Radio journalist Dumesky Kersaint shot and killed in Haiti
New York, April 27, 2023—Haitian authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Dumesky Kersaint, determine if he was killed in connection with his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.
Between the evening of April 15 and the morning of April 16, Kersaint was shot and killed in the Mahotiere 83 neighborhood in the municipality of Carrefour, according to news reports and Quito, Ecuador-based press freedom group Fundamedios.
According to Le Facteur, Kersaint was a “victim of collateral damage” as armed civilians “were committing crimes in the same place where the journalist was.” Kersaint, 30, was a reporter at online Radio Tele INUREP, where he covered demonstrations.
“Haitian authorities must conduct a swift investigation into the killing of Dumesky Kersaint and bring those responsible to justice,” said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJ’s program director. “The security crisis in the country is putting journalists at a constant risk of extreme violence. It is the authorities’ responsibility to make sure reporters can do their jobs without fear of violence.”
The Haitian Media Association National (ANMH), a group representing local media, issued a statement condemning “the climate of tolerated and fueled violence, which led to the death of INUREP journalist Dumesky Kersaint.”
CPJ is also investigating the death of Haitian journalist Ricot Jean, who was killed in unclear circumstances on April 25.
At least seven journalists were killed in Haiti in 2022, including five in direct connection with their work.