ARTICLE - PROTEST - LAND AND HOUSING

MASSIVE MARCH PLANNED TO EXPOSE HOUSING AND LAND ISSUES
(Defend Haiti) -

PORT-AU-PRINCE - A dozen organizations have announced a march to parliament to protest the issue of housing and land in Haiti that has not been resolved in 2 years since the earthquake of January 2010.

The movement of socio-political organizations and farmers called "Je nan Je" is expected to attract 10,000 people for the event called "The Road to Parliament" on January 11, 2012.

Organizers say they want to expose that on the eve of the second anniversary of the earthquake 600,000 people still live in tents, in inhumane conditions, while political actors and non-governmental organizations involved in the process claim to have spent more than $4 billion [US] in Haiti.

The march also aims to remind state authorities that their duty is to guarantee the right to decent housing for every citizen of Haiti, as required by the Constitution, ARTICLE 22, as well as charters and conventions signed in Haiti.

Participants also intend to require government officials and others involved in the reconstruction process in Haiti that they are accountable to the public on the management of funds received and expended to date.

The march is to go from Carrefour Nazon, along Rue Alix-Roy, Bois Verna, Champs de Mars and come to Parliament at Bicentenaire.

The platform Je nan Je includes organizations such as ActionAid Haiti, the Association of Farmers Vallue (APV), the Regional Coalition of the South East (Kros), the Coordination of Actions in Health and Development of Haiti (COSADH) Fanm Decide, the National Coordination of Peasant Women (KONAFAP), The Coalition of Peasants of Grand-Anse (KPGA), the Farmers Movement of Papaye (MPP), The National Movement of Farmers Coalition of Papaye (MPNKP), the Platform of Organizations for Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince (COZPAM), the National Network for Haitian Sovereignty and Food Security (RENHASSA).

Constitution of Haiti

ARTICLE 22:

The State recognizes the right of every citizen to decent housing, education, food and social security.