Month: November 2016

Elections and Democracy

Election Observation Coalition Press Release

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Preliminary Observations of the Coalition regarding the organization and the holding of the November 20, 2016 Elections:

On November 20 2016, the presidential and partial legislative elections were held in the national territory.

The Coalition of Electoral Observation composed of the following organizations observed the process leading up to the aforementioned election:

  • Solidarity of Haitian Women – SOFA
  • Council of National Electoral Observers – CNO
  • Council of Non-State Haitian Actors – CONHANE
  • National Human Rights Defense Network – RNDDH
  • Center for Research and Analysis of Human Rights – CARDH
  • Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations – POHDH

Before presenting its detailed report regarding the electoral process and election day, the Coalition wishes to share its first observations and impressions to all those interested in the issue. Read More

Uncategorized

Update Pt. 2: Cholera plan at the UN

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“On August 19th, the Secretary-General announced a new approach to cholera in Haiti. The Secretary-General is actively working to develop a proposal on material assistance and support to those most directly affected by the cholera epidemic. At the same time, the UN, in partnership with the Haitian Government, is intensifying its support to treating and reducing cholera, and ultimately ending the transmission of the disease. Read More

Cholera Epidemic

Update: Cholera Advocacy

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For those who have followed HAWG’s cholera advocacy and supported our campaign: your support has enabled our campaign to achieve what just six months ago seemed impossible.  Very significant steps towards cholera justice have been taken in recent weeks. We’d like you to know just what you helped make happen:

  • On September 20, 2016 at the opening of the UNGA, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed “tremendous regret and sorrow at the profound suffering of Haitians affected by cholera” and said that “time has come for a new approach to ease the plight and better their lives”
  • Earlier that month the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights criticized the UN’s approach as “morally unconscionable, legally indefensible, and politically self-defeating”

A UN issued report recommended that the UN Secretariat take four steps:

  1. Issue an apology and an acceptance of responsibility in the name of the Secretary-General;
  2. Acknowledge that the claims submitted by victims are private law claims and therefore require an appropriate remedy;
  3. Provide adequate compensation for victims
  4. Ensure consultation with stakeholders in a transparent manner

The UN later announced that it is mobilizing $400 million for the new response to be delivered via a two track system.  Read More

Elections and Democracy

Elections Part V: The International Community

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From the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

Haiti Election Primer, Part 5: The International Community

Ever since the first democratic elections in 1990, the influence of foreign actors over Haiti’s political process has only increased. Foreign donors have financed Haitian elections, UN troops have transported ballots and guarded polling stations, international observers have granted (or withheld) legitimacy to electoral outcomes, and foreign embassies have intervened when postelectoral crises erupt.

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Elections and Democracy

Elections Part IV: Hurricane Matthew

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From the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR):

Haiti Election Primer, Part 4: Hurricane Matthew

The devastating passage of hurricane Matthew has changed the dynamics of the upcoming election in Haiti. Following last year’s fraudulent elections, the new electoral council has been making changes in order to produce a more legitimate outcome this year, but the hurricane has raised new concerns. Read More

Elections and Democracy

Haiti Elections: The Parliament

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This is Part III of an Elections series from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).

Haiti Election Primer, Part 3: The Parliament

Read Part 1: Timeline of Key Events, here. 

Read Part 2: Presidential Candidates and Their Parties, here. 

Often lost in the discussion of Haiti’s presidential race is the fact that many legislative seats are up for grabs as well, including more than half of the Senate. Read More

Gender & Human Rights, Report

Report on prison escape, violence in Arcahaie

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From the RESEAU NATIONAL DE DEFENSE DES DROITS HUMAINS (RNDDH), in English the National Human Rights Defense Network:

Full report in French available here.

Le 22 octobre 2016, une évasion s’est opérée à la Prison Civile de l’Arcahaie. Au cours de celle-ci, cent soixante quatorze (174) détenus se sont enfuis et au moins deux (2) personnes sont décédées, dont un agent de la Direction de l’Administration Pénitentiaire (DAP) et un prisonnier. Read More

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