Haiti – Politic : A new governance is essential in Haiti

On the occasion of his visit yesterday to the National School of Magistrates (EMA) the Head of State has explained what he meant by a new governance :

“…I would like to reiterate that a new governance is essential in Haiti. At the heart of my priorities, […] is the establishment of a judicial system more fair, equitable and to the service of citizens. I will not cease to o repeat that the Haitian government is to the service of citizens, and if it is not, it should serve the citizens. The reconstruction and the improvement of the functioning of the courts does not concern only the physical infrastructure to put in place, it must be for us, the opportunity to strengthen the capacity of the human resource available within the Ministry of Justice and the courts […] I can almost say that it is a dysfunctional power, because on 12 judges, we have only 6 in function and when you look at the premises where they work … You ask if it’s true […] We are supposed to have a courthouse … that does not exist … [The courthouse was destroyed during the earthquake of January 2010], it is important to restore, to rebuild the palace, to allow the judiciary to play its role, because in a country where justice can not play its part, is a country that comes toitself, so in that sense, we made this visit this Monday, first to reassure this this power as it is today and let them know that we have our eyes on it. We will work with it, by the way we will launch the signal of the reconstruction of downtown shortly. Perhaps that we expect the implementation of the Government, but we must start the construction of the courthouse […] In Haiti, this power has always been like a second class power, I think that the justice that we want, will begin when will give to the judiciary, the respect and value it deserves…”

The President Martelly took the opportunity to announce that the Justice portfolio in the next government could return to Me Pierre-Louis, who was present alongside the Head of State, during this visit.

Returning to the concept of good governance, the same day, during a visit to the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) the Head of State wished to clarify : “when I say good governance, I speak of transparency at the level of the accounts of the Nation, everyone must know what is done with the money of the state and we need that the money ofthe state be at the service of the population. It must be there for the people, to strengthen the State and carry out the development in the country. The good governance also means a good management of public finances, a good management of public finances inside the institutions […] To deliver our dream to the people, it is necessary that the money be well managed, so we are obliged to inform us of the financial position of the DGI and the Directors General of Customs, these are two entities that provide money to the State […]

We will encourage all economic operators, all business owners, all taxpayers in general to pay their taxes normally…”