WASHINGTON (CMC):
THE INTER-AMERICAN Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) says the justice system in Haiti is "gravely deficient" and fails to protect the fundamental human rights of citizens.
In a report released Friday, the IACHR said efforts to address Haiti's present and serious political, economic and social problems would not succeed without urgent reforms to strengthen the administration of justice and the rule of law.
The report, entitled 'Haiti: Failed Justice or the Rule of Law Challenges Ahead for Haiti and the International Community', said the reform would require ongoing, co-ordinated and sustained support from Organisation of American States (OAS) and other members of the international community.
The report evaluates the current status of the administration of justice in Haiti in light of its obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments, (and) concludes that the justice system in Haiti is gravely deficient in almost all respects and systematically fails to protect the fundamental human rights of the Haitian people.
ANALYSIS
It analyses three main areas of the administration of justice in Haiti, including law enforcement, the court system, and the system of detention facilities and prisons.
The report also finds that the national police force suffers from grave shortages of officers and resources, lacks a clear and enforced hierarchy of command and control, and is tainted by corruption and human rights abuses.
It said that the court system is plagued by inadequate resources and training as well as outdated laws, resulting in chronic and unacceptable delays in the judicial process and systemic impunity for serious human rights violations.
Further, the report finds that the conditions in Haiti's prisons and other detention facilities fall far short of minimum international standards, including special protections for minors.
