Court

Here is a picture of the New Court of Cassation In Haiti during its construction.

On June 3, 2015, Yves Germain Joseph, Minister of Planning and External Cooperation accompanied by Rothchild François Jr., the Minister of Communication and Pierre André Richard, Supervisor of construction sites at the Construction Unit of Housing and Public Buildings (UCLBP), visited the construction site of the building of 'Court of Cassation' which is expected to be completed within August 15, 2015. The building is under construction since July 2013, and upon construction, it will have the ability to withstand the threats of earthquake up to the magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale. The project of $16.3 million is funded by the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the construction work is carried on by Taiwanese Oversease Company Engineering Construction with supports of Unité de Construction de Logements et de Bâtiments Publics (UCLBP) and Haitian technicians. The new 3 storied building will cover an area of 4,262 square meters with a parking space for 24 vehicles. The Court of Cassation will have two courtrooms of about 195 square meters each and a conference room of 63 square meters.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of Carvez Jean who was sworn in, as new Government Commissioner at the Court of Appeals

On Monday, April 20, 2015, the judge Carvez Jean was sworn in by Judge Durin Duret Junior, assisted by two judges Dufresne Guillaume and Marie Jocelyne Casimir, as the new Government Commissioner at the Court of Appeals of Port-au-Prince. The new Commissioner will replace the retiring Government Commissioner Raphael Jean-Baptiste. Judge Carvez Jean started his career as a judge of Peace in Saint-Marc then Miragoâne and Petionville and then became the Deputy Government Commissioner near the TPI of Saint-Marc and Port-au-Prince and had acted as a substitute Government Commissioner at the Court of Appeal of Port-au-Prince. He was welcomed by Mr. Frantz Poteau, the Representative of the Public Ministry. During the occasion, many stakeholders present in the ceremony mentioned Mr. Jean's glorious twenty years of service in the Haitian judiciary. Judge Durin Duret Junior expressed his hope that judge Jeans would once again bring honor to the judiciary system with his new responsibility. Judge Carves Jean had promised to honor the responsibility entrusted upon him.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of the new Court of First Instance of Anse-à-Veau

The ribbons of the newly built Court of First Instance were cut on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. The special inauguration was peopled by Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Jean Roudy Aly, among others, at the Court's new premises in Anse-à-Veau.

The project is one under the expansion plan that would see fifty Justice buildings being built each year. The new building is more pleasing to the eye and offers the judges in situ more space and comfort.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of the new Courthouse of Aquin.

On Friday, 11th October, Jean Roudy Aly, the Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), inaugurated the rehabilitation and expansion of the Court of First Instance (CFI) of Aquin. The function was witnessed by Me Isaac Lithan, public prosecutor of that jurisdiction, the Mayor of the commune of Aquin and some more important personalities from the judicial administration. The Commissioner and the Dean of the Bar of the jurisdiction thanked Me. Jean Roudy Aly and Jean Renel Sanon, the Minister of Justice, for their effort to contribute two spacious court rooms and five investigation offices of examining. Jean Roudy Aly, in his speech for the occasion, said that the improvement of the working condition was done in tune of the policy undertaken by the Martelly-Lamothe administration. The administration expects different actors of the justice should work tirelessly and reduce the number of pretrial detention at minimum.

Permalink | Comments

Here is an illustration as to what Judge Lamarre Belizaire had to go through recently in the case of Former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide.

According to our record, a total of 5 attempts have been made between August and October 2014 to bring the former priest and President to court. All of them have failed.

Judge Lamarre Belizaire first issued a travel Ban on the former president. However most people agree that since his return from exile, Aristide has not been anywhere, inside or outside of Haiti. Second, an Order was issued, Summoning him. He did not go.

Following this, he was issued an Arrest Warrant. However, Haitian Police did not show any willingness to execute the order. Mr. Aristide was then ordered to remain at home, with no visitation if not pre-approved by him. He continues to receive visitors as usual. Finally, an Extraction Order was issued on October 9, 2014. We are still waiting for the execusion

Permalink | Comments

After two previous no-show, Jean Claude Duvalier did not have any choice but to be in court. Judge Jean-Joseph Lebrun had issued a warrant ordering his presence, under police escort if necessary in case he attempted to stay home for the third court appointment. The Court hearing was held determine whether or not to charges him for the crimes he has been accused for. The former Dictator was asked several questions and his answers were mostly evasive

Permalink | Comments

The Court of First Instance (TPI) in Petit-Goave has just been remodeled and updated. The reception, office, courtroom, bathroom, and courtyard spaces have been re-built to be more spacious and attractive. The prosecutor's grounds have also totally been made over.

At the TIP re-opening ceremonies, attended by Prime Minister, Lamothe, and Justice Minister, Sanon, Government Commissioner, Civil, voiced his certainty the newly remodeled surroundings of TPI would add considerably to the operation and dispensation of justice in the West Department.

Permalink | Comments

Scheduled to be completed by 2015, the ground for the $16 million dollar Supreme Court building, funded by the government of the Republic of China, was broken recently by the presidents of both countries. Speaking at the occasion was the Republic's President, Ma Ying-jeou, who said he was heartened by the move to use the donation for this project as it spoke to Haiti's serious consideration for the 'rule of law'. The original courthouse was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake.

Permalink | Comments

It has taken the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Institute for Protection of National Heritage (ISPAN) three years to fully restore the Court of First Instance of Jacmel. UNDP funded the restoration to a total of around USD 350,000. The expertise offered by the ISPAN enabled the former glory of this building, recorded as Historical Heritage of Haiti, to be restored. The engineers from UNDP oversaw the project to completion. As of this time, three years since the commencement of the project, court staff can attest to the recovered decent working conditions.

Permalink | Comments

The historic appearance in Court by Jean Claude Duvalier. This took place on February 28, 2013 in Port-au-Prince. Former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier accused for corruption and human rights abuses came to court for the first time.

During the Court procedure, the 61-year-old Duvalier said when asked about his role as head of state from 1971 to 1986. He responded: "Under my authority, children could go to school, there was no insecurity."

Permalink | Comments