Comunidade

Montreal, November 24, 2011

His Excellency Michel Martelly
Presidente da República
Palácio Nacional
Rue Magny
Port-au-Prince
Haiti

President of the Republic,
Founded in 1994, the CPD for Haiti is a group of Canadian organizations involved in the movement of solidarity with the Haitian people on the way to a non-violent, more just and democratic.

The Coalition for Haiti is reaching out to you to ensure that the executive in judicial independence, material and financial resources and security needed to be brought to justice former President Jean-Claude Duvalier , so that it is the subject of a fair trial.

Already, the complaints were deemed admissible and the judge referred the case to the Commissioner of the Government. It is now imperative that the Haitian government publicly confirms its commitment to non-interference in the work of judicial authorities so that they lead to the end of the thorough and impartial investigations into the serious violations committed under Jean-Claude Duvalier. Not only because it was his "duty", as recalled by American Commission on Human Rights (Declaration of May 17, 2011). But also because it is a unique opportunity in Haiti's history to finally end the endless cycle of impunity that has always prevailed. For you, Mr. President, who had made the restoration of the rule of law a major focus of your campaign, this is a historic opportunity not to be missed.

Keep a fair trial, it would do justice to the thousands of victims of Duvalierism and restore confidence of the Haitian justice system in a strengthened. Conversely, end the process would confirm the idea that there is no justice in Haiti, even for the worst crimes.

Keep a fair trial, it would also work to "reconstruction of collective memory and dignity of the Haitian people as a whole" as tried to recall Amnesty International during the presentation of his report "We can not kill truth, "interrupted by supporters of Jean-Claude Duvalier, on September 22.

We understand that moving forward is a difficult decision and that many reasons, sometimes noble appearance, may be invoked to avoid it. But there is no escape, as history has shown that there can be no genuine reconciliation or national agreement worthy of the name that goes through the path of truth, justice and repair.

We are also aware that to complete a fair trial against Jean-Claude Duvalier and other officials under his command is a huge challenge for the Haitian judicial system. But we believe it can be met with technical support from the international community. If the Haitian authorities send a request to this effect to the government and civil society of Canada, the Concertation pour Haiti will press for an adequate response to be made.

In Haiti, collective against impunity argued that "impunity can not be the fate of Haiti." Give them a reason, Mr. Speaker, taking advantage of this exceptional event with your country's history.

Be assured of full consideration of the signatory agencies,
Michel Frenette for the Concertation pour Haiti

Signatory organizations:

Alternatives
Amnesty International Canada
Quebec Association of International Cooperation Organizations (AQOCI)
Centre Justice et Foi
International Solidarity Workers
Coalition for the Protection of the environment and sustainable development in Haiti (COPEDH)
Solidarity Committee / Three Rivers
Development and Peace
United Church of Canada
Equitas
Handicap International
The Mutual missionary
Coalition of Canadian-Haitian Development (ROCAHD)
Solidarity Union, Co (CUSO)
YMCA of Quebec

cc. His Excellency Prime Minister Garry Conille