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Haiti - Justice : Worsening of detention conditions in Haiti
08/11/2022 07:07:17

Lawyers Without Borders Canada (ASFC) is deeply concerned about the deterioration of detention conditions in prisons in Haiti in recent weeks. Unsanitary conditions, promiscuity, lack of access to drinking water and food are inhuman conditions of detention that violate the fundamental rights of detainees, prescribed by the Haitian Constitution and international instruments for the protection of human rights.

This degradation occurs in a context where the resurgence of cholera has already killed at least 25 people in the civil prison of Port-au-Prince. Cases are also suspected at the Croix-des-Bouquets prison.

It should be noted that the Ministry has not updated, for an unknown reason, the cholera situation in the National Penitentiary since October 12, the balance sheet of which then stood at:

271 suspected cases +33.49% in 24 hours (the day before 203 suspected cases)
12 Confirmed cases +0 in 24 hours (the day before 12 confirmed cases)
14 Deaths +16.66% in 24 hours (the day before 12 deaths)

Meanwhile, the dysfunction of the judiciary has worsened. The Court of First Instance in Port-au-Prince is still occupied and controlled by gang members, several courts of appeal, Courts of Peace and First Instance (TPI) have been vandalized in various jurisdictions, including in Gonaïves and Petit-Goâve.

Faced with this observation, ASFC calls on the authorities concerned to take urgent and effective measures to combat prison overcrowding. Nearly 11,000 people are currently imprisoned in Haiti. The occupancy rate in the country's four main prisons exceeds 400%. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23478-haiti-flash-haiti-world-champion-of-prison-overcrowding.html

"[...] The situation prevailing in Haitian prisons is more than worrying : it is a crisis within a crisis. The Haitian State must act quickly to restore the judicial system in Port-au-Prince as in all the jurisdictions of the country," declared Me Gaël Pétillon, Director of ASFC-Haiti.

See also :
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34148-haiti-flash-the-hell-of-haitian-prisons-report.html
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33408-haiti-justice-detainees-in-haiti-at-the-gates-of-hell.html
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23478-haiti-flash-haiti-world-champion-of-prison-overcrowding.html
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20317-haiti-justice-gustavo-gallon-harshly-judge-the-haitian-prison-system.html
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20013-haiti-flash-nightmare-at-the-national-penitentiary.html

HL/ HaitiLibre