April 10, 2025
In a letter addressed to the President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), Fritz Alphonse Jean, the Professional Association of Magistrates (APM in French) has expressed deep concerns over the paralysis of Haiti’s judicial system. The document, signed by APM President Marthel Jean Claude, highlights that for over five months, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ in French) has submitted a list of 55 magistrates awaiting renewal or promotion—without any response from the Executive. This deadlock is severely undermining the administration of justice, making it impossible to process and adjudicate ongoing cases.
APM stresses the urgent need to break this impasse, warning that “the absence of a mandate for these judges […] constitutes a serious violation of citizens’ rights and paralyzes the proper functioning of the judicial system.” The association reminds authorities that access to a judge is a fundamental right enshrined in both international and national legal frameworks to which Haiti is a signatory. The continued delay in judicial appointments further weakens an already fragile judicial apparatus.
Calling on the TPC to take swift action, APM underscores the Executive’s duty to uphold the right to a fair trial. “It is therefore the Executive’s responsibility to guarantee this right in accordance with the international and national legal instruments ratified by Haiti,” the letter insists. This administrative inertia risks deepening public distrust in the judiciary and reinforcing a climate of impunity.
In light of this urgent situation, APM urges the President of the TPC to take the necessary steps to finalize these long-awaited appointments. The association concludes by reaffirming its commitment to an efficient and accessible justice system, while calling on the authorities to fulfill their responsibilities without further delay.
