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Haiti: OAS Secretary General Expresses Concern over Recent Failures of the National Assembly

  July 15, 2016

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, today expressed his deep concern over the demonstrated inability of Haitian parliamentarians to meet in the National Assembly to decide on how best to guarantee institutional stability and encourage the continuation of the electoral process.

“Given the importance of the challenges and the serious risks to the country’s stability, it is particularly troubling that the meeting of the National Assembly set for yesterday, July 14, was cancelled, once again, due to a failure to reach quorum,” he said.

“Haiti can no longer afford to be the hostage of dilatory tactics and other ploys. The situation is critical. It is time to make a decision that should have been made long ago,” added the Secretary General.

“It is imperative for Haitian political stakeholders, including Parliamentarians and those provisionally governing the country, to fully assume their responsibilities towards the nation. The interests of the Haitian people must supersede partisan interests. Every effort should be made for the presidential, legislative and local elections to be held without delay and in a calm atmosphere,” he concluded.

Reference: E-082/16