Mireille's story in An Untamed State was plagued with corruption, indifference, and the lack of any basic law enforcement. Kidnapping in Port-au-Prince was something that was unfortunately common to the Jameson family and the rest of the Haitian people. In the fifth chapter Mireille reveals that her father's accountant, a family friend, a well known grandmother and her grandson, and her cousin had all been kidnapped and their families forced to pay a ransom. Soon after she was captured, Mireille explained, "Kidnapping was a business transaction, one requiring intense negotiation and, eventually, compromise, but I would be safe. I would be returned to those I love, relatively unharmed. There was ample precedent for hope" (24). Unfortunately for her, her father was not the kind of man to make a compromise like the others had. It was well known that if he didn't, she wouldn't be returned relatively unharmed; and she wasn't.
Mireille was kidnapped and taken from her family in broad daylight on the way to the nearby beach. She was beaten violently in the middle of the road until she let go of her baby and agreed to go with the men. During this process, "A small crowd gathered. I begged them to help. They did not. They stood and watched me screaming and fighting with all the muscle in my heart. I saw their faces and the indifference in their eyes, the relief that it was not yet their time; the wolves had not yet come for them" (6). The people knew that if they intervened they would be killed or taken as well. It was something that they had seen before and hoped would never happen to them. Mireille was taken because unfortunately her father was one of the richest men in the country, and the gang knew they would be able to extract lots of money from him.
Law enforcement in the book was also nonexistent. Corruption and bribes allowed the gang to do whatever they pleased. With their example, people also chose not to do anything to intervene and help others in their time of greatest need. Kidnapping had become a common, lucrative business for those with guns and power to take advantage of.
Mireille was kidnapped and taken from her family in broad daylight on the way to the nearby beach. She was beaten violently in the middle of the road until she let go of her baby and agreed to go with the men. During this process, "A small crowd gathered. I begged them to help. They did not. They stood and watched me screaming and fighting with all the muscle in my heart. I saw their faces and the indifference in their eyes, the relief that it was not yet their time; the wolves had not yet come for them" (6). The people knew that if they intervened they would be killed or taken as well. It was something that they had seen before and hoped would never happen to them. Mireille was taken because unfortunately her father was one of the richest men in the country, and the gang knew they would be able to extract lots of money from him.
Law enforcement in the book was also nonexistent. Corruption and bribes allowed the gang to do whatever they pleased. With their example, people also chose not to do anything to intervene and help others in their time of greatest need. Kidnapping had become a common, lucrative business for those with guns and power to take advantage of.
Ex-Promoter in Haiti Charged in Kidnapping Ring
In March, a case involving one of the alleged leaders of one Haiti's famous gangs, the Gali Gang, attracted world-wide attention. According to the New York Times article, Woodley Ethéart was charged for running a kidnapping ring that was responsible for killing a police inspector and the abductions of 17 people.
A document in the case stated that the gang collected nearly $1.5 million in ransom that was used to buy arms and ammunition, buildings and vehicles. However, two hours into his trial, the judge decided to dismiss the charges that included kidnapping, murder and drug trafficking. According to a recent article the case “has drawn criticism from human rights groups, the United Nations and the United States." Mr. Ethéart previously worked for the Interior Ministry and is reportedly a friend of the brother-in-law of President Michel Martelly. The rapid resolution of their case raised eyebrows in a country where most cases languish for years without being decided. The judge in the case, Lamarre Bélizaire, is a controversial investigative judge who has been accused in the past of doing the government’s bidding. Government critics say that in addition to being a setback in the fight against organized crime and the country’s dysfunctional justice system, Bélizaire’s decision is an embarrassment for the Haitian government.
The government responded to public criticism by dismissing the chief prosecutor who handled the case and are appealing the judge's ruling on the case, according to Justice Minister Pierre-Richard Casimir. Casimir said in an interview that the government agrees that the correct procedures were not followed in the case and that the judge erred in releasing the two men, who were accused of leading a ring that kidnapped 17 people from 2008-2014. It will be up to the Supreme Court whether to take the two back into custody, he said. It was unknown when a decision would be announced.
Corruption and cases such as this one are far too common in Haiti.
A document in the case stated that the gang collected nearly $1.5 million in ransom that was used to buy arms and ammunition, buildings and vehicles. However, two hours into his trial, the judge decided to dismiss the charges that included kidnapping, murder and drug trafficking. According to a recent article the case “has drawn criticism from human rights groups, the United Nations and the United States." Mr. Ethéart previously worked for the Interior Ministry and is reportedly a friend of the brother-in-law of President Michel Martelly. The rapid resolution of their case raised eyebrows in a country where most cases languish for years without being decided. The judge in the case, Lamarre Bélizaire, is a controversial investigative judge who has been accused in the past of doing the government’s bidding. Government critics say that in addition to being a setback in the fight against organized crime and the country’s dysfunctional justice system, Bélizaire’s decision is an embarrassment for the Haitian government.
The government responded to public criticism by dismissing the chief prosecutor who handled the case and are appealing the judge's ruling on the case, according to Justice Minister Pierre-Richard Casimir. Casimir said in an interview that the government agrees that the correct procedures were not followed in the case and that the judge erred in releasing the two men, who were accused of leading a ring that kidnapped 17 people from 2008-2014. It will be up to the Supreme Court whether to take the two back into custody, he said. It was unknown when a decision would be announced.
Corruption and cases such as this one are far too common in Haiti.