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Haiti's Shattered State

Life amid the ruins of Haiti's government buildings; stories from China's Tiananmen Square dissidents, Spain's modern-day Civil War politics and a nuns' prison visit in Mexico.

Pascale Harter introduces correspondents' and reporters' stories from Haiti, China, the USA, Spain and Mexico.

The streets of Haiti's capital, Port au Prince, are littered with remains of gang battles - and full of displaced people driven from their homes by the violence. Although a new transitional council has been sworn in, and a Kenyan-led security force is due to arrive within weeks, the gangs still control most of the city. Catherine Norris Trent found a community sheltering in abandoned governmental buildings in what was once Haiti's administrative centre.

Thirty-five years on from the student protests in Tiananmen Square, Gordon Corera talks to two former leaders of the demonstrations - who escaped the brutal aftermath and left China via Hong Kong, thanks to a secret network of smugglers. Today these dissenters live in the USA, but say that Chinese state surveillance and control has followed them even there.

Spain's Civil War ended 85 years ago - but the political and social divisions over its legacy are still very much alive today. Guy Hedgecoe reports on the enduring rancour over attempts to find, identify and honour the dead of the conflict. Arguments over the issue still pit left against right in many regions.

And Linda Pressly goes behind bars at La Mesa prison in Tijuana, Mexico - on a welfare visit with a group of nuns who've found new purpose in later life. After their experiences as mothers, grandmothers, wives and career women, The sisters of The Eudist Servants of the 11th Hour say they're ready for their 'encore for Jesus', providing care and spiritual succour to inmates.

Producer: Polly Hope
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 3 Jun 2024 19:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 1 Jun 2024 16:06GMT
  • Sun 2 Jun 2024 03:06GMT
  • Sun 2 Jun 2024 08:06GMT
  • Sun 2 Jun 2024 23:06GMT
  • Mon 3 Jun 2024 19:06GMT