Sezi kou berejèn
Welcome to the latest edition of Woy Magazine’s biweekly newsletter, providing you with must-know news and commentary on Haiti and our Diaspora.
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Too little too late
After weeks of massive worker protests, the office of de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced an increase of the minimum wage to 685 Haitian Gourdes a day (approximately $6.50 USD) from 500 HTG. This is less than half of the 1,500 HTG unions are calling for.
Workers have continued to mobilize despite this announcement, to push for their demand for a minimum wage that is proportionate to inflation, in accordance with the Haitian Labor Code which requires an increase in wages of at least 10% of the inflation rate. The last of such increases to wages dates back to November of 2019, where estimates of the total rate of inflation is currently around 24%.
Les ouvrières et ouvriers continueront à se mobiliser jusqu’à ce qu’ils obtiennent satisfaction de leurs revendications, qui comprennent également des avantages sociaux », avait prévenu Dominique Saint-Éloi, coordonnateur général de la Centrale nationale des ouvriers haïtiens (Cnoha). (Source: AlterPresse)
Unfortunately, these peaceful demonstrations continue to be met with an aggressive response by the Haitian National Police (PNH). At the first demonstration since the announcement (held on February 23rd), police were seen systematically dispersing crowds using tear gas. There are also several reports of police in uniform appearing to be targeting journalists specifically, leaving at least one journalist dead and several wounded. Maxihen Lazzar was on the scene when he was struck by projectile fired by police and was pronounced dead later that day.
« La police est méchante avec les journalistes », analyse Jephté Bazil, qui a vu un collègue touché au pied « gigoter pour aller s’appuyer contre un mur ». Il dit avoir assisté une scène où la police a lancé du gaz lacrymogène sur trois journalistes, ce 23 février. Un des policiers a déclaré, selon Bazil, que ce sont les « journalistes qui sont responsables si les manifestants sont encore dans les rues, puisqu’ils leur tendent leur micro. » (Source: AyiboPost)
Judge on the run
Two weeks ago, the press reported on a voice note identified as being the voice of Garry Orélien, the judge who previously presided over the investigation into Jovenel Moise's assassination, and was later relieved of his duties. The recording revealed claims alleging that de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry is a prime suspect in the conspiracy to kill Moise.
Orélien is also under investigation for corruption related to his handling of the case. Recent developments reveal that he may have fled the country, after not responding to two summons from the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), according to judicial sources.
Deux plaintes formelles sont déposées contre le magistrat par un entrepreneur et un ancien secrétaire d’Etat pour ses agissements dans le cadre de l’enquête. La haute autorité du pouvoir judiciaire s’appuie aussi sur une dénonciation du Réseau national de défense des droits humains, communiquée le 18 janvier 2022.
Les numéros locaux du juge Garry Orélien n’étaient pas joignables avant la publication de cet article. Il n’est pas clair si son départ récent du pays est permanent. (Source: AyiboPost)
In an investigation published on February 6th, schemes involving Orelien’s clerk, Élysée Cadet, were also brought to light. The evidence points to Cadet’s obtaining a car from one of the people implicated in the investigation into Moïse’s death. The exchanges via WhatsApp and an audio recording have not been refuted by the clerk, however he does claim to have acted with Judge Orélien's consent, according to a complaint filed by the RNDDH with the CSPJ. With that, Orélien's absence is said not to prevent the investigation into his conduct from moving forward. However, with no judge at its helm, the investigation into Jovenel’s assassination has come to a stand still.
Abinader goes full Trump
On Sunday February 20th, the Dominican Republic held an inauguration ceremony to launch the building of a wall along its border with Haiti, as part of recent efforts to curb migration from Haiti. At the ceremony, Dominican President Luis Abinader was seen pushing a button triggering the pouring of concrete into the foundations of said wall, which will cover almost half of the 244 mile border shared with Haiti. Their plan will also involve the construction of 41 access gates for patrolling and 70 watchtowers.
This comes after months of ramped up anti-Haitian crackdowns, which has included increased deportations of Haitians, barring Haitians from using Dominican public hospitals, and the targeting of pregnant Haitian women. In a speech, Abinader claimed that these efforts would be beneficial for both nations by helping to reduce the smuggling of commercial goods and weapons, and by helping to fight organized crime.
Ayiti pèdi yon zanmi
Humanitarian, global health champion, and co-founder of Partners in Health (PIH)/Zanmi Lasante, Paul Farmer passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 21st to the great chagrin of many here in Haiti and many more around the world. An outpouring of sympathies ensued, with a great deal of appreciation for his efforts in improving access to health services. In the early 2000s, Farmer helped to bring lifesaving HIV drugs to Haiti, he has started hospitals in Rwanda and Haiti, and helped to reshape the global narrative on disparities in health, among many more achievements.
We would like to thank him for his commitment to helping the less fortunate and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife and three children. To hear Paul discuss the challenges of COVID 19 for the world, his confidence in the capacity of Haitian health professionals throughout the world and, his dreams about what the public hospital in Mirebalais could lead to, listen to this talk (in Kreyòl) moderated by economist and journalist Kesner Pharel.
Duolingo says sak pase!
As a publication, we intentionally keep quotes from the articles we cite in the original Kreyòl or French, because we hope this newsletter can help to inform but also help some of our friends out with keeping their language skills sharp. Woy Magazine also publishes all content in both Kreyòl and English, because we have made a commitment to producing quality content in our mother tongue, a language that has long been maligned.
This is why we are always excited to discover new Haitian Creole learning resources! Duolingo, a popular language learning application (with free options) recently announced its new Haitian Creole course. Check it out and then go on woymagazine.com to get some reading practice in!
A tribute to Alcibiade
In a new piece for Woy Magazine, Haitian actor and theatre director, Eliezer Guerisme, pays homage to Alcibiade, the late trailblazing Haitian comedian and actor who passed away a few weeks ago. In the piece, Guerisme reflects on the Haitian comedic legacy, which seems to be finding new life through social media but has been markedly absent in traditional media spaces.
Many young people can recall waking up on Sundays to their parents listening to Alcibiade. My own father made a ritual of sitting right in front of his radio to listen to either a new episode of Détente Théâtrale or a rerun on 94.5 FM. Along with many folks in our neighborhood called Fort Mercredi, it was a weekly rendez-vous, and my father would rush home to be there every Sunday after church.
On many Facebook posts, you can read moving testimonies about Alcibiade. Eberline Nicolas, a journalist for Loop Haïti, shared the following words, “When I was a child, every Sunday, this man’s voice let me know food was ready. I enjoyed listening to him because I loved the food that was made on Sundays. Safe travels Biade.” I recall similarly allowing Alcibiade’s sitcom to help me pass the time while waiting for food to be served on Sundays. It is as if entertainment is able to suppress all dire needs we might have. Alcibiade’s sitcoms were not only able to make us laugh, they were also able to make us forget our urgent needs, even our impatient bellies awaiting a delicious Sunday meal. (Source: Woy Magazine)