil Fort-Liberte. On September 25, 2025, they were abruptly and arbitrarily arrested without a warrant and without proof, based solely on uncorroborated accusations with no eyewitnesses.

Even more troubling, Mme Étienne was arrested inside her husband’s law office—Me Gaston Étienne, President of the Northeast Bar Association. Under Haitian law and professional protections, arrests inside an attorney’s office are prohibited, underscoring the grave irregularities in this case.

These are not just names in a headline; they are pillars who have devoted years to improving local livelihoods—supporting the community-led irrigation canal that sustains rice farming and promotes food security. Their only “offense” appears to be championing a sustainable, self-reliant future for Ouanaminthe.

Why This Matters
Haiti’s Constitution requires that anyone arrested be brought before a judge within 48 hours to hear formal charges and to contest the legality of detention. Michèle and Pastor Moïse have been denied this right. This is more than a technical violation; it is a breach of fundamental due process that endangers every citizen by normalizing arbitrary detention.

Due process is not a luxury. It is the safeguard that ensures the innocent are not punished and that the State is accountable to the rule of law. When these standards are ignored, no one is safe from similar abuses.“No one may be kept under arrest more than forty-eight (48) hours unless he/she has appeared before a judge… and the judge has confirmed the arrest by a well-founded decision.” (Haitian Constitution Art. 26). Constitute Project

The presiding judge must rule without postponement on detention’s legality; if illegal, release is immediate and enforceable, even pending appeal (Arts. 26-1, 26-2). Constitute Project

Haiti is bound by ICCPR (since 6 Feb 1991): prompt appearance before a judge; humane treatment; fair trial. tbinternet.ohchr.org
Haiti ratified the American Convention on Human Rights (1979/1984 instrument): personal liberty and judicial control; fair trial.

Our Demands
We call on Haitian authorities—and urge the international community and human-rights organizations—to act now:

Immediate judicial presentation of Michèle Adrien Étienne and Pastor Moïse Joseph, as required by Haiti’s Constitution.

If no lawful evidence exists, order their immediate release.
Guarantee confidential access to counsel, humane conditions, and necessary medical care.
Disclose any formal charges in writing, in Haitian Creole and French, with full transparency.
Respect legal protections surrounding attorneys’ offices and investigate the circumstances of Mme Étienne’s arrest.

How You Can Help
Sign and share this petition widely—every signature increases pressure for due process.

Contact local and international human-rights groups to request monitoring and support.
Raise awareness on social media using: #FreeThemNow #JusticeForOuanaminthe #DueProcess #Haiti.
Let us stand together to ensure that justice prevails in Haiti. Sign this petition to demand due process now—and the release of these community leaders if the justice system has no evidence to support the accusations.