ARTICLE - CSPJ TO BE ESTABLISHED IN FEB.

EXECUTIVE GOV'T TELLS JUDGES THAT CSPJ BE ESTABLISHED IN FEBRUARY
(Haiti Libre) -

PORT-AU-PRINCE – In a meeting between Haitian judges and the Minister of Justice Michel Brunache, a work stoppage was held off by a promise from the executive to establish the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) by February 29, 2012.

Speaking on Vision 2000 radio on Tuesday, Judge Durin Duret, President of the National Association of Haitian Magistrates (ANAMAH) said the meeting which was scheduled for 2PM did not begin until 5PM and ended at 8PM. From that meeting, the judge says that following discussions with the justice minister, the date of February 29 was set as the date the CSPJ would be established.

Minister Michel Brunache followed Judge Duret on Vision 2000 and was asked if that date of February 29, that was given to the leaders of ANAMAH, would be respected. The minister said that he was not well versed on the agenda of the president, but believed that without an objection by the Head of State, the CSPJ would be established at the end of February.

The establishment of the CSPJ has been a matter outstanding for nearly 5 years. The effect of not having the institution and its members installed has caused a weak Judicial power in Haiti, that has been manipulated by other powers.

President Michel Martelly promised during his campaign to establish the judicial body within days of being inaugurated. He then promised to establish it within his first 100 days. When that time had passed he had promised to do this by October 2011 and later promised to establish it before the end of 2011.

At the end of 2011 Haitian judges had threatened a work stoppage if the CSPJ is not established within a month.