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Haiti - Justice : The independent Expert presents the findings of his mission in Haiti 27/10/2016 10:43:43
The Independent Expert has reiterated his solidarity with the victims of hurricane Matthew and with the Haitian people. "The violation of rights in Haiti due to natural disasters is one of the five priority areas I have highlighted in my previous reports. Therefore, I have gone to Jérémie, in the Grand'Anse department, where I visited the High School Nord Alexis, where 525 families affected by the cyclone have found shelter. Their situation is similar to the situation of internal displaced people living in camps since the 2010 earthquake, of people deported from the Dominican Republic settled at the border side, or of detainees in the country prisons", said Mr. Gallón. He stressed that efforts should be redoubled to address the needs of those affected by this catastrophe. Since his previous mission in Haiti last February and March 2016, the Independent Expert has welcomed the peaceful transition of last Presidency to current Provisional Presidency as well as the efforts made by the Government to ensure the elections. However, as a result of hurricane Matthew the election date of October 9 has been postponed and "Matthew will also affect the new date of November 20 since many people affected by the hurricane will have difficulties to participate", according to the Independent Expert. He has stressed that the Government has the duty to hold the elections under difficult circumstances but he is optimistic that the new Provisional Electoral Council and the more relaxed political environment compared to last year will allow concluding the electoral process. "I hope that these elections will be held without any surprises and that there will be a new President elected in February next year as well as stable State institutions," Mr. Gallón expressed. Regarding long pretrial detention, the Independent Expert has taken note of the creation of a Presidential Commission to address this serious human rights violation. He has reiterated to the Ministry of Justice the need to urgently take measures to abolish long pretrial detention and to reform the judiciary. Mr. Gallón has visited the new women's prison built in Cabaret. Although "this prison is an example of a not overcrowded facility, the building lacks safe drinking water, privacy is not ensured in the showers and toilets, the time allocated for outside recreation of inmates is limited to three hours a week in a courtyard, and the dining room is not used", he said. He stated that more should be done to improve prison conditions in order to guarantee the detainees' dignity. The Independent Expert has reiterated his recommendation to alphabetize people that cannot read or write in a reasonably short time. "It is not necessary to spend a large amount of money to be successful on that endeavor, but especially to organize a campaign based on the Government's decision to eliminate thoroughly and quickly the problem," he said. Mr. Gallón has invited the Government to resume an education plan developed in 2010 and resumed in 2011, which foresaw the elimination of illiteracy in the country within five years. He has also stressed his recommendations to create a commission of truth, justice and reparation of violations of the past, and a similar commission to compensate victims of cholera. "We must bring justice to victims of past violations and to people who have suffered the consequences of cholera to achieve a more equal society, based on justice," he said. The Independent Expert has concluded by declaring his outrage by verbal and physical attacks against the LGBTI community, following the ban of the Massi Madi international festival organized by this community. "These events are contrary to the rights to equality and non-discrimination which are recognized in international treaties to which Haiti is a party. I urge both the authorities and society to respect them". Mr. Gallón has concluded that he will present his report to the Human Rights Council in March 2017 and that he hopes to show progress concerning the implementation of his recommendations. Read the full statement of end of mission : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/gustavo-gallon-2016.pdf (in french) HL/ HaitiLibre
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