Haiti: Blondine Tanis Kidnapped From Home, Sixth Journalist Abducted This Year
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is extremely alarmed by the deteriorating security environment for journalists in the country.
Location: Haiti, Port-au-Prince
Date: July 21, 2023
Radio presenter Blondine Tanis is the latest Haitian journalist abducted while entering her home in Port-au-Prince. This marks the sixth kidnapping of a journalist in Haiti in 2023. After being held captive for 9 days, Tanis was released after a ransom was paid. She was deeply traumatized by the experience. Press workers are being killed, kidnapped, and assaulted with impunity since the country plunged in political and social turmoil following the President’s assassination in 2021. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned by the attacks on journalists.
On July 21, an armed group abducted Radio Rénovation’s Blondine Tanis as she was returning to her home in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. It is unknown who is behind the kidnapping.
Tanis, a co-host of Morning Tribune on Radio Rénovation, previously worked at Radio Télé Zénith. Colleagues refer to her as a "respected communicator."
Radio Rénovation 107.1 Fm has suspended all its programming for an indefinite period in protest against the kidnapping of Tanis.
On July 30, Tanis was freed in exchange for a ransom, according to confirmation from her relatives and colleagues. Those close to her stated that her health has been significantly impacted by this traumatic ordeal and she has been hospitalized.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, the capital city of Port-au-Prince has become a breeding ground for criminal gangs, who have seized control over vast areas and instilled fear among the population. The unrest is exacerbated by food shortages, with nearly half of the island nation’s citizens in acute hunger. As a result of the turmoil, journalists and media workers have become prime targets for attacks, kidnappings, and murders.
In 2023 alone, three journalists were murdered in Haiti. Paul Jean Marie, a presenter at Radio Lumière, was killed on May 5 when criminals broke into his residence. In April, Ricot Jean, a journalist with Radio-Télé Évolution, and Dumesky Kersaint, editor of Radio Télé Inurep, were both murdered.
Sixth Abduction of a Journalist in 2023
Criminal gangs frequently abduct members of the media and hold them for ransom, with six journalists kidnapped so far this year. Marie Lucie Bonhomme — a journalist and owner of Télé Pluriel radio and television station — was forcefully taken from her home in Port-au-Prince on June 13. She was held captive at the base of the "Kraze Baryè" gang before being released after several hours. Just a week later, Bonhomme's husband, Pierre Louis Opont, was kidnapped by the same gang. He remains in captivity.
Between January and May of 2023, four journalists were kidnapped and only released after paying a ransom, including Sandra Duvivier, a cultural journalist, and member of the Telemax staff at the TV channel.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is sounding the alarm over the deteriorating security situation for journalists in Haiti. As the country grapples with ongoing political and social challenges, it is imperative that measures are taken to protect those who play a crucial role in upholding freedom of the press and providing vital information to the public.
As the security situation in the country continues to dissolve, we urge the international community active in the country — United Nations, US Embassy in Haiti, Agence Française de Développement — to condemn the treatment of press workers and demand justice.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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