THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS HUMANITARIAN PARTNERS ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED
(Haiti Libre) -
In a statement released this week, Nigel Fisher, the Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN in Haiti, revealed that the call for funds of 382 million U.S. launched in 2011 by the humanitarian community through the Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) received only 55% of the needs expressed, resulting in the progressive and continuing withdrawal of many partners providing critical services in camps and cholera-affected areas.
Currently, the 2012 CAP of US$ 231 million is funded at 8.5%.
The Government of Haiti and its humanitarian partners express their deep concern over the lack of financial resources at their disposal for continued humanitarian operations and for sudden onset disaster response. This scarcity of resources is curtailing their ability to fully provide frontline services to the most vulnerable population.
Although the camp population has declined dramatically since 2010, almost half a million people still live in camps, exposed to cholera outbreaks and risks of flooding that will be exacerbated by the upcoming rainy and hurricane season from May to November.
Due to this funding shortfall, Haiti was selected to receive an emergency allocation of US$ 8 million dollars through the United Nations Central Emergency Fund (CERF) window for underfunded crises. This grant will enable partners to address urgent priority needs, but it will not be sufficient to match the many challenges faced by humanitarian actors in 2012.
The humanitarian community is urgently requesting US$ 53.9 million for the April-June period.
Without proper funding, the many resettlement initiatives that have benefited hundreds of thousands of displaced people are likely to be terminated. The gains in the fight against cholera through the promotion of hygiene practices may be lost and the existence of hundreds of thousands of IDPs living in camps will be in danger.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
ARTICLE - CSPJ - 3 COMMISSIONS CREATED
CREATION OF 3 COMMISSIONS FOR THE UPCOMING INSTALLATION OF MEMBERS OF CSPJ
(Haiti Libre) -
Following the certification of members of the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power (CSPJ), through the upcoming installation proces of members of CSPJ and to ensure the operationalization of this entity, the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Cassation, announced that the creation of 3 technical Commissions, which will work on the modalities of the transfer of powers, budget and the headquarters, relative to the CSPJ; an entity that will have an important responsibility of the administration, control, discipline and deliberations of judicial power.
These Commissions are composed of different actors involved in the process: Court of Cassation, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Office of Citizen Protection, Magistrates, International Community, Presidential Commission on Judicial Reform.
Commission on the modalities of transfer of skills :
The Commission on the transfer of skills is composed of: a representative of the Ministry of Justice, a representative of the Supreme Council of Judicial Power, a representative of the Presidential Commission Working Group called Working Group on the reform of justice, a representative of the Office of Citizen Protection, a representative of Magistrates, and a representative of the international community, who will participate as an observer.
Budget Commission:
The Commission relating to the budget is composed of a representative of the Ministry of Justice, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a representative of the Supreme Council of Judicial Power, a representative of the Office Protection of the Citizen and a representative of the Magistrates.
Commission on the headquarters of CSPJ :
The Commission relating to the headquarters is composed of a representative of the Ministry of Justice, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and a representative of the Supreme Council of Judicial Power.
The Ministry specifies that these 3 Commissions have a delay of 2 weeks to 2 months to submit their report to the Minister of Justic,e and to the President of the Supreme Court for appropriate action.
(Haiti Libre) -
Following the certification of members of the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power (CSPJ), through the upcoming installation proces of members of CSPJ and to ensure the operationalization of this entity, the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Cassation, announced that the creation of 3 technical Commissions, which will work on the modalities of the transfer of powers, budget and the headquarters, relative to the CSPJ; an entity that will have an important responsibility of the administration, control, discipline and deliberations of judicial power.
These Commissions are composed of different actors involved in the process: Court of Cassation, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Office of Citizen Protection, Magistrates, International Community, Presidential Commission on Judicial Reform.
Commission on the modalities of transfer of skills :
The Commission on the transfer of skills is composed of: a representative of the Ministry of Justice, a representative of the Supreme Council of Judicial Power, a representative of the Presidential Commission Working Group called Working Group on the reform of justice, a representative of the Office of Citizen Protection, a representative of Magistrates, and a representative of the international community, who will participate as an observer.
Budget Commission:
The Commission relating to the budget is composed of a representative of the Ministry of Justice, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a representative of the Supreme Council of Judicial Power, a representative of the Office Protection of the Citizen and a representative of the Magistrates.
Commission on the headquarters of CSPJ :
The Commission relating to the headquarters is composed of a representative of the Ministry of Justice, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and a representative of the Supreme Council of Judicial Power.
The Ministry specifies that these 3 Commissions have a delay of 2 weeks to 2 months to submit their report to the Minister of Justic,e and to the President of the Supreme Court for appropriate action.
ARTICLE - GOV'T COMMISSIONER THREATENED
THE LIFE OF THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONER OF CROIX-DES-BOUQUET IS THREATENED
(Haiti Libre) -
Following an operation in late February, led by the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ), agents of the Counternarcotics Unit (BLTS), with the support of American agents of the DEA (Drug Administration Forcing), which allowed the seizure of 300 kg of drugs, estimated asU.S. $2 million, in a house in Tabarre; Mr. Mario Beauvoir, the Government Commissioner of Croix-des-Bouquet, who was present during the operation, revealed this week that he had received death threats.
Mr. Beauvoir indicated that he would file a complaint against X. Avoiding the mentioning of names, he explained; ""the justice does not live on scandals. This is why I refrain from naming names", noting that individuals who must be arrested, will be, whatever the threats...
Taking stock of the Inquiry into the fire of the Tabarre market, the Commissioner of Croix des Bouquets confirmed that Jean Frantz Théodat, the Mayor of Tabarre was still banned from leaving the country, and that 21 people are currently behind bars for their alleged involvement. For Mr. Beauvoir, the origin of the fire that ravaged the market of Tabarre, falls within the following of the seizure of narcotics...
(Haiti Libre) -
Following an operation in late February, led by the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ), agents of the Counternarcotics Unit (BLTS), with the support of American agents of the DEA (Drug Administration Forcing), which allowed the seizure of 300 kg of drugs, estimated asU.S. $2 million, in a house in Tabarre; Mr. Mario Beauvoir, the Government Commissioner of Croix-des-Bouquet, who was present during the operation, revealed this week that he had received death threats.
Mr. Beauvoir indicated that he would file a complaint against X. Avoiding the mentioning of names, he explained; ""the justice does not live on scandals. This is why I refrain from naming names", noting that individuals who must be arrested, will be, whatever the threats...
Taking stock of the Inquiry into the fire of the Tabarre market, the Commissioner of Croix des Bouquets confirmed that Jean Frantz Théodat, the Mayor of Tabarre was still banned from leaving the country, and that 21 people are currently behind bars for their alleged involvement. For Mr. Beauvoir, the origin of the fire that ravaged the market of Tabarre, falls within the following of the seizure of narcotics...
ARTICLE - ECONOMY - SOLDIERS A NUISANCE
REMOBILIZED SOLDIERS A NUISANCE TO THE ECONOMY SAYS KESNER PHAREL
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - The movement of former soldiers of the Armed Forces of Haiti can be an obstacle for economic development according to Economist Kesner Pharel.
The economist says armed men claiming to be the FADH, who do not take into account the releases of the Minister of the Interior and National Defence, asking them to empty public sites they occupy illegally, is an anomaly.
In the opinion of Pharel, the refusal of former soldiers to submit to the demand of Minister Thierry Mayard-Paul, clearly shows that the state is almost nonexistent.
"The state is in all countries, the monopolist of violence. When there is competition in the violence, the state does not exist," said the economist stating that today also the security of the Haitian population is uncertain, as there are many legal and illegal armed groups.
Moreover, the CEO of growth attracts the attention of authorities on the climate of insecurity, which is a real stumbling block to investment.
"There is PNH, MINUSTAH, and what is worse, men claiming to be former soldiers of an unknown number in the possession of weapons," growls Kesner Pharel.
He called the government to work to redress the situation, thus promoting a truly open business Haiti.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - The movement of former soldiers of the Armed Forces of Haiti can be an obstacle for economic development according to Economist Kesner Pharel.
The economist says armed men claiming to be the FADH, who do not take into account the releases of the Minister of the Interior and National Defence, asking them to empty public sites they occupy illegally, is an anomaly.
In the opinion of Pharel, the refusal of former soldiers to submit to the demand of Minister Thierry Mayard-Paul, clearly shows that the state is almost nonexistent.
"The state is in all countries, the monopolist of violence. When there is competition in the violence, the state does not exist," said the economist stating that today also the security of the Haitian population is uncertain, as there are many legal and illegal armed groups.
Moreover, the CEO of growth attracts the attention of authorities on the climate of insecurity, which is a real stumbling block to investment.
"There is PNH, MINUSTAH, and what is worse, men claiming to be former soldiers of an unknown number in the possession of weapons," growls Kesner Pharel.
He called the government to work to redress the situation, thus promoting a truly open business Haiti.
ARTICLE - MARTELLY - CONTROL EX-SOLDIERS
HAITIAN PRESIDENT URGED TO CONTROL EX-SOLDIERS
(Chicago Tribune) - By Joseph Guyler Delva (Reuters)
PORT-AU-PRINCE - A Haitian government panel has urged the president to appoint an interim commander to take charge of former soldiers, a panel member said on Saturday, as the leader of a successful 2004 uprising warned that ex-members of the military could seize power.
Several thousand former members of the military that was disbanded in 1995 by then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide after a series of coups, have occupied government buildings and former army camps, defying injunctions from the government to leave.
They are often seen armed and in military uniforms in the streets and sometimes even directing traffic, fueling concerns of instability in a nation still struggling to recover from a catastrophic 2010 earthquake.
A panel appointed by President Michel Martelly to study reviving the military recommended in a report that he appoint a provisional army high command to deal with thousands of former soldiers and young, armed volunteers who want the army restored, said George Michel, a well-known doctor and historian who is on the panel.
The report was submitted in late December but has not been made public.
"If there is a high command, all those who claim they are part of the military will have to comply with orders from their superiors," said Michel, who estimated the number of former soldiers and recruits at 15,000 and growing.
"Otherwise, even from their own point of view, they would not be able to continue to claim that they are members of the army."
More than two dozen of those former soldiers and new recruits, many armed and some in combat positions, accompanied Guy Philippe, who led the rebellion that toppled Aristide in 2004 and forced him into exile, as he gave a live interview on Radio Caraibes, Haiti's most popular station.
Aristide returned to Haiti a year ago.
"The warning I could send is that before long those groups will reach 30,000 men and any general that could emerge as their leader could take over power," Philippe told Reuters after the interview.
He urged Martelly to accept the commission's recommendations and appoint an interim high commander to take charge of them.
"They have weapons, they are trained and if they become a loose army, no one will be able to control them," Philippe said.
Martelly supports the idea of reconstituting the army but has called on the ex-soldiers to put down their weapons and vacate the camps until the government makes a decision.
He has said Haitians would prefer to have their country protected by its own army rather than United Nations troops who have acted as peacekeepers in the impoverished Caribbean nation on and off since 1994.
U.N. officials are concerned that restoring the army could undermine international efforts to train and equip a new civilian police force, a key goal of the U.N. mission in Haiti. Critics also point to the army's appalling human rights record, including a bloody coup in 1991.
DEA TARGET
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has tried several times to arrest Philippe on drug trafficking charges.
The U.S. agency launched two failed raids in 2007 and 2009 - one in the southern city of Les Cayes and the other in the southwestern town of Pestel - using helicopters and other means to try to capture Philippe. He went into hiding, but still has made occasional surprise appearances in public.
Philippe's appearance at the radio station marked the first time his presence was announced in advance. On Thursday in the northern town of Cap-Haitien, he participated in a march organized by former soldiers to request the return of the army.
"DEA has no authority to arrest anyone in Haiti. The law says who can arrest who in Haiti. I am no drug dealer. They are only making a plot to assassinate me," Philippe said.
He was cheered by dozens of spectators as he left the radio station and was escorted to his vehicle by former soldiers. Philippe said he would spend the night in the Lamentin Camp, a former military training camp in the capital that is now occupied by several thousand ex-soldiers and their allies.
(Editing by Jane Sutton, David Adams and Paul Simao)
(Chicago Tribune) - By Joseph Guyler Delva (Reuters)
PORT-AU-PRINCE - A Haitian government panel has urged the president to appoint an interim commander to take charge of former soldiers, a panel member said on Saturday, as the leader of a successful 2004 uprising warned that ex-members of the military could seize power.
Several thousand former members of the military that was disbanded in 1995 by then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide after a series of coups, have occupied government buildings and former army camps, defying injunctions from the government to leave.
They are often seen armed and in military uniforms in the streets and sometimes even directing traffic, fueling concerns of instability in a nation still struggling to recover from a catastrophic 2010 earthquake.
A panel appointed by President Michel Martelly to study reviving the military recommended in a report that he appoint a provisional army high command to deal with thousands of former soldiers and young, armed volunteers who want the army restored, said George Michel, a well-known doctor and historian who is on the panel.
The report was submitted in late December but has not been made public.
"If there is a high command, all those who claim they are part of the military will have to comply with orders from their superiors," said Michel, who estimated the number of former soldiers and recruits at 15,000 and growing.
"Otherwise, even from their own point of view, they would not be able to continue to claim that they are members of the army."
More than two dozen of those former soldiers and new recruits, many armed and some in combat positions, accompanied Guy Philippe, who led the rebellion that toppled Aristide in 2004 and forced him into exile, as he gave a live interview on Radio Caraibes, Haiti's most popular station.
Aristide returned to Haiti a year ago.
"The warning I could send is that before long those groups will reach 30,000 men and any general that could emerge as their leader could take over power," Philippe told Reuters after the interview.
He urged Martelly to accept the commission's recommendations and appoint an interim high commander to take charge of them.
"They have weapons, they are trained and if they become a loose army, no one will be able to control them," Philippe said.
Martelly supports the idea of reconstituting the army but has called on the ex-soldiers to put down their weapons and vacate the camps until the government makes a decision.
He has said Haitians would prefer to have their country protected by its own army rather than United Nations troops who have acted as peacekeepers in the impoverished Caribbean nation on and off since 1994.
U.N. officials are concerned that restoring the army could undermine international efforts to train and equip a new civilian police force, a key goal of the U.N. mission in Haiti. Critics also point to the army's appalling human rights record, including a bloody coup in 1991.
DEA TARGET
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has tried several times to arrest Philippe on drug trafficking charges.
The U.S. agency launched two failed raids in 2007 and 2009 - one in the southern city of Les Cayes and the other in the southwestern town of Pestel - using helicopters and other means to try to capture Philippe. He went into hiding, but still has made occasional surprise appearances in public.
Philippe's appearance at the radio station marked the first time his presence was announced in advance. On Thursday in the northern town of Cap-Haitien, he participated in a march organized by former soldiers to request the return of the army.
"DEA has no authority to arrest anyone in Haiti. The law says who can arrest who in Haiti. I am no drug dealer. They are only making a plot to assassinate me," Philippe said.
He was cheered by dozens of spectators as he left the radio station and was escorted to his vehicle by former soldiers. Philippe said he would spend the night in the Lamentin Camp, a former military training camp in the capital that is now occupied by several thousand ex-soldiers and their allies.
(Editing by Jane Sutton, David Adams and Paul Simao)
ARTICLE - SEN. PRESIDENT - CONSTITUTION
SENATE PRESIDENT URGES PUBLICATION OF HAITIAN CONSTITUTION
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - The Senate President, Simon Desras pleaded on Thursday for the publication of the Constitution of Haiti, amended and ratified May 2011.
President Martelly had hinted recently that he would publish the Constitution against the advice of his advisers.
According to Senator Desras, President of the National Assembly, "the publication of the amendment reconfirms the sovereignty of a free and independent state..."
Enumerating the benefits of a publication, the parliamentarian believes that this amendment would integrate the Diaspora into the reconstruction of the country, and give him the right to vote; the establishment of the Constitutional Council, the Permanent Electoral Council, and an implementation route for a national army.
Since independence Haiti has had 22 constitutions.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - The Senate President, Simon Desras pleaded on Thursday for the publication of the Constitution of Haiti, amended and ratified May 2011.
President Martelly had hinted recently that he would publish the Constitution against the advice of his advisers.
According to Senator Desras, President of the National Assembly, "the publication of the amendment reconfirms the sovereignty of a free and independent state..."
Enumerating the benefits of a publication, the parliamentarian believes that this amendment would integrate the Diaspora into the reconstruction of the country, and give him the right to vote; the establishment of the Constitutional Council, the Permanent Electoral Council, and an implementation route for a national army.
Since independence Haiti has had 22 constitutions.
ARTICLE - U.S. AMBASSADOR SURPISED
NATIONALITY: U.S. AMBASSADOR SURPRISED BY HAITIAN POLITICIANS
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - The U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth H. Merten, says he is surprised at the behavior of Haitian lawmakers regarding the nationality investigation of President Michel Martelly, and other members of the executive government.
In an interview with TV Metropole, the American diplomat said he was dismayed when he criticized for his silence, and then criticized for his intervention.
Merten said he received approval from the United States State Department and from President Michel Martelly to publicly declare Martelly not a U.S. citizen.
On TV Metropole, Merten supported his declaration saying it is impossible for a person to be both a holder of U.S. citizenship and a residence card of the United States. Merten said that President Martelly had returned to the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince his residence card after his election in May 2011. Asked about other names or aliases, the diplomat said that his research has concluded that Mr. Martelly is not a U.S. citizen.
The Senate continues its investigation, although Ambassador Merten does not understand why. The Senate committee have lambasted Merten for his informality with the congressional inquiry.
Senator Nenel Cassy (Nippes/Inite) has asked Ambassador Merten to formalize the information he would have on the president, before the senate.
Senator Jean Charles Moise (Nord/Inite), who chairs the senate inquiry commission declared a number of travel documents given by President Martelly for the investigation to be doctored and records destroyed. The former Consul of Haiti, Senator Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aime (Nord-Est/Inite) declared one passport is forged.
Senator Steven Benoit (Ouest/Alternative) said a new correspondence was sent the head of state to seek a 9th passport, and a copy of his residency card.
Senator Francois Anick Joseph (Artibonite/Alternative) believes the case has just opened and believes more information on the president's alias, Michael Martelly, should be provided.
The President of the Lower House, Deputy Levaillant Louis-Jeune (Desdunes/Inite) said the U.S. Ambassador should not believe he can close a congressional investigation.
Deputy Arnel Belizaire (Delmas/Independent) recently returned from Washington D.C. and submitted, on the order of 1,000, pages of public records on President Martelly and members of the government.
Since its establishment in November, the senate investigation has led to the resignation of 4 members of the executive.
(Defend Haiti) -
PORT-AU-PRINCE - The U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth H. Merten, says he is surprised at the behavior of Haitian lawmakers regarding the nationality investigation of President Michel Martelly, and other members of the executive government.
In an interview with TV Metropole, the American diplomat said he was dismayed when he criticized for his silence, and then criticized for his intervention.
Merten said he received approval from the United States State Department and from President Michel Martelly to publicly declare Martelly not a U.S. citizen.
On TV Metropole, Merten supported his declaration saying it is impossible for a person to be both a holder of U.S. citizenship and a residence card of the United States. Merten said that President Martelly had returned to the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince his residence card after his election in May 2011. Asked about other names or aliases, the diplomat said that his research has concluded that Mr. Martelly is not a U.S. citizen.
The Senate continues its investigation, although Ambassador Merten does not understand why. The Senate committee have lambasted Merten for his informality with the congressional inquiry.
Senator Nenel Cassy (Nippes/Inite) has asked Ambassador Merten to formalize the information he would have on the president, before the senate.
Senator Jean Charles Moise (Nord/Inite), who chairs the senate inquiry commission declared a number of travel documents given by President Martelly for the investigation to be doctored and records destroyed. The former Consul of Haiti, Senator Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aime (Nord-Est/Inite) declared one passport is forged.
Senator Steven Benoit (Ouest/Alternative) said a new correspondence was sent the head of state to seek a 9th passport, and a copy of his residency card.
Senator Francois Anick Joseph (Artibonite/Alternative) believes the case has just opened and believes more information on the president's alias, Michael Martelly, should be provided.
The President of the Lower House, Deputy Levaillant Louis-Jeune (Desdunes/Inite) said the U.S. Ambassador should not believe he can close a congressional investigation.
Deputy Arnel Belizaire (Delmas/Independent) recently returned from Washington D.C. and submitted, on the order of 1,000, pages of public records on President Martelly and members of the government.
Since its establishment in November, the senate investigation has led to the resignation of 4 members of the executive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)