Rene Civil - Haiti Observer Blog

Throughout the history of Haiti, only a few political parties have had a strong organizational structure. In the 1870s and the 1880s, the Liberal Party and the National Party were the two dominant political parties in Haiti reflecting the social and class division that exists in the country. On one side, you see the Liberals party composed mainly of the wealthier and better-educated mulatto minority in Haiti. On the other hand, the Nationalists Party, made mainly of the lower-and middle-class black majority.

Following the United States occupation (1915-34), the nationalist parties organized around the issue of resistance to foreign occupation. The political parties in Haiti started multiplying during the presidential campaign of 1946. Many candidates were participating, including: Parti Socialiste (PSP), Parti Democrate Unifi (PDU), Mouvement Ouvrier Paysan (MOP) and many more. During the Duvalier reign, most political leaders had been silenced.

Read more →  

Rene Civil, arrested several times for his criticism of Haiti's government, was recently released after 16 months locked up on fraudulent charges. Active in left-wing politics, member of several grassroots activist organizations, he began as head of Jeunesse Pouvoir Populaire (JPP) after President Aristide's return from exile. Civil entered ghettos of Port-au-Prince, inspiring young people to join JPP in the fight for democracy. Rene Civil provided young people, not only an education to escape the mentality of their upbringing; he also provided financial means.

To educate and enlighten Haitian youth, Rene Civil has empowered activists to challenge any issue in Haiti's corrupt political system. He has advocated on a variety of issues facing people of Haiti. In particular, he is an impassioned supporter of the poorest Haitians. Shortly before his arrest in 2006, he gave an eloquent speech about violence among the poor, its sources and implicit impact. Violence, according to Civil, is a lack of many basic rights and necessities. It is a lack of food, of livable shelters, of being uneducated that gnaws at the souls of Haiti's poorest.

Read more →