Patrick Pélissier, the Minister of Justice, met with representatives of the Collective of Standing Magistrates of Haiti. Discussions focused on the working conditions of prosecutors in the country's 18 courts of first instance with a view to achieving better results for litigants.

The need to implement a continuing education program for prosecutors was also discussed, in order to strengthen their professional skills, particularly in the areas of crime and investigative techniques. Issues related to increasing debit card amounts and the granting of installation bonuses to standing magistrates transferred to other jurisdictions were also discussed during these discussions.

The Minister of Justice and Public Security informed the members of the Collective that it was impossible to address their demands regarding the debit card for the current fiscal year due to a lack of funding in the recently adopted supplementary budget. However, he promised that he would take the necessary steps to address this demand during the following fiscal year.

The Minister also promised to do everything possible to end the imbalance between the various components of the judiciary, in accordance with the law of November 27, 2007.

The Minister, who called on the prosecutors to demonstrate greater professionalism, took the opportunity to reaffirm the firm determination of the Government and the Presidential Transitional Council to do everything possible to ensure peace and security throughout the national territory.

IH/ S/ iciHaiti