Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 24 décembre 2015

 New Haiti commission to evaluate elections

The commission, created by order of the president, will assess Haiti's electoral process ahead of Dec. 27 runoffs

December 17, 2015 

President Michel Martelly on Thursday ordered the creation of a special commission to assess Haiti's electoral process ahead of Dec. 27 presidential and legislative runoffs that opposition factions have threatened to derail because of suspicions of widespread fraud.

Martelly, who has been ruling by decree since January, named five members to assess the electoral process over the next three days and then make recommendations to the Provisional Electoral Council and his government. He said they would have assistance from experts from the European Union and observers from the Organization of American States.

A broad array of rights groups, local election monitors and political factions has alleged that the Oct. 25 presidential and legislative elections in Haiti were so badly marred by ballot tampering, multiple voting and other irregularities that their validity was in question.

The No. 2 presidential finisher, Jude Celestin, has called the officially announced results a "ridiculous farce" and suggested he would boycott a runoff with the government-backed candidate who finished first unless a proper review of the elections was done and changes were made to the electoral council and police.

Celestin, a former state construction chief, has not been campaigning in recent weeks, but hasn't withdrawn from the runoff with Martelly's pick, political newcomer Jovenel Moise.

The council that oversees the electoral process has rejected insisted it lacks authority to authorize any review of the results and said the Dec. 27 date was firm.

Martelly was prohibited by Haiti's constitution from seeking a second consecutive term.

At a Thursday evening news conference, Prime Minister Evans Paul acknowledged that it would be "difficult" for elections to be held next weekend. But he also noted that the constitution mandates that new legislators take office Jan. 11 and the president give up his office Feb. 7.

It was not clear how the members of the new evaluation commission were chosen or what the precise scope of their review would be. Martelly said his "commission of evaluation" would be tasked with recommending measures to "ensure transparency and credibility of the electoral process."

The panel includes Patrick Aris of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, which has been sharply critical of this year's elections, as well as Rosny Desroches, director of a Haitian observer group, and former Port-au-Prince Mayor Joseph Emmanuel Charlemagne.

The two presidential candidates expected to compete in the runoff could have a representative monitor the commission's work, according to the presidential decree.

The Associated Press

teleSurtv.net Latin America

Haitians Claim Fraud Ahead Presidential Runoff  

The country’s electoral authority is believed to be highly influenced by the U.S., who poured US$31 million into the electoral process. Thousands of people took to the streets of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Wednesday to denounce fraud in the first round of the presidential and parliamentary elections that were held on Oct. 25.   According to results posted by the Provisional Electoral Council, Jovenel Moise, obtained 32.81 percent of the preferences, and Jude Celestin won 25.27 percent.  The electoral authority CEP is believed to be largely influenced by the United States that has paid US$31 million to support the electoral process, while protesters have largely demanded an independent commission to review the election outcome.   The massive march passed peacefully however there was an incident when some protesters began throwing stones to the U.N. peacekeepers that were helping authorities to safeguard the area.  ANALYSIS: Meet Haiti's Presidential Candidates  This is just another demonstration ahead of the runoff election scheduled for Dec. 27. The second round of voting will be between Moise, backed by the outgoing president and the ruling party, and Celestin, one of the more than 57 opposition candidates.  Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and still struggles with the legacy of the devastating 2010 earthquake and Western colonialism.   This electoral process was expected to end the political instability that has reigned in the Caribbean nation for the past three decades, particularly after the end of the Duvalier regime.  

The Senate rejects the government commission

In a note Thursday, the Senate deplored and denounced the establishment of a "Commission of Electoral Evaluation" and the unilateral character of the approach of the Executive.http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16089-haiti-flash-president-martelly-announced-the-creation-of-a-commission.html

"The Senate of the Republic deplores the decision of the Executive, which not only does not meet the demands of various sectors of the Nation but also does in no way contributes to resolving the crisis in the country."

Andris Riché, Senate President regrets that the position of the upper house has not been taken into account in the formation of the Commission, noting that the Senate had recommended the establishment of an independent Commission for the Evaluation and/or verification, to decide on the multiple allegations of fraud, irregularities surrounding the electoral process.

His colleague, Senator Jean-Baptiste Bien-Aimé rejects the formation of this Commission, that he described as diversionary tactic, arguing that election stakeholders should have participated in the formation of any commission. Moreover, he argues that the 5 members appointed by the Government, at one level or another, have links with the ruling party.

Haitians tell their embassy in Dominican capital to cut the red tape

Dominican TodaySaturday 19th December, 2015

Santo Domingo.- To the beat of a gaga rhythm and waving banners with their demands, dozens of Haitians protested outside the Haitian embassy in the Dominican Republic, alleging that they've already paid for all the documents needed to request Dominican residency but have yet to receive any.

Group spokesman Christophe Leonard said around 98,000 applications were submitted for the Dominican government program to regularize foreigners,

but have yet to receive any response not even from 5% of the requests.

For all of the three documents: birth certificate, ID card ...

Open our hearts to refugees

Consider refugees as persons, not problems.

MIAMI HERALD

Much of our Christmas observance has been sanitized to consist of warm fuzzy feelings. So it is not surprising that we forget that while Christmas celebrates the coming among us of the Prince of Peace, his coming was indeed “a sign of contradiction.”

We underplay the fact that the pregnant Mary and her husband, Joseph, were turned away from the inn. We forget the slaughter of the Holy Innocents — and that the infant Jesus was spared their fate only through the hurried flight into Egypt where the Holy Family lived for years as what today we would call “political refugees.”

WENSKI

Yet this is the Christmas reality experienced today by the ever growing numbers of migrants and refugees throughout the world. Indeed, today there are more than 60 million refugees and internally displaced persons living in our world — the greatest number since the end of World War II. Close to one-third of these people are from Syria and Iraq. And most are surviving in desperate circumstances. And, truth be told, many fail to survive at all.

Yet, in spite of this profound human suffering, many here in our country would shut our doors in the faces of those looking for a safe haven.

The United States has in the past 30-40 years generously resettled hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing conflict and its aftermath — Vietnamese from Southeast Asia, Kosovars from the Balkan region, and many African nationalities such as Congolese, Somalis and Sudanese, among others.

In the 1990s, nearly 90,000 refugees were admitted yearly. Given the immensity of the overall refugee population then, even 90,000 was a relatively low number. Yet it was more representative of the American people’s humanitarian traditions than the numbers admitted in the aftermath of our national tragedy of September 11, 2001.

We cannot give into our fear and retreat into the mindset of a “fortress America.” Certainly, given the enormity of what happened on 9/11 or what happened last month in Paris, one should not easily dismiss a certain anxiety about national security. But, in fact, refugees coming to the U.S. do pass security checks and multiple interviews. Sometimes the vetting process can take up to two years.

Certainly we can and should look at strengthening the already stringent screening program; yet we can do that while still continuing to welcome those in desperate need. Security fears should not be used as a smoke screen to justify heartless and senseless policies that would close our doors to victims of terrorism as the Bethlehem innkeepers closed their doors to the Holy Family that first Christmas.

The plight of the Syrians as well as the refugees from Iraq is desperate. These refugees — both Muslim and Christian — are extremely vulnerable families, women and children who are fleeing from brutal violence of the Syrian conflict, including the brutality of ISIS, which was responsible for the Paris attacks.

As Pope Francis said to the U.S. Congress this past September: We should “respond in a way which is always human, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ (Mt 7: 12).”

If we see the refugees as “persons” and not as “problems,” our great nation can continue to be a haven to those who, like Mary, Joseph and Jesus of yore, still flee from modern day Herods.

THOMAS G. WENSKI IS ARCHBISHOP OF MIAMI.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 30 décembre 2015

 Arrest in Haiti of a man wanted for murder in Boyton Beach

Boyton Beach (CBS MIAMI) – A man wanted in a Boyton Beach murder case is back in the United States after escaped to Haiti. U.S. Marshals and Haitian National Police took Caslyn Darinus 23, into custody on December 12^th.

A warrant had been issues for his arrest back in August following the robbery and murder of 46 year old Walson Alcide. Authorities found Alcide dead inside a Boyton Beach home located at 3211 N Seacrest Boulevard.

Following the murder, police say, Darimus made his way to New York and later to Haiti. He was extradited from Haiti to Florida last Friday. Once he arrived, he was booked into Palm Beach County jail. He is now facing charges for first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, home invasion robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm.

Another person was also charged in the case. Junior Volcy, 33 with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, home invasion robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm.

Roger Biamby

The US Congress Needs to Hear From the Haitian Diaspora Now! Stop US Support for Violent and Corrupt Elections in Haiti! 

As the evidence of problems with Haiti’s elections mounts, the Haitian Diaspora in the United States has a unique opportunity to convince the U.S. Government to insist on the fair elections that Haitian voters deserve.  Please call your Representative in Congress on Wednesday, December 23, and urge them to tell the State Department to stop supporting the fiasco.

Take Action   Calling is easy!

1. Dial the Capitol Switchboard – 202-224- 3121. Ask to be connected with your Representative’s office.  (Click here to find your Representative by name or zip-code).

2. You will be connected with Your Representative’s receptionist. Ask to speak to the staff person who handles international issues.

 3. Whether you speak to the staffer in person, or just leave a message on his/her voicemail, here’s what you can say:

“My name is ___________ and I am a constituent from __(your city)___.  I am calling to ask that Representative ___________ urge the State Department to stop supporting the corrupt and violent elections in Haiti. Going forward with the final round on December 27 without an independent investigation of the fraud and other problems so far will undermine Haiti’s democracy and risk chaos in the country.”

You can use your own words if you prefer, but remember to keep it brief. Do not worry that you are not prepared for a long discussion about the elections. The staff member will just take your message without asking for more details.

If for any reason the receptionist can’t connect you with the staff person who handles Haiti, you can just ask the receptionist to take down your message and relay it to both the staff person and to your Representative.

4. Be sure to thank everyone for their time.

Please call on Wednesday December 23 and tell your friends and family to call too, and share this with others.  Let’s show how powerful our united voices can be!  Thank you for taking a minute and making this important call.

ECOSOC United Nations Economic and Social Council: Security Council Press Statement on Haiti Elections

The following Security Council press statement was issued by Council President Samantha Power:

The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of holding peaceful and credible elections as a critical element of Haiti's ongoing development, and trust that, with the support of the international community, the Haitian people will build upon the first two rounds of Haitian elections on 9 August and 25 October, and be able to bring the electoral process to a successful conclusion in the upcoming final round.

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong commitment to supporting free and fair elections and called on all political forces to work through the electoral process to ensure that the will of the people is reflected in the outcome of the election.

The members of the Security Council called on all candidates, political parties, and political actors to publicly commit to the electoral process and timely Government formation in accordance with the constitutional timeframe, including the inauguration of a new president by 7 February 2016.

The members of the Security Council acknowledged the steps taken by Haitian institutions to take corrective measures to address irregularities and improve the upcoming round of elections, and encouraged continuing attention to transparency.

The members of the Security Council took note of the creation of a Commission of Evaluation in Haiti and expressed support for initiatives to increase the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

The members of the Security Council called upon all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other political actors to remain calm, refrain from violence or other provocations and resolve any electoral disputes through established legal mechanisms and to preserve the stability achieved in recent years with the support of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The members of the Security Council called upon the Haitian authorities to ensure a calm and peaceful environment, and urged MINUSTAH to continue to extend its critical support in this regard.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the continued efforts of the United Nations, other multilateral agencies and United Nations Member States in supporting Haiti's critical needs.

The members of the Security Council will continue to follow the situation on the ground in Haiti.

Martelly defends elections

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – President Michel Martelly is defending much-criticized elections in divided Haiti and asserts that the opposition has spread unsubstantiated allegations about widespread electoral fraud purely to strengthen its position.

During an interview with The Associated Press, Martelly said he believed that disputed official results showing the government-backed candidate topped October's first round presidential vote was a genuine reflection of voters' will.

"We feel confident enough that what happened the first time will happen again because it's the vote of the people," the outgoing president said Monday on the grounds where the domed National Palace once stood before it pancaked in Haiti's 2010 earthquake.

Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council reported that Jovenel Moise of Martelly's well-financed Tet Kale party received nearly 33 percent of the votes cast on Oct. 25 in a packed field of 54 presidential candidates. Official results have the agricultural entrepreneur, a political newcomer hand-picked by Martelly, getting 117,602 more votes than second-place finisher Jude Celestin, a former state construction chief who was the government-backed candidate in the last election cycle.

Growing allegations of electoral fraud have brought sometimes violent street protests and so many accusations from civil society, religious and opposition groups that Haiti's Dec. 27 runoffs were postponed Monday.

For now, no immediate resolution to Haiti's electoral tensions is in sight. Officials say a new election date won't be announced until a special commission created by presidential decree can review the electoral process and make recommendations. A five-member commission was installed Tuesday night.

Martelly suggested that critics have wildly exaggerated the extent of irregularities on Oct. 25. On the whole, he said, balloting was remarkably "free and fair" in a country where elections have never been easy and are often marred by violence, intimidation and other irregularities.

He noted that after polls closed, international electoral missions and local groups hailed it as an apparent success. That contrasted sharply with an earlier legislative round in August that suffered from violent disturbances and other irregularities, even though international monitors said they were not serious enough to disrupt the legitimacy of the overall vote.

Martelly said the opposition was so troubled by Moise' status as the top finisher that leading figures started denouncing the elections as a mockery of democracy. Celestin has called the first-round results a "ridiculous farce."

"It looked like the potential winner was not what the opposition expected, so the same minute, the same night, they started building that perception" of fraud, Martelly said.

Opposition factions and some observer groups suspect fraudsters used some of the roughly 900,000 accreditations issued for political party representatives to facilitate multiple voting. There are also accusations that electoral council officials accepted bribes to secure spots in runoffs, among other allegations.

The various accusations have raised so many suspicions here and abroad that Martelly, under pressure, announced the creation of the evaluation commission. The idea was dismissed as merely a "cosmetic solution" by the opposition, but Martelly says his priority is a credible final round that will be recognized as legitimate.

In a Tuesday statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over Haiti's electoral crisis and called for intensified dialogue "to ensure the transfer of power through elections" within the constitutional time frame.

Martelly, who was prohibited from running for a consecutive term, is due to leave office Feb. 7.

This year's balloting for nearly all of Haiti's public offices have been the first elections under Martelly's tenure. Despite pressure from the U.N., U.S. and others, previous efforts to hold legislative and local votes were snarled by bitter infighting between the executive and legislative branches.

Although Celestin's opposition alliance has called for resignations at the electoral council and judicial investigations, Martelly said the council, known as the CEP, has proven itself "strong enough and independent enough." He noted that the body was loudly praised as independent when it rejected first lady Sophia Martelly's bid to run for a Senate seat.

People said "that this was the best CEP, particularly at the time that they kicked my wife out of the race," he said.

Martelly said his main remaining task is handing over the reins to a legitimate government. He said he is seeking compromises with Celestin's camp, senators and the electoral council to ensure runoffs occur soon, but charged that some opposition factions are trying to derail elections so a transitional government would have to be put in place.

"They believe this is the only way they can get in power and also the only way they can organize elections for themselves," he said.

Three young people murdered in a bus on the road of Jacmel

According to Commissioner Frantz Lerebours, spokesman of the National police force of Haiti (PNH) last Tuesday evening, December 22nd, at 8 pm, three young men were murdered on the road to Jacmel, in the locality of Fondwa, while they were inside a public transportation vehicle servicing the Jacmel-Port-au-Prince route.

The information released by the Police suggests that the murderer just like victims was among the passengers on the bus in question. However the murderer was able to escape.

All the passengers of the vehicle were questioned at the local police station of the PNH in order to shed some light on this triple murder, which in many ways resembles an execution indicated commissioner Lerebours.

Ban Ki Moon expressed his concerns regarding the elections in Haiti

The general Secretary of the United Nations is advocating for more intense dialogues to ensure the transfer of power takes place through elections following the constitutional deadlines in order to maintain stability and protect the democratic process.

Since taking office on January 1st, 2007 Ban Ki Moon visited Haiti on July 14th, 2014 when he spent 48 hours.

The eighth general Secretary of the organization of United Nations said he is worried by the increasing political uncertainty in Haiti

He called upon both candidates qualified for the second round to cooperate with institutions concerned in order to advance the process.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 4 janvier 2016

 Haiti: the elections of October 25th "plagued with irregularities"

The Independent Electoral Commission determined, in its report published last Sunday, that the general and presidential election which took place in Haiti on October 25th were "plagued with irregularities," as denounces by the opposition since the vote.

During the first round of the presidential elections of October 25th, the candidate backed by the administration, Jovenel Moïse collected 32.76 % of the votes, compared to 25.29 % for Jude Célestin.

Since the announcement of these results at the end of November by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the Haitian opposition denounced massive frauds to benefit Jovenel Moïse. His opponent Jude Célestin refused to campaign before the creation of an independent commission to investigate these charges.

In response to these demands, President Michel Martelly released a decree on December 22nd announcing the implementation of an "Independent Commission for Electoral Evaluation."

In its report, submitted officially to the president last Saturday night, the commission lays the blame primarily on the CEP, whose mediocre work is first cause for the election irregularities.

During an interview with the members of the commission, the CEP recognized the weakness of its preparation, "The electoral institution admits that more than 60 % of the members of polling stations were incapable of correctly carrying out the required work,” indicated the report. In addition, the commission found many poorly written CEP reports, with deletions, mistakes, and calculation errors.

Voter signatures or fingerprints were missing from 57 % of reports analyzed by the commission, and out of 47 % of the verified documents, the numbers of the voters identification cards were incorrect. These identification cards are the document every citizen necessarily must present in order to be able to vote. For the commission, these irregularities are signs of potential stuffing of ballot boxes, read the 14-page report.

Haiti vote was marred by fraud: probe

Port-au-Prince (AFP) - Haiti's first round of presidential and legislative voting was marred by fraud, as opposition forces have charged, an independent panel said in its report released Sunday.

In the October 25 first round to choose a successor to President Michel Martelly, the candidate he backed -- Jovenel Moise -- drew 32.8 percent of the vote against 25.3 percent for Jude Celestin.

A runoff had been due to go ahead on December 27 but was canceled after fraud allegations.

The first round and the subsequent lengthy and delayed vote count was marked by street protests alleging official corruption.

Celestin refused to campaign until an independent electoral commission was set up.

The commission said in its report that work by the government's Electoral Board was sloppy, and led to many irregularities.

When the independent commission spoke with members of the (CEP) board, they said that 60 percent of polling station staffers were unable to do their work properly, the report said.

"There were also votes crossed out, as well as math or tallying problems," it added. Additional woes were found in voter ID inspection.

That likely meant "votes were not cast by some voters even though they were eligible to do so," the report stressed.

The October presidential election was the latest attempt in the Americas' poorest country to shed chronic political instability and work toward development.

Haiti is still struggling to recover from a devastating 2010 earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people and crippled the nation's infrastructure.

After being mired for years in a political crisis that kept any elections from being held, Haiti has been on an electoral marathon this year, holding presidential, legislative and now finally these municipal elections.

Since the end of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has been jolted by coups and contested elections that have further undermined the fragile economy.

Haitian President says postponed runoff elections are slated for January 17

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - JAN. 1, 2016, 6:15 P.M. E.S.T.PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian President Michel Martelly has announced that a postponed presidential runoff vote will be held on Jan. 17.

Martelly says he received two letters from Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council warning that to fulfill the constitutional mandate of inaugurating a new president on Feb. 7, the runoff should be held by Jan. 17 at the latest.

On Friday, Martelly called on Haitians "to vote en masse, like they should, for the person who best represents them."

The council earlier postponed the Dec. 27 presidential runoff to allow a five-member commission to address allegations of multiple voting and ballot tampering.

The opposition is demanding an independent review of the late October first round of voting which it insists was rigged in favor of government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise. Jude Celestin came in second.

Haiti probe finds problems, but says election can go ahead

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A commission probing Haiti's disputed presidential election reported Sunday that a first-round vote was plagued by irregularities, but indicated a final run-off can take place as scheduled in two weeks.

The report says the Oct. 25 contest between 54 candidates was "stained by irregularities," in which poll watchers intervened to help several candidates, whom it doesn't name. It recommends possible legal action against poll workers and others involved.

It also urges measures to improve the transparency of the election, saying the dispute over the October vote shows "clearly that the electoral institution no longer enjoys the credibility that permits it to continue with the process without the danger of sinking the country into a still-more-serious crisis."

But it did not indicate that the problems were serious enough to affect the outcome of the October vote or force further delay of the planned Jan. 17 run-off.

Opposition parties dispute official results showing pro-government candidate Moise Jovenel topping the October vote. He's due to confront second-place finisher Jude Celestin, who also has challenged the official count.

Because of the dispute, which led to boisterous street protests, Haiti's electoral council postponed the runoff, which was initially set for December, and the government named the commission to look at the process and recommend changes.

Brazil Grants Permanent Residence to 43,781 Haitians

According to Dreamim tv,

The Brazilian government announced last Wednesday the extension of legal permanent residence to 43,781 Haitian immigrants who have entered the South American nation over the past five years.

The “joint act of recognition, authorization and concession of permanence” was signed in Brasilia by the ministers of justice, Jose Eduardo Cardozo, and labor, Miguel Rossetto.

Under the plan, the undocumented Haitians who slipped into the Brazilian state of Acre from Peru and Bolivia will be able to remain in the country and seek employment.

“This act establishes a period of up to a year for them to request a foreign resident identification document. Those Haitians are formally accepted by Brazil with stability and security,” Rossetto said.

Cardozo said the Haitians are receiving the same treatment given to foreign nationals who have Brazilian spouses or children. The authorization offers the Haitians “a prospect of definitive permanence so they can reside and enjoy all the rights of a foreigner in Brazil,” the justice minister said. Those rights include eligibility for government assistance, he said.

The Haitians in Acre, who were brought to Brazil by smugglers, initially applied for refugee status, but as that process dragged on, authorities began to provide them with provisional visas that allowed the migrants to travel to other parts of the country in search of employment.

While none of the Haitians has received refugee status, the number of people accepted by Brazil as refugees has doubled in the past four years, from 4,218 in 2012 to 8,400 over the first seven months of 2015.

The earth trembled in the North / Northeast of Haiti

Last Saturday, a moderate earthquake of 4.5 magnitude 4.5 on the Ritcher scale shook the island of Hispaniola. Its epicenter was situated in Montecristi, 5 km northwest of Villa Vasquez in the Dominican Republic. It was felt at 10:25 am in the North / Northeast of Haiti, in particular in Ouanamithe, Fort-freedom, Cap-Haïtien (77km of the epicenter), and in Dajabón, Montecristi, Villa Vasquez, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde (Mao) and other cities in the Northern Region of the Dominican Republic.

In Ouanaminthe, the shock caused a great deal of confusion and a wave of panic, as frightened residents ran away from their houses, still remembering the terrible earthquake of January 12th, 2010, which destroyed parts of Port-au-Prince and the other cities in Haiti.

It should be noted that earthquakes of 4.5 on the Ritcher Scale occur on average 6,000 times a year in the world. They causes visible damage to objects inside houses. Windows, doors and plates all tremble, and the vibrations are felt by people. However the damage they cause remains usually very light.

The Haitian Ministry of Defense, reminded that Haiti is a country at seismic risk, located between two big tectonic plates. He underlined that from time to time, small shockwaves can occur and that in spite of its advances, science is not still capable of determining exactly the date of an earthquake. He emphasized that only preventive measures, can be effective during such circumstances.

A Chilean blue beret hurt by gunshot in Port-au-Prince

On New Year’s Day, Chilean Captain Sanidad Max Wanner Espinoza, the doctor of "Grupo de Helicópteros de la Fuerza Aérea" of Chile, component of the Mission of stabilization of United Nations in Haiti (Minustah) was shot by an unknown shooter, confirmed the Chilean Ministry of Defense.

"The incident arose on Friday shortly after midnight in Port-au-Prince. Sanidad Max Wanner Espinoza, was hurt by a bullet in the back, which was fired from outside the base,” said they Ministry. Captain Wanner was transferred to the Argentine hospital for initial care in order to stabilize him, before being transferred by helicopter to a hospital to Santo-Domingo in the Dominican Republic, where he underwent an operation to extract the bullet, according to the Chilean authorities.

This incident occurred two days after the body of two policewomen who were members of the component UNPol of the UN Mission, were found dead at their homes in Cap-Haïtien, on the morning of December 30th, 2015. Minustah which opened an inquiry, has not communicated on the exact circumstances of their deaths yet.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 13 janvier 2016

 Out of the Rubble: The Anniversary of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake

Laurent Lamothe Become a fan 

Former Prime Minister of Haiti, Founder of LSL World Initiative

Over half a decade has passed since the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and while relief has come in many forms from all corners of the globe, the country still suffers the effects of the tragedy that occurred that year on January 12th. With a magnitude of 7.0, the earthquake killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions from their homes. An already impoverished country, Haiti was one of the last places in the world capable to handle a natural disaster of this degree and yet, here we stand -- proudly. A nation that continues to struggle is also a nation that continues to persevere.

Before the earthquake, Haiti was already in a precarious socio-economic state, with well over half of the population at or below the poverty level (86 percent of people in the capital of Port-au-Prince were living in slum-like conditions) and living on less than U.S. $2 per day. This natural disaster only brought with it more struggles, more pain -- like kicking a man while he's down. To say it has been difficult to come back from this is an understatement.

On January 13th, 2010 -- the day after Haiti changed forever -- the world came together for our country, not only to grieve, but to help. Although these relief efforts have been extensive and will always be considered as a testament of global solidarity with the people of Haiti, the country continues to grapple with many obstacles. While the aftershocks of the earthquake are long gone, they can still be felt in the form of poverty and economic insecurity. Although much progress has been made by relocating the majority of families who had become homeless, some have yet to recover from this psychological and socio-economic trauma.

It's difficult enough for affluent countries like the United States to go through natural disasters such as tornadoes in the Midwest and hurricanes on the East Coast, but it's nearly impossible for emerging and developing countries with fragile infrastructures to fully recover. If these vulnerable countries could develop sustainable, socio-economic systems that address socio-economic challenges, they would be better able to withstand the devastating aftermath of tragedies like the one suffered in Haiti.

I have dedicated my my life's work to the socio-economic empowerment of Haiti -- and of all emerging and developing countries. It has become clear to me that struggling countries must find alternative sources of financing or fall short of achieving social and economic progress. We need to help the governments of countries like Haiti to achieve their goals by thinking outside the box of traditional foreign aid. We need to help them to identify new revenue sources through innovative financing for development: non-traditional mechanisms to raise funds for aid through projects such as micro-contributions and public-private partnerships. Using these mechanisms, governments can then allocate funds according to their priorities and needs, such as clean water, housing, education and health services. This way, if disaster strikes, they would be better apt to withstand such shock, and any aid received would have a greater impact. Recovery would be within their reach.

This is only one solution to a much bigger problem, but it is just that -- a solution. As a global community, we must ensure that vulnerable countries will be better equipped to climb out of the rubble -- whether that rubble is in the form of the aftermath of a natural disaster, war, disease or economic crisis -- faster and better than ever. As citizens of the world, we must come together to ensure that what happened to my country, the way it happened, never occurs again. We just need to start.

Haiti candidate needs major changes to participate in runoff

By DAVID McFADDEN

 Jan. 7, 2016 9:27 PM EST

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A spokesman for Haitian presidential contender Jude Celestin said Thursday that the second-place candidate will only participate in an upcoming runoff if sweeping changes recommended by a special commission are adopted to improve voting.

Campaign spokesman Gerald Germain said Celestin has been urging Haiti's outgoing president to ensure that the commission's recommendations are put in place before the two-candidate presidential runoff. They include major changes to the electoral machinery, with investigations and possible resignations of those accused of corruption, and political dialogue to achieve consensus about the next round.

"Only when the recommendations are implemented would Mr. Celestin take part," Germain said in a phone interview.

While Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council has pledged to improve transparency for the final round, review commission spokesman Rosny Desroches said he has seen very little progress to solve electoral tensions since the special panel's recommendations were released Sunday.

For instance, he noted that President Michel Martelly this week issued a decree making Jan. 24 the new date for the postponed runoff without first holding a political dialogue with those involved in the electoral impasse, a key recommendation.

"There is apparently no will to hold even a minimal dialogue," Desroches said.

The United Nations, the U.S. government and representatives of other nations making up the "Core Group" that monitors Haiti have urged state institutions and political actors to "take all steps necessary to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected president" by the Feb. 7 constitutional deadline.

On Wednesday, U.S. State Department Counselor Thomas Shannon and the U.S. special coordinator for Haiti visited the country and met with a number of people, including the two presidential candidates slotted for the Jan. 24 runoff. It was unclear what, if anything, was accomplished. The pair departed Thursday.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. welcomed the presidential decree setting Jan. 24 as the runoff date and encouraged "all Haitians to participate peacefully and calmly in the vote." The U.S. has contributed over $30 million to this election cycle in Haiti.

On Thursday night, the Organization of American States put out a similar statement, saying its electoral observation mission welcomed the Jan. 24 runoff as a "step in the right direction."

If legitimate elections don't take place as scheduled Jan. 24, a transitional government might have to be formed in the impoverished country where elections are never easy and suspicions of manipulation and complicity by the Provisional Electoral Council and the government in power are chronic.

The Group of Eight opposition alliance, which is made up of Celestin and seven other presidential candidates, wants the members of the electoral council to resign over what it says is corruption and vote-rigging. It says a transitional government is needed to complete Haiti's electoral process in a fair and transparent way.

Celestin has called the official results putting him in second place behind government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise a "ridiculous farce" and refused to campaign for a Dec. 27 runoff that was postponed days before it was scheduled amid swirling allegations of "massive fraud." He has since demanded 30 days for campaigning before any runoff.

Echoing comments he made to Haiti's biggest newspaper recently, U.S. Ambassador Peter Mulrean told The Associated Press that there has been no evidence to back up the allegations of rampant electoral fraud.

"I have heard many accusations of massive fraud but I have not seen those making the accusations come forward with proof," he said.

HAITI ELECTIONS, SECOND ROUND

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (HAITI) – Jude Celestin, the presidential candidate for the LAPEH political party, will not participate in the second round of the presidential elections set by presidential order for January 24th, 2016, according to an article in the Miami Herald.

"January 24th, it is out of the question. President Martelly will have to have the election with a single candidate," declared Jude Célestin, to The Miami Herald.

While the temporary electoral Council (CEP) extended the period of the presidential election campaign from January 8^th to January 22nd, Jude Célestin maintains his position not to participate in the second round of the elections.

Célestin places conditions upon his participation in the runoff of the presidential election. He wants the recommendations of the report of the Commission of Independent Electoral Evaluation to be followed. Among these recommendations, the Commission proposed a dialogue between all of the parties involved.

"None of the recommendations of the CEEI were taken into account," said Célestin, expressing his distrust in the credibility of the soiled electoral process, which according to him was plagued "with irregularities and frauds."

The presidential candidat,e whose party is the Alternative League for the Progress and the Haitian emancipation (LAPEH), made these statements "after two American special correspondents failed to convince him to make a commitment to run in the second round," according to RFI.

While Jude Célestin refuses to participate in the elections, his rival from the PHTK (the party in power), Jovenel Moïse, is pursuing his electoral campaign.

If the elections are held in these conditions, the political crisis could become inflamed, according to the political analyst Robert Fatton Jr. (Professor of Political Sciences and Associate Dean at the University of Virginia,) quoted the Miami Herald.

"It is impossible for the election of January 24th to be credible, the new president will suffer from a lack of legitimacy and the political crisis could become inflamed in the next months,” he said.

GB Group announces that it has concluded the sale of all of its interests in Distributeurs Nationaux

GB Group was a founding partner of the company when it acquired Royal Dutch Shell’s operations in Haiti in 2003. DINASA operates a retail network of gas stations under the NATIONAL brand and SODIGAZ, an affiliate that distributes liquefied petroleum gas throughout Haiti.

“We first want to express our gratitude to all the employees for their invaluable contribution and professionalism demonstrated over the years and wish them continued success in their careers and personal lives. We have been able to grow DINASA to be one of the most profitable companies in Haiti, and this transaction represents our desire and ability to capture the value of this growth. We are proud that our leadership was particularly critical at several key moments, such as the acquisition and integration of Texaco Haiti in 2009, and maintaining a steady supply and distribution of products after the disastrous earthquake of 2010. We also want to thank all our customers, suppliers and the financial institutions that have supported us throughout the years,” says Gilbert Bigio, GB Group Chairman.

During this time, GB Group has contributed management, industry expertise and international exposure allowing DINASA to become the largest distributor of petroleum products in Haiti.

The Group will continue to build upon its other energy assets in the Caribbean to remain one of the most important players in the region.

The Group also remains one of the largest investors in Haiti and continues to seek opportunities to promote companies that have a measurable social and environmental impact, while providing adequate returns for shareholders.

“Our Board and management teams are delighted to be at this crossroad; our strategy and vision remain brighter than ever and the Group is well positioned to capture future expansion," Mr. Bigio said.

GB Group is a leading, diversified group of industrial and trading companies in the Caribbean, with operations concentrated in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and St. Maarten and offices in the United States. Comprised of 21 companies from seven different divisions including agriculture, construction, consumer goods, infrastructure, energy, logistics and trading, GB Group collaborates with more than 4,000 employees and embraces managers from more than 15 countries companywide. GB Group and its operating companies have strategic alliances and/or partnerships with some of the world's top business organizations. The company's current endeavors include the $200 million Lafito Global project, which includes Port Lafito, Haiti's first Panamax port. More information is available at gbgroup.com.

DR. LIONEL CARMANT AND HIS FIGHT AGAINST EPILEPSY IN HAITI

Written by: Jean Numa Goudou

Three times a year this neurologist leaves the comfort of the hospital Saint - Justine in Montreal to help people suffering from epilepsy in Haiti

With 4,000 patients just in Port-au-Prince, nearly 500 in Jacmel in the Southeast, and as many in Mirebalais in the center of the country, Dr. Lionel Carmant has helped more than 5,000 affected by "malkadi " (epilepsy) through good times and bad.

Epilepsy is a disease of the central nervous system, which causes the appearance of repeated convulsions. It demonstrates itself with paroxystic abnormal electric hyperactivity in the brain. It can cause the person to lose consciousness, to have complex hallucinations (visual, hearing, etc.) and/or other sorts of symptoms.

Carmant himself lived through similar episodes when he was 16 following a car accident in Haiti. He remained for a week in a coma. When he awoke, he decided to study medicine, specifically neurology.

Currently, he is a neurologist, and Professor of Neurosciences and Pediatrics at the CHU (TEACHING HOSPITAL) St. Justine in Montreal. With two other doctors, Solomon Moshé and Alix Elie, Dr. Carmant created the Private Hospital of Epilepsy of Port-au-Prince (CLIDEP).

The first year, the hospital received only 500 patients, only 100 of whom were able to pay. Thanks to the successes of the Port-au-Prince hospital, a private hospital of epilepsy has just opened in Mirebalais in the central (Plateau) in partnership with Partners In Health. Another one is operating in Jacmel at the Hospital Saint Michel thanks to the help of the Canadian Red Cross. Another private clinic project in Petit-Goave is underway with the support of the Foundation Marcel and Jean Coutu. Dr. Carmant dreams of having about ten private hospitals in various region to answer the need of the population.

In Haiti, one child out of 10 suffers from cerebral palsy and is affected by epileptic seizures. Nevertheless one or two neurologists only are available for a ratio of 10 million inhabitants.

The disease affects approximately 1 % of the world population. But in Haiti its prevalence is within 10 % of the population. According to the estimation of Dr. Carmant, nearly a million Haitians are affected by the disease.

"People know what it is,” said Dr. Carmant.  “But due to a lack of means, they go to see herbalists,” said the neurologist.

Faced by the weak purchasing power of the majority of his patients, Dr. Carmant opts for very low consultation costs and uses annual fundraising galas in Montreal to be able to give free medicine to the patients. Those affected by this illness must take their medicine indefinitely in order to assure their well-being.