In recent years, several cases of disappearance of the body of the offense, evidences and even personal objects seized or confiscated by the judicial police and transmitted to the justice authorities, have taken place in the court of first instance of Port-au-Prince.

From March 2018 to October 2020, at least 23 thefts and attempted thefts were perpetrated at the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, Registry of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Cabinets of instruction of most magistrates, Registry of cabinets of instruction, Principal Registry.

In 17 of these cases, no evidence of break-ins on the doors giving access to the spaces where these files were kept was recorded. This reveals that these objects were stolen by members of the administrative and judicial staff assigned to the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, or with their complicity. These are thefts of crucial elements, and ultimately unavoidable, helping to reveal the truth, none of these cases has resulted in the conviction of those involved.

The 24 security agents of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, reinforced by the 20 agents of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), assigned to the Palace of Justice appear not to be able to secure sensitive areas.

In an effort to elucidate the circumstances of these thefts, the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) has launched an investigation at the courthouse of Port-au-Prince.

Download the full RNDDH investigation report (PDF in French) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/11-Rap-Vols-TPI-PAP-VS-19Nov2020.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre