The office of Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly announced on 20 December 2022 that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations in response to acts of significant corruption that are fueling the crisis in Haiti.
These sanctions target two high-profile elites in Haiti – former ministers Berto Dorcé and Liszt Quitel, says a press release from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The sanctions impose a dealings prohibition on them, effectively freezing any assets they may hold in Canada. The Ottawa-based government says the individuals are now inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
“Canada has reason to believe these individuals are using their status as high-profile elites in Haiti to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through money laundering and other acts of corruption,” states the Canadian government.
It explains that these gangs and their supporters continue to terrorize vulnerable populations in Haiti with impunity and are precipitating a humanitarian crisis in the country that includes the resurgence of cholera. They are also committing unspeakable violence against affected populations and impeding the delivery of critical services and humanitarian aid.
The sanctions Canada has imposed are intended to put pressure on those responsible for the ongoing violence, including widespread sexual violence, and instability in Haiti. These people must stop providing funds and weapons to criminal gangs in Haiti. Canada condemns the weaponization of sexual violence in Haiti that is devastating the lives of so many across the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada states:
“Canada is increasing its pressure by imposing corruption sanctions against Haitian elites so we can help the people of Haiti emerge from this crisis and restore peace and security in their country. Corruption sanctions not only freeze any assets gang members and their supporters may hold in Canada, but they also prevent them from coming into our country. Canada calls on the international community to follow our lead and impose sanctions against gangs and their supporters.”
With the action, Canada has now sanctioned 13 political and economic elites in Haiti over allegations they have enabled criminal gangs to wreak havoc.
Dominican ambassador to the United Nations, Jose Blanco said that Canada and the Dominican Republic will participate in the United Nations Security Council meeting on Wednesday, 21 December 2022 where the multidimensional crisis in Haiti will be addressed.
Read more:
Canada Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Haiti Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
DR1 News
21 December 2022