Thousands flood the streets in South Florida to rally for Haiti as kidnappings, violence surge
Miami Herald
Updated July 09, 2023 6:25 PM
Haitians take to the streets in Port-au-Prince to match for an end to gang violence and kidnappings. The march was organized by Miami pastor Gregory Toussaint, who organized similar marches across the United States and elsewhere. By Video Courtesy: Johnny Fils-Aime
North Miami
More than 2,000 people filled the streets marching under sweltering heat in North Miami Sunday afternoon to rally in support for the people of Haiti and to protest ongoing gang violence, political instability and corruption.
“We are marching against violence, we are marching against kidnapping,” Anna Dorvilier, 40, from West Palm Beach, yelled waving a sign that read “If we are not on the table, we are on the menu.”
Chanting and singing “Jistis pou Ayiti” and “Souf pou Ayiti” — Creole for “Justice for Haiti” and “Relief for Haiti” — the crowds waved tiny Haitian flags and followed a tractor trailer truck with an elevated platform carrying dignitaries like Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, clergy and musicians
“We are united for Haiti, and God’s ears are open today,” Levine Cava said.
Dance and church music boomed over huge speakers towed by the truck and the people in back and ahead of the semi sang along.
“We want everyone to hear our voices,” said marcher Mana Pierre-Louis, a 31-year-old who moved to South Florida from Haiti seven years ago. “We need a solution to Haiti now.”
The “Relief for Haiti” rally was organized by pastor Gregory Toussaint, senior pastor of Tabernacle of Glory Church in North Miami. Toussaint, who is CEO of Shekinah.fm. The North Miami was among several the pastor organized in major cities across the United States and in Haiti itself. He decided to organize a March after a petition drive to get support for a sanctions bill in congress garnered more than 100,000 signatures in a week.
Toussaint’s goal was to bring together Haitians in the U.S., Haiti, Canada and France in an effort to bring awareness to the escalating gang violence and kidnappings in the Caribbean country, and demand something be done.
CARDH : Two years after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse
Two years after the assassination by Colombian mercenaries and former agents of the American secret services, aided by units of presidential security, the Haitian justice system is standing still, alternatively five investigating magistrates who have already been appointed in turn to investigate the case
The first four each had a reason to divest themselves. The last, Walter Wesser Voltaire, whose trial period has expired since 30 October 2022, decides to keep the file, in violation of the law on investigation and in contempt of the prosecutor’s office, jurisdiction of the prosecution for which he is investigating, and the dean, court administrator.
At the same time, the American justice is making great strides in its investigation. Rodolphe Jaar, one of 11 suspects detained in the United States, was sentenced to life imprisonment on 2 June 2023. The trial of the other suspects is scheduled for May 2024.
As a transnational crime and faced with the limits of Haitian justice (political, procedural, security, jurisdictional problems...) further weakened by the investigation of the American justice, another legal system (Common Law) having a large machine to exercise its extraterritorial powers, the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse should be dealt with by a special court or a special chamber for an effective justice. It is an obligation of international cooperation stemming from international morality and solidarity.
To assist the Haitian authorities and international cooperation in exploring this option, this report presents the six existing hybrid tribunals: i) Extraordinary Chambers of Cambodian Courts; ii) Special Tribunal for Lebanon; iii) Tribunal for Sierra Leone; iv) special African chambers; v) special chambers for Kosovo; vi) special criminal court in the Central African Republic.
An addition to this document, 15 reports and press releases published by CARDH on the issue are recommended.
S. Communication
CARDH
Centre d'analyse et de recherche en droits de l'homme
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SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS
OPEN SESSION
Briefing by Ms. María Isabel Salvador
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of BINUH
6 July 2023
Madam President,
Distinguished Members of the Council,
Tomorrow, 7 July marks the second anniversary of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The call for those responsible for this heinous crime to be brought to justice, continues. His assassination submerged Haiti into a deeper political crisis which has been exacerbated by an unprecedented breakdown of security, with criminal armed gangs imposing a regime of terror and violence in most parts of Port-au-Prince. This grave situation is compounded by the humanitarian, human rights and socio-economic crises the country is facing.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Comme le Secrétaire-Générale a dit lors de sa récente visite en Haïti : “Il ne peut y avoir de sécurité durable sans un rétablissement des institutions démocratiques – et il est impossible de parvenir à des solutions politiques pérennes et pleinement représentatives sans une amélioration drastique de la situation sécuritaire.”
Since my first briefing to the Council two and a half months ago, some progress has been made on the implementation of the 21 December Agreement, which defines the framework of our engagement with national authorities and other stakeholders.
Within this framework, the High Transitional Council organized a Forum in May which gathered representatives, from across the country, of the political, civil society and private sector, including non-signatories of the 21 December Agreement. The Forum provided an opportunity for all Haitian stakeholders to discuss key issues around constitutional and electoral reforms, good governance and socio-economic issues. The Forum adopted a Joint Declaration including a call for the deployment of a “robust international support to the Haitian National Police”.
As part of the Haitian political dialogue, I want to highlight the initiative of CARICOM, through its Eminent Persons Group, to organize last June a meeting of Haitian stakeholders in Jamaica, which brought together Prime Minister Henry, political parties, and civil society groups.
Upon his return from Jamaica, Prime Minister Henry committed to changes in the cabinet to make it politically more inclusive; to the enlargement of the High Transitional Council; and to expediting the submission of candidates for the Provisional Electoral Council. I hope these commitments soon materialize. Through my good offices I will spare no effort to continue supporting dialogue initiatives on the way forward.
As parties engaged on continuous dialogue, I look forward to the visit to Haiti of CARICOM’s Eminent Persons Group in continued support to furthering inter-Haitian consultations under the auspices of the High Transitional Council.
The Secretary-General’s solidarity and working visit to Haiti casts the limelight on the imperative of action by Haitians and the international community. The Secretary-General met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the High Transitional Council, a cross section of the political parties and civil society organizations. He impressed upon all the need to move forward with dialogue and his unwavering support for the deployment of a “robust international Force” to assist the Haitian National Police.
Among the people of Haiti, across the entire political spectrum, there is widespread backing for the deployment of such a Force. It is true that the talk of the presence of an international Force in Haiti, could elicit mixed reactions. Similar to what the Secretary-General heard during his visit to Haiti, I too have heard appeals, since my arrival, for international security support. The robust international Force that Haiti needs must complement and strengthen - not replace - the Haitian National Police, in full respect for Haiti’s national sovereignty.
At the CARICOM Heads of State meeting this week in Trinidad and Tobago, when discussing Haiti, the Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need for a “robust international force authorized by the Security Council” and reiterated his call earlier today
While the political transition and the fight against gangs should remain on separate tracks, the two are inextricably linked.
Improved security and continuous political dialogue would bring about the possibility to hold elections; a critical step on the path to reestablishing democratic institutions and elected officials at all levels of government.
The Justice sector continues to face severe challenges, but there are some glimmers of hope, which include the passing of a decree against corruption, money-laundering and illegal arms trade. I am also hopeful by the national authorities’ ongoing efforts on improving the vetting and certification process within the judicial system.
The dire security situation in Haiti has gotten worse since my first briefing to the Council. Violence continues and has intensified, moving beyond Port-au-Prince as noted in the Secretary-General’s report. The appearance of vigilante groups adds another layer of complexity. Since April, BINUH has documented the killing of at least 264 alleged gang members by vigilante groups.
Sexual violence, including collective rape and mutilation, continues to be used by gangs to terrorize and inflict pain on populations and neighborhoods under the control of rivals.
In addition to physical and mental harm, gang violence also has a deep detrimental impact on economic and social rights. Access to education, food, water, sanitation, and healthcare services has been severely limited by gang activity. In areas affected by gang violence, economic activities are periodically - if not permanently - paralyzed.
At the end of June, the UN Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti completed his first visit to the country. I heard directly from him about the dire situation of Human Rights. Of his greatest concern is the inhumane detention conditions and staggering levels of pretrial detention., the wide-spread gender-based violence and the mass deportations of Haitians by some countries.
The humanitarian situation is increasingly grim and likely to deteriorate even further. Today, 5.2 million people, including nearly 3 million children, require urgent humanitarian support and protection.
Haiti has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world, with 4.9 million people suffering from it.
Increased violence in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area has displaced nearly 128,000 people from their homes, prompting an increase in migration. Haiti’s health care system is close to collapse.
The country also remains highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. In early June, deadly floods, followed by an earthquake, killed 58 people and impacted 45,000 households.
This situation is exacerbated by soaring inflation and the depreciation of the Haitian Gourde eroding the purchasing power of the population.
Despite the difficult security situation and related constraints, the UN continues to have access to hard-to-reach areas to serve the communities most impacted by the crisis and remains fully mobilized to support all Haitians.
Respected Members of the Security Council,
The Chairperson of the Sanctions Committee as well as the Panel of Experts visited Haiti in June. The Executive Directors of UNICEF and WFP jointly visited the country.
We had also the important visit of Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo last weekend. She had fruitful meetings, including with Government officials, the Director General of Haitian National Police, and women and other civil society groups.
All these important visits create momentum and general international interest on the complex situation in Haiti.
Madam President, Members of the Council,
As you know, BINUH’s mandate renewal is upon us. I ask for your support in ensuring that BINUH is adequately resourced to effectively and efficiently deliver its mandate and help Haiti out of these crises, while ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel. I want to recognize the courage and commitment of all the national and international personnel of the UN system in Haiti for their work and commitment in such a hostile security environment.
This is a critical moment, which we cannot afford to waste. This is a time for international solidarity and immediate action. Je vous remercie.