Senator - Haiti Observer Blog

Haiti is run by a government with a bicameral legislature, which is composed of the Upper House (Senate) and the Lower House (Chamber of Deputies). These two houses make up the National Assembly, which is also known as a joint session of Parliament.

Based on the constitution, the National Assembly must be convened for specific reasons and purposes. When the National Assembly sets a meeting, important topics affecting the entire country are touched on. Such meetings are presided over by the Senate president, who is assisted by the president of the Chamber of Deputies. The secretaries of both houses, meanwhile, also serve the same role for the National Assembly.

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Haiti's legislative elections were to have taken place at the end of 2011, but have been stalled by the government of Haiti's (GOH) inability to decree a Permanent Electoral Council (PEC). Presently, a Temporary Electoral Council operates, but has no authority to hold elections.

At the center of the electoral crisis is a high rate of absenteeism occurring in Parliament. A quorum is necessary to carry on business, particularly appointing a PEC. Five senators are out campaigning for votes instead of doing legislative work, which includes appointing a PEC so "free, fair, and inclusive elections" can be held. Bureau Secretary Senator Steven Benoit released the senators' names to the press: Jean William Jeanty, Edwin Daniel Zenny, Wencesclass Lambert, Lucien Derex Pierre-Louis, and Maxime Roumer.

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Another official has been linked to a kidnapping case in Haiti, where two children of the chief of a major bank in the country were abducted. Senator Jean-Charles Mose confirmed that Deputy Gracia Delva was involved in the case. Mose claimed that investigations showed that Delva himself was the one who tried to help suspects Jean Ricot Pierre Val, Altidol Tius, and Carlos Badel Saint-Fort flee the country. Reports said Delva let the suspects use his car to cross the border to get to Santiago a northern town in the Dominican Republic.

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After an uncertain account of his behavior on Monday, Senator Edwin Zenny (Edo) seems to be more calm now to recollect his behavior last Saturday. In a press conference in Parliament, on Monday, the Senator has declared that "I did not spit on the judge Bob Simonis". Additionally, he denied that he was armed at the time of the incident.

According to Haitilibre, Senator Edwin Zenny declared on Radio Magik 9 "There had been altercations and exchanges of words between us. By discussing, anything was possible. I tell you without lie, for Jacmel, I can do anything."

What does that mean exactly: "For Jacmel, I can do anything"?

Would the Senator abuse others, kill or violate the law he supposed to uphold for Jacmel?

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The first Senator of Southeast, Edwin Zenny, was unable to control his anger last Saturday. He actually committed one of the most despicable act to a fellow Haitian. While judge of Peace in Jacmel, Bob Simonis and Professor Pierre Lucien participated in a radio show hosted by the journalist Etzer Pierre, he got involved in an exchange with the first senator of South-East, Edwin Zenny (Edo) who was not invited into the show.

Senator Zenny who is a close ally of President Michel Martelly called judge Bob Simonis a thief on the radio station, following the release of these four individuals. As you can imagine, the situation got worse. Ultimately, according to report, Senator Edwin Zenny, not being able to reach judge Bob Simonis to punch his face, did the next best thing. According to reports in all the media, he would collect mucus and spit on the face of judge Bob Simonis. Professor Pierre Lucien who was seating close by the judge also received a good portion of the Senator's spit as well.

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Former Haitian Police Chief, Army major and bodyguard Dany Toussaint is also a former Senator and leader of the Haitian Democratic and Reformist Movement Party. Mr. Dany Toussaint was a body guard of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Involvement In Jean Dominique case:
Dany Toussaint was named as a suspect in the 2000 murder of a radio journalist, Jean Dominique. In 2003, Former Government Commissioner Claudy Gassant made new when he requested the immunity of Senator Dany Toussaint be lifted in regard to the assassination. This request Judge Claudy Gassant to remove his immunity was nor honored by the Haitian Senate.

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The story of the citizenship of Michel Martelly continues to occupy front page in the news. The latest I heard today is from Senator Moise Jean Charles who stated that the three senators who gave their resignation last week want to comeback to the panel. Senators Joseph Lambert, Youri Latortue and Yvon Buissereth want to return according to Moise jena Charles. The Senator from North Department said that the three Haitian senators miscalculated the outcome and thought that the investigation would have been closed with the presentation of these passports by President Michel Martelly.

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The Haitian Senators have spoken. The 16 Haitian Senators or as they come to be known as the group of 16 released a statement in which they made several demands to President Michel Martelly. According to the Senators, this is the only way the current crisis can be solved between the Haitian President and the Senators.

This is definitely a long list and in it, there are several demands made to the president.

It is a proclamation of the current situation and the Senators.

Knowing the mentality of my Haitian brothers in Haiti, if the Senators are not willing to negotiate on this proposed list, we are doomed. We are in a political deadlock for a long time. And that is and I repeat, that is if "Mister Blanc" does not come in and say enough is enough.

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Is this a case of corruption when 11 members of Inite party are engaged in consulting jobs? Some how I did not know it was so easy to get a job in Haiti.

The RNDDH reported that several current Haitian Parliamentarians were being paid as consultants from October 2010 at the Ministry of Interior. All were members of the Inite Platform. According to the report, these are the same people who were responsible to fight corruption.

"Rat Kay Kap Mange Poul Kay"

Based on the report issued by RNDDH, except for one, all Deputies Under Inite Platform were receiving Monthly salary of 100,000 gourdes, each.

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