NAME OF MECHANISM

National Commission for Truth and Justice (CNVJ)

YEARS OF OPERATION

April 1995-Feb 1996 (10 months)

MANDATE AND OPERATIONS

Mandate: Established by President Jean-Betrand Aristide “to globally establish the truth concerning the most serious Human Rights violations perpetrated between September 29, 1991 and October 15, 1994, inside and outside the country and to help to the reconciliation of all Haitians without any prejudice against seeking legal action based on these violations.”

Staff: 7 commissioners, 4 Haitian and 3 international.

Results: They took testimony from about 5,500 individuals, identified 8,667 victims who had suffered 18,629 violations. [AAAS]

FINAL REPORT

Si M Pa Rele… (If I Don’t Cry Out…) (February 1996; made public 1997)

The report included the recommendation that the UN Security Council establish an international tribunal to try those accused of human rights violations. [PH] It also proposed the formation of a reparations commission, changes to Haiti's (non-existent) rape laws, and other judicial reforms.

The report was criticised for its timidity and failure to name those responsbile for Haiti's coup.

The report used to help screen new applications to civilian police force.

LATEST UPDATE

January 2008: A few key trials were held, most notably those concerning the Raboteau and Carrefour-Feuilles killings, but the majority of human rights violations victims still await justice.