Strike by Standing Magistrates: Counselor-President Emmanuel Vertilaire Meets COMADH

Following the strike movement launched this week by the Collective of Standing Magistrates of Haiti (COMADH), Counselor-President Emmanuel Vertilaire met, on Wednesday, November 20, with the Minister of Justice and Public Security, as well as representatives of the striking magistrates. According to Mr. Vertilaire, this initiative primarily aimed to re-establish a climate of trust between the authorities and the magistrates, while seeking a consensual solution to the collective's demands. He believes that the lasting resolution of this crisis depends on a rapprochement between the different actors in the judicial chain.
Surrounded by several collaborators, the Minister of Justice, aware of the difficulties faced by the magistrates, mentioned serious budgetary constraints within his ministry. He nevertheless emphasized the essential role played by standing magistrates in the continuity of judicial procedures and committed to examining internal measures likely to improve their working conditions, despite current financial limitations. For its part, COMADH presented the difficult conditions under which standing magistrates operate: lack of logistical resources, insufficient allowances, and difficulties affecting their professional dignity. The collective insisted on the urgency of adopting concrete measures to ensure the proper functioning of public prosecutor's offices and respect for the status of magistrates. At the end of the discussions, Counselor-President Vertilaire recognized the legitimacy of the demands raised. He announced that, starting in December, an additional amount will be paid onto the debit cards of standing magistrates to compensate for part of their professional expenses.