PORT-AU-PRINCE, (Reuters) – An appeals court judge ordered former Haitian President Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier to appear in court later this month on human rights allegations following a raucous hearing on the issue yesterday. Duvalier, 61, the country’s former “president for life,” returned to Haiti in January 2011 after 25 years of exile and was briefly detained on charges of corruption, theft and misappropriation of funds.
Haiti
UNITED NATIONS, CMC - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says the United States and other countries have failed to properly screen Haitian migrants interdicted at sea to ascertain whether they have “a credible fear” of violence and persecution. “People should be screened for credible fear, rather than having the burden of having to shout their way to be noticed,” said Leslie Velez, UNHCR’s senior protection officer.
CROIX-des-BOUQUETS, Haiti - The bright green, orange and blue box-shaped tiny buildings beckon like neon signs on a dark night. Partially built and the size of a tiny motel room, the two-room structures are a huge improvement over the tattered tents and tin shacks where 347,284 Haitians still linger three years after the devastating Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake.
Miami Herald - The International Crisis Group, which monitors conflicts around the world, is calling it quits in Haiti — sort of. The non-governmental organization is the latest to shut its Port-au-Prince office — but not before issuing some parting words As Haitians prepare to celebrate the annual pre-Lenten Carnival season this month, an international anti-conflict group is warning that there is little cause for optimism and without a national accord, the country risks ongoing crises.
UNITED NATIONS, CMC – The United Nations Security Council is urging all political actors in Haiti to work constructively on priorities, including credible 2013 elections and security sector reform.
The UN has also re-affirmed its commitment to the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country as it seeks to complete its peacekeeping mission in the earthquake battered country.
The UN Security Council said Monday that it remains committed to supporting the Haitian people in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity. Masood Khan, president of the Security Council for this month, reaffirmed the commitment in a statement issued here after the UN body received a briefing by Mariano Fernandez, special representative for the secretary-general for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) -- Haiti's prime minister says his country is hoping to attract high-end tourists and multinational investors — instead of constant aid handouts — so it can get on its feet after the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said Saturday he recognizes that's an ambitious dream for a country where 52 percent of the people live below the poverty line and where infrastructure is desperately lacking.
This is the third cabinet change in President Michel Martelly’s 20 month presidency, and it comes after months of speculation about the stability of his government. For the second time in five months, Haiti’s government has reshuffled the cabinet, ending months of rumors about who would survive growing political intrigue. Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who remains in his post as minister of planning and external cooperation, announced the pending shakeup via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon in French.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - BOTH THE President of Haiti Michel Martelly, and Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, have separately lamented the continuing defaults in aid pledges for the reconstruction of earthquake devastated Haiti.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Miami Herald) -- Haiti's government says that President Michel Martelly has left the country for a "complete medical checkup" in Florida. The doctor's visit comes almost a year after the 51-year-old leader traveled to Miami for a two-week stay in Miami to recover from what officials said was a blood clot in his lung. His office at the time said doctors diagnosed him with a blood clot that stemmed from an operation on his right shoulder. The surgery was apparently needed because of pain in his arm from years of performing as a musician.