Photos

This is Haitian Lawyer and politician Andre Michel, following the decision of the US to revoke his visa

Attorney Andre Michel verifies U.S. Visa canceled

Activist attorney, Andre Michel, has had his U.S. visa invalidated by the U.S. Embassy. Andre, who wants to run as a Jistis (39) candidate for the presidency, does not understand the reason for the cancellation.

The embassy would give no information because immigration law requires confidentiality. Another embassy spokesperson though shared visas are rescinded if eligibility requirements are not adhered to.

Andre can reapply for a visa and wants U.S. citizens to know ". . . he is not a threat."

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The Haitian Government has decided to dedicate a National Day of Remembrance for the victims of Fort Dimanche.

Fort Dimanche's Unsavory Past Remembered

The Ministry of Communication announced April 26th 2015 as a National Day of Remembrance for the victims incarcerated at Fort Dimanche.

Fort Dimanche, a brutal prison, where inmates were subject to claustrophobic conditions, tortured, sexually assaulted, and other wise dehumanized, was used during Francois Duvalier's regime for any Haitian, who dared to criticize his policies.

The prison served as a place for political dissenters for over 30 years. In 1987 it was turned into a memorial.

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There are many signs to demonstrate that Fanmi lavalas political party is falling apart. The latest sign is the decision of So Anne to abandon ship and instead join a party which she thinks will give her more opportunities

The former Lavalas activist Annette Auguste has declared her candidacy for the Senate for the West Department under the banner of PHTK. This decision came as a shock to many who remember her activist stands under the Lavalas Party and for former President Jean Bertrand Aristide

Krekol

Gen anpil siy yo ki demontre ke Fanmi Lavalas nan problem. Denye siy yo a se desizyon an nan So Anne pran pou li abandone Fanmi-a pou li aly jwen Tet Kale

Mezanmi, Pgin problem nan fanmi-an

First Lady Sophia Martelly registered to run for the office of Senator of the West Department in this year's legislative elections. She will be running against several candidates, most recognizably Annette Auguste, an ex-Fanmi Lavalas party member.

Auguste is a survivor of ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide's administration. After his overthrow Auguste was arrested and held as a political prisoner. She and Martelly will both run as candidates of PHTK.

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Senator Steven Benoit is on a mission to stop First Lady Sophia Saint Remy Martelly from running for a Senate seat in Hiati. He was present at the Departmental Electoral Office (BED) of the West this week to bring the evidence

Sophia Saint Remy Martelly registered to become a candidate for Senator of the Republic of Haiti for the West Department.

Senator Benoit accuses First Lady Sophia of possible Fraud

Senator Benoit is challenging the legality of First Lady Sophia Martelly's bid to run for Senator of West Department. Sophia, a U.S. citizen, applied for a Haitian passport in 2009. At that time dual-citizenship was not allowed according to the Constitution.

Benoit says Sophia has committed a probable act of fraud by registering for candidacy. The 2015 Electoral Law states candidates must be native-born, and can't hold dual citizenship, as in Sophia's case.

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Evaluations to replace exams of 6th fundamental year and of bac Part 1 to be organized directly in public and private schools in Haiti

Alarming Results on National Examinations

The Haitian education system is performing poorly on national examinations. Of 417 schools, 10% or fewer students were promoted. Of 800 schools, less than 20% were advanced to the next fundamental.

Reforms to the education system include the requirement to hold a teaching license and its renewal, subject to continued professional development. At all education levels schools must hold an identity card of establishment, and cannot operate without one. Lastly new private schools may not open without prior approval of the Ministry of National Education.

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Here is a picture of University of Notre Dame D'Haiti (UNDH) in Haiti

New Master of Business Administration Program at University Notre Dame d'Haiti

University of Notre Dame d'Haiti is starting an MBA program, the first one in Haiti. It will be offered on Port-au-Prince and Gonaives campuses. Dr. Paul Latortue of UNDH says the program in Haiti will be cheaper ($10,000), than in the Dominican Republic ($30,000) and Florida ($60,000).

UNDH will need $400,000 for new buildings and another $200,000 to pay a teaching staff. Sogebank, Capital Bank, and Unibank are willing to fund the project.

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Here is a picture of the international French singer Enrico Macias, AKA Gaston Ghrenassia, as he was in Haiti for a performance

Enrico Macias an Apostle for Peace

Enrico Macias is a globally celebrated musician and fervent advocate for children. He visited Haiti recently to conduct two workshops for underserved youth in poor neighborhoods.

Secretary General of the UN Kurt Waldheim anointed him Singer for Peace in 1980, and in 1997 Macias was selected as UN Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Child Advocacy.

Macias has circled the globe giving concerts since the 1960s. His commitment to children is such he donated the profits of one of his hit songs "Malheur a celui qui blesse un enfant" to UNICEF.

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Here is a picture of the new Director of the Prison Administration (DAP), Mr. Jean Gardy Muscadin.

On Thursday, April 16, 2015, Godson Orélus, the Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), in presence of the Minister of Justice & Public Security, Secretary of State for Justice and other important government officials, has appointed the present Divisional Commissioner Jean Gardy Muscadin, as the new Director of the Prison Administration (DAP). Jean Muscadin has replaced the main Commissioner Marjorie Saint-Jean who served two & half year term as the head of this institution under National Police of Haiti that oversees more than 11,000 prisoners distributed in 17 detention centers all over the country. The new Director has promised a new breath in the police administration and pledged to work in compliance with the law.

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Here is a picture of the Housing units in Morne Lazarre.

President Michel Martelly accompanied by the Executive Director of the Housing Construction Unit and Public Buildings (UCLBP) visited the new housing site in Morne Lazarre, Bourdon Road to hand over the keys to the victims of 16 neighborhoods from the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince which were destroyed by the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The earthquake flattened the poor hillside neighborhood, leaving only a school building standing as a place of refuge. The project has been built on an area of 2,270 square meters and includes 25 family residential units in two and three levels. Fourteen of these residential units have an area of 60 square meters, five have an area of 70 square meters and six are about 50 square meters area, each. The construction has been completed within 16 months (December 2013 to 16 April 2015) under joint funding of the Haiti Reconstruction Fund (HRF) and the American Red Cross of US$.900000 and executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services.

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New resort scheduled to be open in Haiti soon by Royal Club Decameron Indigo

As per recent news dated April 17, 2015, "Decameron" a Colombia based hotel and resort chain will be opening an all inclusive modern resort in Haiti's Cote des Arcadins. The place is often termed as "one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean.". The 390 room property would include a buffet restaurant, two a la carte restaurants, five bars, two adult pools and two children's pools, along with a spa. Of the total 390 rooms, 350 will have sea views. The resort will be developed on the property of Club Indigo Resort at the site of former famous all inclusive Club Med property, now will be rebranded as the Royal Club Decameron Indigo.

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