Haiti: The Lawyers' Committee for the Respect of Individual Rights (CARLI); members of this committee, the date it was founded and problems it may have experienced with the authorities

The following information was obtained for the most part during a 24 June 2003 telephone interview with the executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for the Respect of Individual Rights (Comité des avocats pour le respect des libertés individuelles, CARLI). The CARLI was founded on 28 March 1996 (CARLI 24 June 2003) and is a non-governmental organization that advocates human rights (Haiti Press Network 28 March 2003). The organization's human rights activities focus on three aspects: prevention, promotion and protection (ibid.; CARLI 24 June 2003). The organization's priorities include increasing awareness of human rights and their promotion (Haiti Press Network 28 Mar. 2003). The organization also publishes a monthly magazine (CARLI 24 June 2003).

The founding members of the CARLI are Renan Hédouville, Fuismel Hazo, Réjeanne Simé and Jean Tu Go Senatus (ibid.). The present organizational structure of the CARLI includes a secretary general (Renan Hédouville), an assistant secretary general (Fuismel Hazo), three advisors (Marie Nadia Charles, Judes Cangé and Mireille Romena Deneis), an executive director (Maria Nadia Charles), a General Assembly of Members, two internal control units, a coordination unit for commissions, and seven commissions that deal with various issues, such as children's rights, labour rights and women's rights (ibid.).

The CARLI numbers approximately 300 members in all (ibid.). Members of the CARLI include lawyers, journalists, students, and health professionals (Haiti Press Network 28 Mar. 2003).

The executive director of the CARLI explained that the organization maintains good relations with the government authorities (CARLI 24 June 2003). The CARLI does not [translation] "oppose the government" but [translation] "speaks out, files complaints and makes recommendations" when necessary (ibid.). Also, according to the executive director, members of the CARLI [translation] "in general are not persecuted" (ibid.).

The CARLI is part of the "Group of 184," a coalition of civilian institutions and organizations in Haiti that is [translation] "involved in an intersectorial consultation process on the country's situation" (Haiti Democracy Project Reprint 26 Dec. 2002). On 12 February 2003, the CARLI organized a meeting in Port-au-Prince to discuss the subject of impunity (AlterPresse 12 Feb. 2003).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

AlterPresse [Port-au-Prince]. 12 February 2003. "Port-au-Prince : journée de réflexion sur l'impunité." [Accessed 23 June 2003]

Committee of Lawyers for the Respect of Individual Freedom (CARLI) [Port-au-Prince]. 24 June 2003. Telephone interview with the executive director.

Haiti Democracy Project Reprint. 26 December 2002. "Unity Statement." [Accessed 23 June 2003]

Haiti Press Network. 28 March 2003. "Après sept ans d'existence, le CARLI insatisfait." [Accessed 23 June 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

National Coalition for Haitian Rights

NEXIS

Internet sites, including:

Entraide missionnaire

International Federation of Human Rights

Haitiglobalvillage

Haïti en Marche

Haïti Progrès

Haïti Référence

US Committee for Refugees

WNC

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