On Monday, April 21, 2025, Patrick Pélissier, Minister of Justice and Public Security, opened a major three-day workshop on land dispute resolution in Haiti, in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union Delegation.

In his opening remarks, the Minister recalled that more than half of the disputes in Haiti are land-related, a complex issue rooted in a history still marked by unresolved injustices. He highlighted the emergence of new forms of land insecurity, fueled by armed violence and illegal practices.

Faced with this emergency, the Ministry of Justice has established specialized units in the country's 18 courts and plans to establish them within diplomatic missions to strengthen the judicial response for the benefit of litigants, both in Haiti and abroad. Within the broader framework of the fight against insecurity, the Minister announced that last March he signed a $12 million grant for the Haitian National Police (PNH) to purchase equipment. This month, he also disbursed over 150 million gourdes to support security efforts.

Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that more than 40 cases relating to alleged corruption are currently pending before the courts. He indicated that the Government Commissioner intends to review all of these cases to determine which ones he will take up ex officio or initiate appropriate prosecutions, in accordance with the requirements of the law and respecting the principle of due process.

The Minister also announced the upcoming resumption of criminal trials, suspended since 2018, as well as a series of actions to ensure access to justice for women and children. "The justice system must be at the forefront of protecting citizens' rights and restoring state authority," declared Minister Pélissier, reaffirming the government's determination to make security, including land security, a national priority.

HL/ HaitiLibre