Prolonged Detention of Rosemila Petit-Frère: Voices Rise for Her Release

Arrested on August 10, 2025, at Puerto Plata International Airport in the Dominican Republic, while returning from Canada, Rosemila Petit-Frère, former mayor of Arcahaie and owner of Radio Télé Monopole, was handed over to Haitian authorities on August 13. Since then, she has been detained at the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) without any formal charges being brought against her.

Suspected of possessing a large undeclared sum of money, Dominican authorities found no significant amount in her luggage. Having no charges against her in the Dominican Republic, she was handed over to the Haitian police as part of bilateral security cooperation agreements.

Since then, she has been detained in Haiti without charges. This situation has sparked indignation from several organizations. Hallan Brun, national coordinator of the Pitit Ayiti movement, denounces what he considers a blatant violation of Ms. Petit-Frère's rights. He emphasizes that, according to Haitian law, preventive detention should not exceed 72 hours in the absence of a flagrant offense.

Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding Ms. Petit-Frère's health, which is reportedly deteriorating due to her detention conditions. Organizations are calling for her immediate release, emphasizing the absence of charges and the risks to her health.

This case highlights the persistent challenges of the Haitian judicial system, particularly regarding respect for fundamental rights and legal procedures. It also raises questions about the transparency and effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between Haitian and Dominican authorities.

To date, the DCPJ has not issued a statement regarding the reasons for Ms. Petit-Frère's prolonged detention, thus fueling speculation and concerns about the rule of law in Haiti.

Le Relief