Haitian Lawmakers Give Diaspora Right to Vote, Preserve Presidential Term Limits

By: - May 10th, 2011

Amending its 1987 constitution, Haiti’s legislature has recognized multiple citizenship, giving members of the Haitian diaspora the right to vote for the first time. More than four million Haitians living abroad can now vote, though they are still unable to campaign for government offices without renouncing their foreign citizenship. The National Assembly also voted against a measure that would have changed the constitution to allow presidents to serve two consecutive terms. [AFP]

Haiti

France's Sarkozy, Joined by Caribbean Officials, Backs Anti-Trafficking Fund

Joined by officials from several regions including the Caribbean, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed an international fund operated by the United Nations to tackle the increasing global problem of illegal drug trafficking. Earlier this week, Gen. Douglas Fraser, head of the U.S. Southern Command, called transnational drug trafficking the greatest threat to the region. [Jamaica […]

Haiti

How Caribbean Local Governments Work

Kingston, Jamaica Sometimes the Caribbean’s local governments are not given adequate attention — but they are largely the ones providing services and other governmental functions in the region for a huge number of residents. Caribbean local governance tends to break down into three models: the Kingston Model, or a “political directorate,” the Bridgetown (Barbados) Model […]

Haiti

U.S. General: Transnational Crime is the Greatest Threat to the Caribbean

Criminal gangs engaged in the transnational trafficking of drugs, guns and humans are the greatest threat to the region, according to Gen. Douglas Fraser, the head of the U.S. Southern Command. “The traffickers are well-financed and very capable,” he said, speaking at the University of Miami’s Center for Hemispheric Policy. “This is a long fight; […]

Haitian Schoolchildren Find an Unlikely Teacher: A Cruise Line

École Nouvelle Royal Caribbean Tourists have generally found their way to Haiti by way of the several cruise lines that dock on the country’s coastlines. Now, however, cruise lines are making their way onto land, and doing their part to rebuild the country’s disaster-torn educational system. In close proximity to its private resort in Labadie, […]

Seismologist: Haiti Must Include Quake Preparedness in Redevelopment

Eric Calais By the Caribbean Journal staff Minimizing the risk of future earthquakes must a focus of any Haitian development plans, according to Eric Calais, a seismologist with the United Nations Development Programme. “When the next earthquake hits Haiti we have to be sure that the country is prepared,” he said. “Haiti cannot afford being […]

After 25 Years, Swiss Government Moves to Seize Duvalier's Millions

École Nouvelle Royal Caribbean Tourists have generally found their way to Haiti by way of the several cruise lines that dock on the country’s coastlines. Now, however, cruise lines are making their way onto land, and doing their part to rebuild the country’s disaster-torn educational system. In close proximity to its private resort in Labadie, […]

Martelly Embarks on U.S. Trip

 Haitian President-Elect Michel Martelly is heading to the United States for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and World Bank and IMF officials. According to a statement, Martelly will be discussing “job creation, education, security, reconstruction and health.” Martelly’s election was confirmed in preliminary results earlier this month, and now he sets off […]