WASHINGTON, DC (November 21, 2019) – Today, House Democracy Partnership Chairman David Price (D-NC) and Co-Chair Vern Buchanan (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the ongoing crisis in Haiti:
“As co-chairs of the House Democracy Partnership, we are deeply concerned by the ongoing political and economic crisis in Haiti. We urge all democratically elected Haitian officials and civil society actors to work together towards a peaceful political solution that respects the rule of law, creates space for dialogue, and ends the violence and suffering afflicting all Haitians. It is increasingly urgent for Haiti to move beyond the current political impasse which blocks international support and foreign direct investment into the country. Further, those fomenting unrest and impeding or derailing progress towards peaceful resolutions must be held accountable.”
“We also implore all parties and actors in Haiti to respect the freedom of the press, which is a pillar of any democracy, particularly one going through difficult times. Those who are reporting the facts and covering the ongoing situation must have the freedom to do so safely and without retaliation.”
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan, twenty-member commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with the legislatures of partner countries around the world to support the development of effective, independent, and responsive legislative institutions. Central to its work is peer-to-peer cooperation to build technical expertise in partner legislatures that will enhance accountability, transparency, legislative independence, access to information, and government oversight.
HDP approved a legislative strengthening partnership with the Haitian National Assembly in September 2006. The partnership has provided technical assistance on committee operations, including the importance of public hearings and oversight of the executive branch. HDP has also provided expertise on the development of ethics rules and appropriate enforcement mechanisms.