All that starts badly ends badly
One does not need to be particularly smart or prescient
to predict that this march toward elections and worst the rush to swear in the new
parliament and install a new President will end badly.
Haiti has been without a functioning parliament for a
full year now. The current Prime
Minister, Mr. Evans Paul took office without going through the ratification
process or presenting a declaration of general public policy. Essentially, Haiti’s highest public officials
have been operating completely outside of the constitution. It is imperative
for Haiti to get back to constitutional order but it is also inconceivable to observe
that the very people who will be expected to make the laws and oversee their
applications are the very ones who are willfully breaking them. We have gotten to the place where nothing is sacred
because after all "this is Haiti" but I am not sure the nation can
take much more.
The necessity to stop the descent into this seemingly
bottomless dark abyss is not only about politics but also about the kind of
society we are and will become. The choices we are making today, either
out of necessity or as part of some macabre plan, will define generations to
come. It seems to be generally accepted that politics is not about
morality but when its practice contradicts with the people’s morality than it
is doomed to failure. If it is to do the
people’s work then politics must be anchored in moral justifications to be
accepted by the masses. However, this
relationship is not asymmetric, instead it is symbiotic between the ruled and
rulers. That is, while politics is not
the barometer for morality, it is an influential factor. In the case of Haiti, because of the lack of
opportunities in the private sector, politics is one of the only means to earn
a living, gain social status and maybe even becoming rich. Thus politics has become the aspiration for
the masses who dream of breaking through the fog of poverty by getting elected
to public office or at least becoming civil servants. This gives politicians an enormous level of
influence on sociability and norms. The
need of the masses to succeed leaves them open to the nefarious influence of
politicians who both intentionally and unintentionally break the very laws they
were sworn to uphold.
The violations against the constitution and now of the
electoral law are numerous, constant, consistent and flagrant to the point of
indecency. For the sake of brevity – and really, there is no point repeating
what everyone already knows— we can set aside the violence and intimidation
that was unleashed on August 9th, the sophisticated "irregularities"
of October 25th after which was created the Presidential commission that made many
recommendations that were swiftly disregarded.
Parenthetically, it is worth remembering how the last time the President
created a commission; its recommendations were followed to the letter and resulted in the
swift resignation of PM Lamothe.
It is true that the constitution in article 92-1 allows
that:
In the case where the elections cannot be determined
before the second Monday of January, the deputies elected enter into their
functions immediately after the validation of the ballot, and their mandate of four (4)
years is considered to have commenced on the second Monday of January of the year
of the entry into their
functions.
However, the commission’s report in the section on
recommendation noted that the “testimonies collected are unanimous in
recognizing that the elections of October 25, 2015 were affected by irregularities,
and that several candidates have benefited from their representatives at the polls
of these irregularities which are assimilated to frauds.” Therefore, above and beyond the legitimacy of
taking office under the cloud of doubts hanging over many members, there is the
concern that this enshrines misconduct in the general psyche and serves as a model
for the next generation of leaders. In a society where those that make
the law blatantly violate those very laws, it becomes difficult to hold its
citizens accountable or ask them to abide by the rule of law. From those who were fraudulently elected, can we hold them accountable? If they aren’t accountable then can we expect
them to enact policies that change our lives for the better?
The elections are but a mirror that reflects on the
state of nation. Unfortunately, we are
starting badly and the image that is reflected is one of a nation and society
that has lost its bearing. The actions
of this generation at this time will be reflected in the generations to come. We can expect this to end badly and will all be the worst for it.
I think all that you say has a great deal of merit. My disagreement comes from that you think it must be done under a provisionary government, - which would be Haiti's 38th. While Haiti has only had 19 "normally" elected government.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, there is no reason why all these things which we all know are required cannot be reviewed, adopted and subsequently implemented under a "regular" government. I still do not see why there must at all cost be another "STOP" and reset, - once again.
In addition, given the fact that the opposition represented by the G8 is unable to come together, in spite of the similarities in ideology, - what gives us the impression that there will be any kind of agreement during a transition government???
Why do we feel we can only make the changes we need and deserve under a provisional government??? Why not look to engage and work with the newly elected parliament,- and yes whether we approve of them or not?
This will set a much needed example and precedent in citizens' activism, and better engage the two groups. Such action allow better responsibility on the part of the elected officials as well as introduce the concept of accountability and responsibility.
Rather then dismiss the parliament and the ability of the people to engage and work with the parliament, we should look to at least try!!!
Haiti's democracy is suffering growing pains, but it is up to the people which way we go.
Johnny,
ReplyDeleteI sincerely appreciate your point of view. But I quite honestly fail to understand why we should place yet another heavy burden, on an already vulnerable system? Nor why we should want to put the system, however imperfect on hold? Especially when the opposition of G8 can easily address this ill by coming together. Should their goal be to put Haiti first!!
Because quite simply, in my point of view, if the G8 cannot agree,- how do we expect en even greater group, to include ideological opponents, to agree??
Why not simply undertake all of your very legitimate suggestions and look to review them unless less time dictated pressure?