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Haiti - Constitution : A historic step in Haiti-Diaspora Relations

"The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), following with great interest the debate that began in the parliament to revise the 1987 Constitution. The Ministry expresses its satisfaction with the voting which was done on the night of Sunday, May 8, which eliminates a series of articles which were a barrier for the descendants of Haitian who have taken another nationality so they always stay Haitian citizens.

According to what has been voted in Parliament, the articles, 12.1, 12.2, 13, 14 and 15 who said "dual Haitian and foreign nationality is not allowed in any case", will now allow the Haitians to have multiple nationalities.

For History, 84 parliamentarians were in favor of the removal of these articles, 2 against and 4 abstentions. This vote is a response to one of the most important demand of the diaspora, a demand that it made for a long time. Among other things, a Haitian who has another nationality may enjoy of its civil and political rights, as long as it is in compliance with the law.

The level of participation in the political affairs of the country of our compatriots who are living in the diaspora, is a theme that Senators and Deputies will debate during the day on Monday, May 9, 2011. The MHAVE recalls that in many other countries, the diaspora have their representatives in parliament or citizens who have another nationality can become a candidate as Deputy or Senator in their country. In this sense, the MHAVE asks parliamentarians to give more importance to this matter, so they support the provisions of the "Law on the privileges" for Haitians who have another nationality, law that was passed in Parliament in August 1, 2002.

The MHAVE, greets several sectors that have supported the reform of the constitution. The Government Préval-Bellerive who put this issue in the reform. Many civil society organizations and the media from here and outside who have supported it. Organizations of the diaspora who have made a long battle as the "Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti" (Chicago) and the movement "Dwan Bam" (Miami) for their special participation. This vote represents for the MHAVE an important page of history in Haiti's relations with its children who live in the diaspora."

Edwin Paraison
Ministre

See also :
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2903-haiti-flash-constitution-dua...

Article by HL/ HaitiLibre