Haiti - Justice : The judicial system paralyzed throughout the country
The magistrates standing in Haiti began a work stoppage at the beginning of the week in the 5 courts of appeal, the 18 Courts of First Instance (TPI) in Haiti and the special labor court.
The strike was announced by the "Collectif des Magistrats Debout d'Haïti" (COMADH) which condemned the non-compliance of as discrimination in terms of salaries and social benefits between standing magistrates (those who plead) and seated magistrates (them who render court decisions).
The Collective denounced the advantages that sitting Magistrates receive, among other things, debit cards equivalent to a third of their salary, service allowances of a value similar to half of their monthly fees, fuel vouchers of 16,000 gourdes, prepaid phones…
For several years, the union has been carrying out long work stoppages to demand decent working conditions. In March this year, the justice system was completely paralyzed due to a strike by bailiffs and court clerks in all 18 jurisdictions and caused considerable damage to litigants.
This new strike comes a month after the start of the judicial year and shortly after the launch of a program aimed at reducing prolonged preventive detention which affects more than 80% of prisoners...
