Martelly Calls Deputies Back for Extraordinary Session

Haiti: Martelly Calls Deputies Back for Extraordinary Session
Thursday, 11 October 2012 11:23
Written by Samuel Maxime | . 18 1 2


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Much to their dismay, President Michel Martelly called deputies back from vacation to convene an extraordinary session of the legislature. Several bills are on the docket and "the special session will last until exhaustion" of the matters according to the executive order.

- A bill sanctioning money laundering and the financing of terrorism
- A bill on the establishment, organization and functioning of the National Fund for Education (FNE)
- Draft law on eGovernment
- Draft law on electronic exchanges
- Draft law on electronic signatures adapting the law of evidence in information technology and broadening the skills of the National Council of Telecommunications
- Any other Agreements, Treaties and Conventions deemed relevant
- Designation of three (3) representatives of the Legislative body to the Permanent Electoral Council

The executive order calling in the session was published on Tuesday and one would expect that the Chamber of Deputies, that went out of session two weeks ago, would have met on their regular meeting day, Thursday, but the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Levaillant Louis-Jeune (Desdunes/Inite) said this would not be possible.

Chamber President Louis-Jeune spoke in an interview with Vision 2000 radio host Marie Lucie Bonhomme Opont and explained the reason why deputies would not meet Thursday October 11.

The Chairman said the convocation would not take place because it was on the radio he heard the news that an extraordinary session would take place and that he didn't receive correspondence from the National Palace until Wednesday "very late" afternoon, "less than 24 hours".

Louis-Jeune said deputies were on vacation, many were out of the circumscriptions and many traveled abroad. Louis-Jeune spoke for the Chamber and said "we denounce the inelegance and the cavalier comportment" of the executive in calling for the session because he was not consulted before such a decision was made.

Deputy Louis-Jeune said that he will plan with the President of the Senate, Simon Desras (Centre/Lavni) for a week of work next week.