In approximately one month, from August 23 to September 26, 2022, a total of twelve (12) prisoners in prolonged preventive detention in civil prisons across the country died of hunger and poor treatment.
According to the Office for Citizen Protection (OPC), which is a state institution responsible for promoting and protecting human rights, the reopening of courts throughout Haiti is a necessity to combat prolonged preventive detention and to make justice a public service.
In a press release published on October 2, 2022. The OPC recalls that this Monday, October 3, 2022, coincides with the reopening of the courts throughout the national territory under article 75 of decree August 22, 1995 devoting the first Monday in October for the start of the new judicial year. Unfortunately, faced with insecurity, the dysfunction of the Court of Cassation, the paralysis of the Superior Council of the Judicial Power (CSPJ) and socio-political unrest, it is therefore difficult to think about organizing a solemn ceremony.
On the other hand, as a state institution responsible for ensuring respect for human rights, particularly the protection of individual freedoms and judicial guarantees, the Office for Citizen Protection wishes to see the resumption of judicial activities in the courts and tribunals. This year is marked by an unacceptable negative record, with a 90% rate of prolonged preventive detention. Criminal proceedings with jury assistance have not been held for more than four (4) years in the jurisdiction of Port-au-Prince. Thousands of prisoners languish in cells in inhumane, cruel and degrading conditions, without any hope of being judged in accordance with the law. This situation constitutes a serious violation of the human rights of people deprived of their liberty and endangers the rule of law in Haiti.
Consequently, the Office for Citizen Protection (OPC) reaffirms its full disposition, while seizing the opportunity to launch a strong appeal to the judicial authorities and all stakeholders on the need to combine their efforts in order to adopt, in accordance with the regulations on judicial guarantees, provisions aimed at organizing special criminal and correctional hearings with a view to gradually reducing the rate of detainees awaiting trial in eighteen (18) jurisdictions of the first courts. instance and above all to make justice a public service in the interest of the population in general.
Remember that in more than a month, from August 23 to September 26, 2022, a total of twelve (12) prisoners in prolonged preventive detention in civil prisons in the country have died.
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