US: Release of Haiti political prisoners a "concession"

US Ambassador Pamela Anne White and OAS Diplomat Frederic Bolduc in the halls of the Haitian Parliament, Sunday, January 11, 2015, to pressure lawmakers to vote on an Electoral Bill drafted at the National Palace, outside of the law, and without the existence of an independent electoral council.

Ambassador Pamela White (left) attend 2-year anniversary, also 2-years overdue election, carnival for President Michel Martelly (center).

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THE SENTINEL STAFF

Sunday, 11 January 2015 15:27

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - After nearly four years, most were not surprised when the Embassy of the United States in Haiti said it would continue to support Michel Martelly with or without Parliament, with or without a "comprehensive political consensus"; this was nothing new. Shocking was that a number of Constitutional remedies, including the release of political prisoners, were described as "concessions" by the US government.

In a communication released on Sunday, the US Government said "that despite various concessions made by the President, Parliament has not yet voted an electoral law". The US Ambassador Pamela White has stood steadfast with President Michel Martelly through three and half years where conditions, not conducive to free and fair elections, were maintained.

Of the "concessions" the mission of US Ambassador Pamela White speaks of the release of 39 of 43 political prisoners, a tentative decision to form a Provisional Electoral Council according to what the Constitution of Haiti describes, the resignation of Chief Justice Anel Alexis Joseph and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe who both had not reached their posts under Constitutional terms and are accused of systematic corruption.

Of the vote on a new Electoral Bill, Parliament has asked that an independent council, an electoral council, draft the bill, as is required by the Constitution of Haiti. The bill currently in Parliament was drafted by Michel Martelly at the National Palace and therefore has not been received in the people's House.

The Haitian people have been calling for elections for since November 2011 but Martelly believed it would be possible to establish a dictatorship by waiting for mandates of lawmakers to end so that he can "rule by decree". 10 Senators, the only persons with a mandate from the Haitian people to legislate will remain in office until 2017.

The Embassy press note read:

The US Government strongly supports the efforts of the President Martelly to reach a comprehensive political consensus to resolve the political impasse in Haiti. The US government notes with serious concern that despite various concessions made by the President, Parliament has not yet voted an electoral law to facilitate the organization of elections in 2015.

In the short time remaining before the end of constitutional mandate of the current Parliament on January 12, we urge all parties to agree on a framework regarding parliamentary mandates the creation of a new Provisional Electoral Council, voting on amendments to the law election and the formation of a consensus government.

The US government strongly urges the parties to find a solution that guarantees the continuity of republican institutions of Haiti in accordance with the Constitution. However, if this solution can be found by Jan. 12, the United States will continue to work with President Martelly and whatever the institutions of the Haitian legitimate government in place to safeguard the significant progress we have achieved together since the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

The Haitian people have the right to elect its leaders, and in these circumstances, the United States would expect the President to use his executive powers responsibly in to organize elections inclusive, credible and transparent, quickly as possible.