Calls for Justice to be Served in Two Year Anniversary of Haitian President's Assassination

 As the two-year anniversary of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise’s assassination passes, the Office of Citizen Protection (OPC) has issued a letter decrying the "unacceptable slowness" of the investigation and calling for justice to be served.

Renan Hedouville, head of the OPC, has warned that a failure to bring Moise’s killers to justice will set a precedent of impunity and violence across all levels of society. The OPC’s letter is full of criticisms, including of the inadequate security conditions of the judge overseeing the investigation, Walter Wesser Voltaire.

To date, the US Department of Justice has charged 11 suspects in the killing, and in March, Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar pleaded guilty in a US federal court for his part in the assassination and was sentenced to life in prison in June.

However, many other suspects are still on the run. The OPC has offered its backing for international assistance in Haiti as the country contends with widespread gang violence.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have both expressed their support for an international force to work alongside the Haitian National Police to restore security across the country.

The assassination of Jovenel Moise has cast Haiti into further political turmoil, compounding the existing social, economic and health crises afflicting the Caribbean nation.

Moise’s wife, Martine, recently renewed calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate and bring her husband’s killers to justice. She has also filed a lawsuit against the suspects in the case, seeking unspecified damages for her family and a trial by jury.

As Haiti continues to face immense challenges, justice for the assassination of Jovenel Moise remains essential to restoring democracy and trust in the country. The OPC’s letter reminds us of the persistent need for justice for Moise and for all victims of violence in Haiti.