INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION: Report on Mission to Haiti

Summary: Pages 15 - 16 detail the situation of children.

[WASHINGTON, D.C., 14 April 2008] - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has today published a report on its visit to the Republic of Haiti from 16-20 April 2007. The report contains observations from a delegation of the IACHR led by Sir Clare K. Roberts, Commissioner and Rapporteur for Haiti, invited by the government of Haiti.

The report analyses the state of the justice system, public security and the situation of women and children. 

The report mentions progress made by the government in dealing with some issues. A reduction in violent crime has been recorded since the beginning of 2007 as a result of the work of the Haitian National Police and the UN Stablisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) forces as well as the courts. It also acknowledges measures taken to address concerns about the justice system, such as prolonged pre-trial detention periods in Haiti’s prison facilities.

“The Commission is encouraged by the State’s demonstrated efforts, adopted since early 2007, to exert control over once gang-ridden areas of Port-au-Prince, to ensure greater public security for Haitians and to apprehend, prosecute and punish suspected criminals. Nevertheless, the Commission considers that in order to ensure a climate of lasting peace and long-term stability and growth in the country, immediate and long-term measures must be taken by the government of Haiti, with the critical support of the international community,” the report says.

The Commission recommends: 

  • the adoption of measures to improve public security and to promote the professional development of the Haitian National Police.
  • that the government develop and implement a national, comprehensive judicial reform programme and take urgent measures to improve the living conditions of people in prison.

Further information

 

 

pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/CIDH_Haiti_visit.pdf

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