Strengthening democratic institutions in Haiti

A one-week seminar in Norway for politicians from Haiti comes to an end today. The seminar was arranged jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Church Aid. The Haitian representatives have agreed on what they have called the Svolvær Declaration, which includes several concrete measures designed to strengthen democratic institutions and improve the political culture in the country.

A joint body for the political parties is to be established which will strengthen the position of the democratic parties by developing models for financing political parties, providing frameworks for information activities, drawing up election legislation and setting up an electoral council. The parties have agreed that the body will be launched in Port-au-Prince on 15 September. State Secretary Vidar Helgesen will represent Norway at the ceremony.

The parties have also agreed to develop a Governance Pact for Haiti, with a view to defining the role of the government and the opposition, regardless of who wins the election. The opposition is to accept the legitimacy of the government, and at the same time be accepted as part of political life.

The participants have also agreed to set up more voter registration offices so that as many people as possible can take part in the election.

“It is very positive that the seminar has produced such concrete results,” said Vidar Helgesen, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is pleased that the parties have committed themselves to pursuing their co-operation and dialogue, and thus continuing the process towards democracy. “The Svolvær Declaration shows that there is agreement on important tools for ensuring a peaceful election, and that there is a general will to hold a democratic election and to establish a stable, democratic government after the election,” Mr Helgesen continued.

The agreement is the result of several years of effort by Norway to promote an internal dialogue in Haiti and builds on the election pact that was signed on 14 June this year in Port-au-Prince.