“Article 6(k) of the Law requires the OPC to report annually on the national human rights situation and the public administration’s respect for individuals’ rights, and to widely disseminate the report, opinions and recommendations after submitting them to the President of the Republic, both Chambers of Parliament and to the competent authorities. However, the OPC did not confirm that its annual and thematic reports for 2022 have been considered or discussed by the Transitional Presidential Council.

In addition, the OPC noted that its 2023 report is yet to be published and indicated that the current authorities have not shown the political will to implement the recommendations made by the OPC.

Whilst noting the dire political context, the SCA considers it important that an NHRI should, in law and in practice, establish a process whereby the institution’s reports are widely circulated, discussed and considered by the relevant authorities.

Given the current context in Haiti, which is characterised by a crisis in the rule of law, the SCA encourages the OPC to prepare and publish its reports regularly and to ensure that they are discussed and that the OPC’s recommendations are addressed and considered by the current authorities.

The SCA refers to Paris Principle A.3 and to its General Observation 1.11 on ‘Annual reports of NHRIs’ as well as Paris Principles A.3(a), C(c), and D(d), and its General Observation 1.6 on ‘Recommendations by NHRIs’.”