Bishops' group says dialogue must include all types of Haitians

Published: 2005-01-27

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CNS) -- The Haitian bishops' justice and peace commission said a proposed national dialogue needs to include of Haitian society. "We need a real dialogue that excludes no sector and includes the poor, peasants, market traders, workers and all other marginalized sectors," the justice and peace commission said in a Jan. 19 statement. "Such a dialogue should not be carried out in a rush just because elections are coming up," the statement said. Presidential and legislative elections are currently set for the end of 2005. In February 2004, Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled the country under pressure; he has been living in exile in South Africa. The justice and peace commission also expressed concern about some other issues under the leadership of Haiti's interim government, led by President Boniface Alexandre and Prime Minister Gerard Latortue. "The serious delays in the judicial system are feeding impunity, corruption, frustration and violence and persecution in our society," the commission said.

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