Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho are dedicated to the fight for human rights in Haiti. The United Nations and the OAS formed a joint human rights mission in Haiti in the early 90’s, establishing tenets for protecting citizens of Haiti.
A President’s Request: The History of the International Civilian Mission.
The United Nations and Organization of American States (OAS) launched a joint human rights mission in Haiti in 1993, after ousting democratically elected President Aristide. The joint human rights mission, called MICIVIH for the French acronym Mission Civile Internationale en Haiti, employed over 200 human rights observers to help safeguard the civil rights of Haitian citizens in all areas of the island nation. The observers were stationed at base offices in each of Haiti’s seven administrative departments, with a large headquarters in the capital of Port au Prince.
The MICIVIH website states:
“The International Civilian Mission in Haiti was created in February 1993, during the coup d'état, at the request of President Aristide, to observe the human rights situation in Haiti. It is the first joint mission between the United Nations (UN) and a regional organization, the Organization of American States (OAS).
The Mission is dedicated to verifying the respect of human rights. After the return to constitutional order in October 1994, the Mission expanded its work to include the promotion of human rights and institution building.”
United Nations and OAS Volunteers: Different Backgrounds and Experiences, One Common Goal.
The observers hired by the mission to help the fight against human rights abuses in Haiti represented all member nations of the Organization of American States as well as many member nations of the United Nations outside of the Americas. The observers are of diverse backgrounds, though all are required to speak French fluently and have professional experience related to the job and its requirements.
Some members of the joint human rights mission are human rights lawyers or constitutional lawyers, many have experience with non-governmental organizations with experience working in the region, and many have field experience in remote or hardship conditions can work effectively in Haiti’s difficult and often dangerous political, social and economic climate.
From the MICIVIH website
June 28, 2007
June 9, 2007
The International Civilian Mission in Haiti: Medical Help, Civic Education and the Future of MICIVIH.
Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have committed themselves to fighting human rights violations in Haiti. Some of the accomplishments of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti include setting up the Medical Unit to provide assistance to victims and promoting awareness of human rights laws.
Haiti Civilian Mission’s Medical Unit Provides Help for Victims.
Between 1993 and 1994 the International Civilian Mission in Haiti’s (MICIVIH) Medical Unit was the only structure in Haiti working to ensure that the victims of human rights violations received medical attention for problems - whether physical or psychological - associated with the abuses they had suffered. This objective was in practice achieved through the creation of a national network of Haitian medical practitioners willing to provide care to those who had suffered human rights violations. The Medical Unit in Haiti also produced official documents certifying that the medical condition of individuals was consistent with their testimony of human rights abuse.
Since the Haiti Civilian Mission's return to the country in October 1994, the MICIVIH Medical Unit in Haiti has worked in collaboration with doctors from the French non-governmental organization Médecins du Monde to provide care and reconstructive surgery to victims of human rights violations. The Medical Unit in Haiti continues to compile detailed documentation on the medical consequences of such human rights violations for victims and their families. During mid-1995 the Medical Unit gave priority to the preparation of medical evidence for submission to the Commission Nationale de Vérité et Justice.
The Medical Unit in Haiti is also undertaking research on the psychological effects on individuals and their families of the repression perpetrated during the de facto regime. An analytical assessment of the research material was completed and published before February 1996. Members of the Medical Unit work with local health professionals and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International towards the creation of a Haitian Community Clinic for Victims of Trauma, through a non-profit organization called M'ap viv (I'm alive).
Civic Education Provided by the International Civilian Mission in Haiti.
MICIVIH has worked closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Port-au-Prince and in the provinces to promote knowledge and awareness of international and domestic human rights law.
MICIVIH observers conduct human rights workshops for NGOs and other interested organizations, as well as attending meetings organized by popular and local organizations at which human rights issues are discussed.
The International Civilian Mission provides posters and other materials, as requested, to those organizing civic education seminars. The Haiti Civilian Mission has also participated in human rights education programs organized by UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations, such as UNICEF and the Martin Luther King Foundation.
MICIVIH will continue to develop programs of human rights education and to respond to requests for support by groups and individuals engaged in civic education.
The Bright Future of the Haiti Civilian Mission: Monitoring Respect for Human Rights in Haiti.
MICIVIH continues to monitor respect for human rights in all regions of the country and to document its findings. The Haiti Civilian Mission aims to contribute as fully as possible to the reinforcement of democratic institutions and in particular monitors the progress and implementation of judicial and penal reform. Technical assistance in both spheres will be provided whenever possible. Legal experts within the Haiti Civilian Mission will provide training for the newly-formed Haitian National Police on codes of conduct and human rights protection.
MICIVIH continues to publish statements setting forth its assessment of political and human rights questions, as part of its commitment to disseminating accurate information and stimulating public debate about democracy and human rights in Haiti. It will in addition produce more detailed reports on a number of phenomena which bear directly on civil and political rights and the safety and security of the civilian population.
MICIVIH's current mandate was renewed on 12 July 1995 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, after a written request was submitted by President Aristide to the UN Secretary-General. The mandate expires on 7 February 1996. The 50th Session of the UN General Assembly will consider the possibility of a further extension of MICIVIH's mandate. Such an extension would permit a continuing contribution to institution building and the strengthening of mechanisms for the long-term protection of human rights in Haiti, the cornerstones of an enduring democracy.
From the MICIVIH website
Haiti Civilian Mission’s Medical Unit Provides Help for Victims.
Between 1993 and 1994 the International Civilian Mission in Haiti’s (MICIVIH) Medical Unit was the only structure in Haiti working to ensure that the victims of human rights violations received medical attention for problems - whether physical or psychological - associated with the abuses they had suffered. This objective was in practice achieved through the creation of a national network of Haitian medical practitioners willing to provide care to those who had suffered human rights violations. The Medical Unit in Haiti also produced official documents certifying that the medical condition of individuals was consistent with their testimony of human rights abuse.
Since the Haiti Civilian Mission's return to the country in October 1994, the MICIVIH Medical Unit in Haiti has worked in collaboration with doctors from the French non-governmental organization Médecins du Monde to provide care and reconstructive surgery to victims of human rights violations. The Medical Unit in Haiti continues to compile detailed documentation on the medical consequences of such human rights violations for victims and their families. During mid-1995 the Medical Unit gave priority to the preparation of medical evidence for submission to the Commission Nationale de Vérité et Justice.
The Medical Unit in Haiti is also undertaking research on the psychological effects on individuals and their families of the repression perpetrated during the de facto regime. An analytical assessment of the research material was completed and published before February 1996. Members of the Medical Unit work with local health professionals and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International towards the creation of a Haitian Community Clinic for Victims of Trauma, through a non-profit organization called M'ap viv (I'm alive).
Civic Education Provided by the International Civilian Mission in Haiti.
MICIVIH has worked closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Port-au-Prince and in the provinces to promote knowledge and awareness of international and domestic human rights law.
MICIVIH observers conduct human rights workshops for NGOs and other interested organizations, as well as attending meetings organized by popular and local organizations at which human rights issues are discussed.
The International Civilian Mission provides posters and other materials, as requested, to those organizing civic education seminars. The Haiti Civilian Mission has also participated in human rights education programs organized by UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations, such as UNICEF and the Martin Luther King Foundation.
MICIVIH will continue to develop programs of human rights education and to respond to requests for support by groups and individuals engaged in civic education.
The Bright Future of the Haiti Civilian Mission: Monitoring Respect for Human Rights in Haiti.
MICIVIH continues to monitor respect for human rights in all regions of the country and to document its findings. The Haiti Civilian Mission aims to contribute as fully as possible to the reinforcement of democratic institutions and in particular monitors the progress and implementation of judicial and penal reform. Technical assistance in both spheres will be provided whenever possible. Legal experts within the Haiti Civilian Mission will provide training for the newly-formed Haitian National Police on codes of conduct and human rights protection.
MICIVIH continues to publish statements setting forth its assessment of political and human rights questions, as part of its commitment to disseminating accurate information and stimulating public debate about democracy and human rights in Haiti. It will in addition produce more detailed reports on a number of phenomena which bear directly on civil and political rights and the safety and security of the civilian population.
MICIVIH's current mandate was renewed on 12 July 1995 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, after a written request was submitted by President Aristide to the UN Secretary-General. The mandate expires on 7 February 1996. The 50th Session of the UN General Assembly will consider the possibility of a further extension of MICIVIH's mandate. Such an extension would permit a continuing contribution to institution building and the strengthening of mechanisms for the long-term protection of human rights in Haiti, the cornerstones of an enduring democracy.
From the MICIVIH website
June 7, 2007
International Civilian Mission: Institution-building, Partnering with the Haiti Commission and Supporting Free Assembly in Haiti.
Carrie and Doug Melvin of Boise, Idaho have devoted their lives to defending human rights in Haiti. The International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH) has made a number of important contributions to advocating human rights in Haiti, from strengthening institutions, to consulting with Haiti government to assisting with elections in Haiti.
Institution-building: Just One of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti Contributions.
The work of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti has increasingly included a focus upon the strengthening of democratic and judicial institutions and the process and implementation of penal reform in Haiti:
The International Civilian Mission and the Commission Nationale de Vérité et Justice Work Together to Stop Human Rights Abuses in Haiti.
The Haiti Commission, a governmental body created by presidential decree in December 1994, and composed of national and international members, is empowered to "establish the truth about the most serious human rights violations committed between 29 September 1991 and 15 October 1994 inside and outside" Haiti:
The Haiti Commission Monitors the Elections in Haiti; Reports Help Protect Voters.
In November 1994 the Organization of American States (OAS) and the UN agreed that MICIVIH's responsibilities during the 1995 congressional and local government elections would include a number of activities broadly defined under the rubric of peace promotion.
MICIVIH made public its own assessment of the human rights aspects of the pre-electoral process in a press release in early May 1995. It stated that while the registration process was initially disrupted by protests and some acts of intimidation, there were few serious incidents of violence.
A further press statement was issued on 14 July following the first round of elections on 25 June. It stated that despite sporadic violence, the elections were relatively free of political violence and there had been few incidents nationwide which resulted in physical injury. The main problems involved threats and intimidation, with some polling stations being ransacked or burned along with ballot papers. Many election officials reported fearing for their safety on polling day. However, threats by rejected candidates to disrupt the elections were not in the main carried out and some candidates called upon their supporters to respect the integrity of the electoral process.
From the MICIVIH website
Institution-building: Just One of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti Contributions.
The work of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti has increasingly included a focus upon the strengthening of democratic and judicial institutions and the process and implementation of penal reform in Haiti:
- The International Civilian Mission has worked in collaboration with the Haitian Government and international agencies such as the UN Development Program (UNDP).
- International Civilian Mission observers have a unique experience of the problems afflicting the justice system at the local level. The mission has conducted in-depth analysis of such problems and has submitted to the government a number of recommendations for judicial reform. MICIVIH legal experts are currently assisting in the development of a curriculum for the newly-created Ecole National de la Magistrature; and working with members of the UNDP in the design of a joint training course for public prosecutors.
- Members of the Civilian Mission have also worked with the UN Crime Prevention Criminal Justice Branch and UNDP to develop and implement a project of penal reform in Haiti which includes the creation of a prison registration system, the establishment of a penal administration system, the training of prison guards, the renovation of certain detention centers and the improvement of conditions of detention.
- The Civilian Mission actively monitors the work of the newly-created Haitian National Police. MICIVIH legal experts are currently acting as consultants in the development of human rights training programs for the new police force, including training on international standards for the use of force.
The International Civilian Mission and the Commission Nationale de Vérité et Justice Work Together to Stop Human Rights Abuses in Haiti.
The Haiti Commission, a governmental body created by presidential decree in December 1994, and composed of national and international members, is empowered to "establish the truth about the most serious human rights violations committed between 29 September 1991 and 15 October 1994 inside and outside" Haiti:
- The Civilian Mission has committed itself to providing technical support to the Haiti Commission throughout its period of operation. During the initial stages of the Commission's life, MICIVIH provided advice on working methods, budgetary matters, technical consultants and in the elaboration of a program of work. Assistance has also included technical expertise in the field of forensic anthropology.
- The most important element of MICIVIH support to the Haiti Commission concerns the transmission of documentary evidence of cases of human rights violations committed between September 1991 and October 1994. By early September 1995 the Commission had requested dossiers relating to many cases of grave human rights violations in Haiti and further requests are expected.
- No such dossier can be submitted to the Commission without the authorization of the victim or other source of the reported violation. In August and September MICIVIH observers visited a number of victims within the Port-au-Prince region in order to obtain this permission. Protection of the confidentiality of testimony provided by victims and witnesses has also required the preparation of special dossiers for presentation to the Haiti Commission.
The Haiti Commission Monitors the Elections in Haiti; Reports Help Protect Voters.
In November 1994 the Organization of American States (OAS) and the UN agreed that MICIVIH's responsibilities during the 1995 congressional and local government elections would include a number of activities broadly defined under the rubric of peace promotion.
- The activities defined for the Haiti Commission included: facilitating freedom of expression and assembly; monitoring acts of intimidation and of violence during the electoral campaign; and monitoring the polling and counting process in Haiti.
- Prior to the elections MICIVIH observers also monitored the technical aspects of candidate and voter registration, visiting registration offices and establishing contact with election officials at various levels. Technical monitoring of the electoral process was facilitated by the arrival of a small group of Organization of American States and MICIVIH electoral teams throughout the electoral period provided the basis for reports submitted, by the OAS Electoral Observation Mission, to the official Conseil Electoral Provisoire.
MICIVIH made public its own assessment of the human rights aspects of the pre-electoral process in a press release in early May 1995. It stated that while the registration process was initially disrupted by protests and some acts of intimidation, there were few serious incidents of violence.
A further press statement was issued on 14 July following the first round of elections on 25 June. It stated that despite sporadic violence, the elections were relatively free of political violence and there had been few incidents nationwide which resulted in physical injury. The main problems involved threats and intimidation, with some polling stations being ransacked or burned along with ballot papers. Many election officials reported fearing for their safety on polling day. However, threats by rejected candidates to disrupt the elections were not in the main carried out and some candidates called upon their supporters to respect the integrity of the electoral process.
From the MICIVIH website
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