Legislative
Haiti: Steven Benoit Only Senator to have Declared his Assets
- Saturday, December 17, 2011 9:35 AM
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Written by External Source (see below)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Senator Steven Benoit (Ouest/Alternative) is not modest about having declared his assets to the Court of Auditors. Benoit, proud, said "I was the first person to make the declaration of assets after the passage of the law in February 2008. I'm still the first senator to do so."
In fact, out of the 30 senators in the senate, Benoit, the senator who proposed and had passed the first law of minimum wage in Haiti, is the only to have abided by the law and declared assets.
Why are Members of Parliament so reluctant to make the declaration of assets?
Senator Benoit says because it serves as a window left open to corruption. Benoit is not ready to mention those he is suspicions of voting in favor of controversial legislation such as the law allowing the Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti (IHRC) under former President Rene Preval.
There is no immunity for a parliamentarian who has not declared their assets, said Benoit, who serves on the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Senate.
Benoit says "the ULCC plays the game of deputies and senators rebelling against the law on the declaration of assets when the structure does not publish their names," said the Senator, reached by telephone by the newspaper, Le Nouvelliste.
In addition, Steven Benoit recalled that the Head of State, Michel Martelly, who had not declared his assets in the time frame allotted to do so. The senator says it would encourage others to do the same.
Related 12.16.2011: Haiti: Rate of Economic Growth Decreased under Martelly, says IMF
Related 12.16.2011: Haiti: Outgoing Mayors will Hold Office until TBD Elections
Related 12.16.2011: U.S. Congressman Calls on Obama to Hold White House Conference on Haiti
Source: Le Nouvelliste
