Magistrate - Haiti Observer Blog

The President of the Republic of Haiti on Monday, October 7th, gave a speech meant to rouse into action the audience of the opening ceremony of the Courts for the 2013 to 2014 judicial year.

Held at the School of Magistrates, the ceremony saw the attendance of Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) members, Diplomatic Corps representatives, The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Me. Jean Renel Sanon, Council of the Bar of Port-au-Prince members, judges of the Court of Cassation, Basoche personalities and other members of the government.

During his presentation, President Martelly charged the Law and Justice professionals present to follow the mandates of their civic conscience when making those decisions based on acts of law. He reminded all that his administration was committed to creating a rule of law to govern Haiti that would be imperious and irreversible, always doing so with an ear to those who cried out for 'Justice for all'.

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The former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier did not play his cards well with the head of the court of appeals, magistrate Jean Joseph Lebrun. He defied the judge order to appear in court on Thursday to face charges of corruption and human-rights violations during his 15-year rule and did not show up, sending his attorney instead, Reynold Georges. However, the judge who was not happy about that on Thursday summoned Jean-Claude Duvalier to appear in court.

Jean-Claude Duvalier was scheduled to attend a hearing to determine whether he should again face charges for human rights abuses committed during the 15 years of his regime.

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