July 12, 2025
The Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) has welcomed the recent enactment of the new Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure, describing them as a decisive step forward for Haiti’s justice system. In a statement dated July 1, 2025, the Council called these texts “essential legal foundations,” while noting that they still contain shortcomings that could be improved.
The CSPJ stressed that this reform represents a historic opportunity for modernization, but that its effectiveness will depend on the State’s concrete commitment to implement it. It urged the relevant authorities to “take all necessary measures” to ensure these new norms are applied across the entire country.
The Council warned against a purely symbolic reform, emphasizing the urgent need to make the new provisions accessible to legal practitioners. Judges, clerks, and prosecutors must receive thorough training to guarantee consistent application of the new legal framework.
Reaffirming its willingness to play an active role in this transition, the CSPJ expressed its readiness to support any initiative aimed at strengthening judicial capacity. It stressed the importance of a uniform and rigorous interpretation of the texts to restore citizens’ trust in the justice system.
This statement clearly reflects the Council’s determination not to settle for a reform that exists only on paper, but rather to help build a more functional, accessible, and equitable justice system. It is now up to the executive and judicial institutions to turn this legal foundation into a true tool for change.
