The Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH) established at a brainstorming meeting on the theme "Haiti: Army is a priority ?", that justice, truth, the strengthening of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) and the reform of laws relating to the army are the priorities, actions and steps necessary before the restoration of a national security force in the country.

The POHDH composed of eight Haitian institutions, the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), the Centre for Social Research and of Economic Training for the Development (CRESFED), the National Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (JILAP), the Commission of reflection and Legal assistance of the Haitian Conference of Religious (CORAL), the Legal Assistance Group (GAJ), the Cultural Institute Karl Levêque (ICKL), the Program for a Alternative of Justice (PAJ) and Sant Kal Levèk argues that its "priority is justice and truth," saying that it is "now necessary to shed light on the various atrocities committed by the former Army demobilized by President Jean Bertrand Aristide in 1995."

The Platform invites the public not to link the insecurity in the country to the fact that there is no national army stating that "citizens have always been victims of insecurity," and this even before the dissolution of the Haitian army, wishing a strengthening of the PNH in terms "of effectiveness, technical and material capacity."

For his part Antonal Mortimé, Executive Secretary of the Platform of Haitian Organizations for the Defense of Human Rights (POHDH), believes that the government took a bad start for this institution, according to him "a national consultation and a reform of the laws" should be the first steps.

Mr. Mortimer also noted that in addition to the army provided by the Constitution, institutions such as the High Court of Justice and the Permanent Electoral Council (CEP), although also under the Constitution, are absent.

HL/ HaitiLibre