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Rights & Democracy Statement at the interactive dialogue with Michel Forst, the Independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Haiti

Human Rights Council
11th session
June 2-19, 2009

View the webcast of this presentation


June 17th, 2009
Geneva, Switzerland

Mr. President,

The following comments and questions are addressed to the Independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Haiti.

Rights & Democracy favorably welcomes the Government of Haiti’s stated commitment to respect, protect and fulfill human rights within its territory. 

Rights & Democracy read with interest the report of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti. Rights & Democracy specifically wishes to support the Independent expert’s recommendation to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman (Office de la protection du citoyen – hereafter OPC).


Mr. Forst,

In line with its work on the ground in Haiti, Rights & Democracy favorably welcomes your recommendations, particularly those that relate to the following points:

1. Ensuring that a new Ombudsman is rapidly nominated after the mandate of the current Ombudsman comes to term mid-July

2. Consolidating the legal framework within which OPC operates by having Parliament adopt a legislative bill setting out its mandate that complies with the Paris Principles

3. Allocating a sufficient budget to allow the OPC to:
   

• Hire new personnel and create the post of a Deputy Ombudsman
• Receive complaints and carry out investigations on alleged human rights violations
• Set up regional offices to place the institution in closer contact with the population

4. Making the OPC’s mandate better known among the general public

And finally,

5. Strengthening the OPC’s links with human rights organizations and other state institutions

Thank you, Mr. President.