ARTICLE - POHDH - SECURITY MEASURES

THE POHDH CALLS FOR MEASURES TO COMBAT INSECURITY IN HAITI
(Haiti Libre) -

The Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH) notes that insecurity has been increasing for several months in various parts of the country. All social strata are affected, without exception, by banditry that causes many human rights violations, including the right to physical integrity, the right to life and the right of free movement. The National Police of Haiti (PNH), which should ensure the safety of lives and goods in the country is faced with various problems. Police officers complain about the lack of adequate equipment to better protect and serve the people, and the wages they receive in the exercise of their duties. Add to all this, the lightly armed police, are in a situation of insecurity as much as, or more than the population that they are supposed to protect. More than 30 police officers were killed during 2011, according to police sources.

POHDH wonders how we will put an end to insecurity, impunity and the phenomenon of crime, when the police do not have the adequate means and equipment to accomplish their mission? In addition, as employees, officers are entitled to better working conditions. POHDH states that people should enjoy their right to security in everyday life and not only during festive periods.

POHDH believes that the increase in insecurity is related to the phenomenon of impunity that the country has been experiencing for several years. In its effort to help address the problem of insecurity in general, and particularly the social insecurity prevailing in the metropolitan area, the Platform recommends to the authorities of the State, the following measures :

Take all necessary steps to improve the working conditions of police officers;

Increase the number of police officers in the national territory, particularly in commercial areas of the capital and in the camps;

Control the flow of traffic and transport conditions throughout the national territory;

Put an end to the phenomenon of impunity and corruption that plague the country's institutions;

Involve the population in plans to prevent and combat insecurity in the country.