A new step towards judicial reform in Haiti with the installation of the 5th Judicature of the CSPJ
This Thursday, October 3, 2024, the School of Magistracy, located on the Route de Frères, was the scene of a solemn ceremony: the taking of oath and the installation of the members of the 5th Judicature of the Superior Council of the Judicial Power (CSPJ). Chaired by Advisor-President Edgard Leblanc Fils, this ceremony brought together high-ranking personalities, emphasizing the importance of this step in strengthening the Haitian judicial system.
A ceremony marked by the presence of political and judicial figures
In addition, Carlos Hercule, Minister of Justice, and Jean Joseph Lebrun, President of the Court of Cassation, honored the event with their presence. Ms. Isabel Salvador, representative of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, as well as other important personalities from the judicial sector and civil society, also attended this ceremony.
The new members of the CSPJ
The eight members of the 5th Judicature of the Superior Council of the Judicial Power were officially installed during this ceremony:
- Jean Joseph Lebrun (President)
- Carves Jean
- Wando St Villier
- Noé Pierre Louis Massillon
- Erode Bazile
- Jude Thimogene
- Lionel Constant Bourgoin
- Althénor Barthélemy
These judges will play a crucial role in regulating and supervising the judicial system in Haiti, a country that faces many challenges in terms of justice and respect for human rights.
A speech for fair and accessible justice
In his speech, the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc Fils, insisted on the need for fair justice accessible to all Haitian citizens. He affirmed that this ceremony marks a crucial step in improving the efficiency of the Haitian judicial system and strengthening the fundamental rights of the population.
Mr. Leblanc Fils also underlined the importance of the independence of the judiciary, an essential pillar to guarantee public confidence in judicial institutions. “Justice must not only be fair, but also accessible to all, without distinction of class, wealth or influence”he said. He encouraged the new members of the CSPJ to assume their responsibilities with integrity and to work to restore citizens’ confidence in the judicial system.
Government commitment to support the CSPJ
In order to fully support the mission of this new judicature, Councilor-President Leblanc Fils assured the members of the CSPJ that the necessary resources will be made available to them. He stressed that one of the priority objectives of his transitional government is to provide the judicial system with adequate means to meet the expectations of the Haitian population in terms of justice and security.
“We will do everything we can to provide the necessary financial, material and human resources so that you can accomplish your mission in the best conditions”he said. This is a crucial commitment in a country where the lack of resources allocated to justice has long hampered equitable access to it.
An essential judicial reform
The swearing-in and installation ceremony of members of the 5th Judicature comes in a context of increased pressure on the Haitian judicial system, faced with an increase in violence and prolonged political instability. The Haitian judicial system has, on several occasions, been criticized for its lack of transparency, independence and efficiency. The appointment of this new team to the CSPJ is seen as a response to calls for profound reform of justice in Haiti.
The Superior Council of the Judicial Power, as the regulatory body of the judicial system, plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and independence of the courts. With this new team in place, expectations are high regarding the CSPJ’s ability to improve the quality of judicial services and fight against the corruption that has plagued the system for years.
A message of hope for Haitian justice
The October 3, 2024 ceremony marks a crucial step in efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Haiti. The message from Councilor-President Leblanc Fils resonates as a call for unity and action to build a judicial system that meets the aspirations of the Haitian people.
The members of the 5th Judicature of the CSPJ are now entrusted with a mission of great importance: to restore citizens’ confidence in justice and to guarantee that it is delivered in a fair and independent manner. As Haiti continues to experience a period of major challenges, this installation symbolizes a new era for the Haitian judiciary, with hope for a fairer and more stable future.
Also read:
2024-10-04 03:12:27