Charlot Jeudy a fierce defender of the LGBT community in Haiti, was found dead in his home on Monday, Nov. 25. Circumstances surrounding his death still remain unclear.
The news was relayed by Amelie Baron, a correspondent of Agence France Presse (AFP) in Haiti, and permanent correspondent of Radio France Internationale (RFI). “Charlot Jeudy, Haiti’s most mobilized LGBT activist, was killed yesterday,” the journalist said. “This is terrible news for the community and more broadly for human rights defenders in the country,” said the journalist.
Jeudy 34, is recognized in Haiti for his commitment to promoting and defending the rights of the LGBT community through the Kouraj organization. Founded on Dec. 18, 2011, this organization’s mission is to “raise awareness regarding homophobia and transphobia.”
His death shocks many human rights defenders in the country. Several organizations including the Organization of Citizens for a New Haiti (OCNH), Combat for Peace and Development (CPD) and the Center for Farming and Community Action (CAPAC) expressed their sorrow on this tragic loss while asking for an investigation.
“Whether they are accepted or not, the gay and other LGBT individuals are citizens of Haiti as well,” Jeudy said in August 2018, during an interview with the communications office of MINUJUSTH. He also stated in this interview that his organization is also working with the international community to ensure that treaties and conventions become a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people in the country.
The French Embassy in Port-au-Prince is encouraging the Haitian authorities to investigate and shed light on the sudden passing of gay militant Charlot Jeudy,
In a report dated August 2019, during the past 3 years, Kouraj helemd by Charlot Jeudy, reported 21 cases of violence against LGBT individuals including a murder. “Three reported receiving death threats. Others said […] that their relatives threatened to burn them alive. Five said they were assaulted and confirmed by medical reports,” states the report.