Judicial

Haiti: Judges and Lawyers Threaten Work Stoppage Friday 13th

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - The President of the Federation of Bar Associations of Haiti, Carlos Hercules, reiterated the willingness of lawyers from the various bars of the republic and judges united in the National Association of Haitian Magistrates (ANAMAH) to declare an indefinite strike if by April 13, the head of state does not allow the inauguration of the Higher Judicial Council (CSPJ).

On the microphone of Kiskeya Radio, Hercules, also chairman of the Bar Association of Port-au-Prince, said a letter was addressed to President Michel Martelly asking him to publish the order of appointment of members of the CSPJ to fix the date of swearing. The lawyer did not understand the ambivalent attitude of the President in this matter.

The Ministry of Justice was also invited to play its part in accelerating the process.

Carlos Hercules emphasizes that lawyers do not intend to backtrack on the early establishment of CSPJ, indispensable to the existence of an independent judiciary power and strengthening of the rule of law in Haiti.

A few days ago, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Michel Brunache, announced the end of the certification process for members of the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power (CSPJ) which, according to the Constitution, must be the organ of administration, control, discipline and deliberation of the judiciary.

Canceled for "technical reasons" 48 hours before April 2nd which would have been the date of the installation ceremony would have taken place, it is now in indefinite postponement.

The nine members of the certified CSPJ, who continue to wait before formally entering office, are:

Anel Alexis Joseph, President of the Court of Cassation,
Norgaisse Antoine, Vice President of the Court of Cassation
Thiers Malette, government commissioner to the Court of Cassation
Max Elibert, representing the Courts of Appeal
Gustave Pharaoh, elected by the district courts of the Republic
Jean Alix Civil, appointed by the Minister of Justice
Jean Etienne Mercier, representing the judges of the Peace Courts
Dilia Lemaire, elected by civil society organizations and
Nehemiah Joseph, representing the meeting of Presidents in office