Sonia Pierre had a life devoted to the social struggle

The emergence of the movement of women Dominico-Haitianas (MUDHA) was preceded by the participation of its Executive Director Sonia Pierre, in the Dominican Haitian Cultural Center (CCDH), entity struggling since 1982 to the improvement of living conditions of people of descent Haitian in the country.

The large number of cases involving women, on all students who were denied the right to study, motivated the creation of the MUDHA, in 1983, as an appendix to the HRCC, until the end of the 1980s, when it declares independence. Pierre begins in this fight as a teenager, when accompanied by his brothers in a demonstration of workers of the cane in the old mill Catarey, in their native Villa Altagracia.

"Since the birth of MUDHA, Sonia joined and later was elected as Executive Director, which honored all along its path of human rights of the Dominicans of origin" u000a"Haitian", explains Antonio Pol Emil, director of the HRCC.

Constant problems
, Daniel Odefa, other people accompanying the newly deceased from HRCC, narrated that the emergence of the Organization was due to the continuing problems were women, children and students of Haitian descent. "Women were doubly vulnerable, by their status as women and their ancestry and since that time Sonia had been struggling, even at the expense of their health," explained.

Recalled that at its inception Pierre was accompanied by Pol Emil and Manuel Dandré, the latter whom he later married and is the father of her four children: Manuela Solain, Minerva Leticia, Humberto Alejandro and Ernesto Cherlemaine.

"The CCDH had many young girls who had other needs, and why it was decided to organize women, to be able to recruit many for the work we were doing." "Thus it is that the MUDHA is born" u000atells Lorenzo Marcellin, to offer their version.

Recalls training support to the home received international and national as "Ce-Mujer", women's organizations and others.

Pierre RAID in the media of communication, and therefore on domestic public opinion, occurred in 1999 when his organization held a press conference to denounce that a youth whom President Leonel Fernandez had been awarded in a ceremony at the National Palace, in the program "outstanding student", was being threatened with being expelled from school. The reason it was argued is that it lacked a birth certificate, and he had allowed to study up to the eighth course.

El MUDHA led a campaign through the media and managed the young to be admitted. Also uncovered an evil that affected hundreds of boys and girls in all parts of the country presence of descendants u000aHaitians.

"We reaffirm its position to continue this fight, which is fair, for human rights in the Dominican Republic," promised Pol Emil.

Condolences
different people and different institutions representatives yesterday expressed its condolences for the death of Pierre, who will be buried Wednesday in his native Altagracia Villa by decision of his family. The body of Sonia is veiled in the funeral home protector La Altagracia of Bolívar Avenue of the capital.

The President of Haiti, Michel Martelly, declared himself shocked by the death and sent a message of condolence to the family and friends of Pierre, on behalf of the Haitian people

While the Haitian in Dominican Republic Embassy yesterday declared three days of mourning for the death of the activist.

"We have lost an extraordinary human being, a defender who never wavered in their struggle for equality, even being persecuted and threatened." u000aSonia Pierre was a tireless advocate for the rights of Dominican people of Haitian descent in Dominican Republic and never rested in their fight against discrimination and violence. "She opened paths so that future generations of Dominicans as can celebrate their cultural heritage without denying their right to nationality and equal treatment in their land, Dominican Republic," said Viviana Krsticevic, Executive Director of the Center for Justice and international law (CEJIL).

. The delegation of the European Union in Dominican Republic, to lament the loss, expressed that Pierre was tireless fighter for human dignity and rights of all, after praising his life, his courage and his work. He said Pierre deserved and received their support. And that the world needs "to these courageous and committed people who are dedicated to this great task, which is to defend and promote human rights, universal, indivisible and" u000aWe all and all. Sonia was one of those people. "He's gone, but will not be forgotten and others will continue their work," added.

The United States Embassy in the country regretted the death in a document and issued condolences to the family survivors of activist for the rights human.

Courage
recalled that in 2010, Pierre was recognized with the "International Women of Courage Award", and the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton distinguished himself among those who embody "courage Ö protect the most vulnerable and broaden the circle of opportunity and prosperity to more people", said a statement signed by the aggregate of the pressJudith Ravin.

Sonia Vásquez, United Nations, considered "an irreparable loss the departure of Pierre, who dedicated his life to the defence of human rights, of a population still in the country has no rights".

BELIEFS, passion and u000a"PERSEVERANCE
Hipólito Mejía, presidential candidate for the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), also expressed regret for the death of Pierre.
"The sudden and unfortunate physical disappearance of activist Sonia Pierre, who defended his beliefs with passion and perseverance, leaves a void difficult to fill."

Peace to his remains", expresses the former President Mejía in your message.
Centre Bonó, Mario Serrano, director said that the best thing you can do to honor his memory is give continuity to the work she played Pierre. He said that we must be proud of that struggle.

The President of the Alliance for democracy, Max Puig, said Pierre was an advocate for human rights who fought for equality between the Dominicans and Haitians, and contributed to the friendship of the two peoples. He considered a just struggle carried out by the activist.
.
Virgil Almánzar, Chairman of the Committee on the rights u000aHuman, he said that the struggle of Sonia must be continued, because she gave her life for the defense of men and women who came to the country to work for the State, and by those who were born here and do not know anyone in Haiti, but that they are denied their rights.

By his side, VCT Galván of collective women and health, argued that the feminist movement and Dominican women, lost a great leader advocate for human rights, the rights of women and immigrants.

Said that the fight will not stop, because Pierre was a woman who was not afraid to defend democracy.

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