NEWS RELEASE

The governing Bureau of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, presided by Francis Drouin, MP, calls for a return to democracy and a lasting solution to the political crisis in Haiti

Francis Drouin, MP and president of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), has commented on the deteriorating security situation in Haiti in the context of United Nations reports of sexual violence, forced recruitment of children, and human trafficking by armed groups.

In an APF communiqué, Mr. Drouin strongly condemned the resurgence of violence throughout the country at a time when the Haitian population is facing grave humanitarian and health crises. The French-language communiqué is available here.

“The international community must quickly create the security and judicial conditions necessary for a return to constitutional order," Mr. Drouin stated. “The APF is ready to assist in the restoration of parliamentary institutions.”

The expiry of the mandate of the last remaining Senators in the country has prompted the APF governing Bureau, presided by Mr. Drouin, to enact the de facto suspension of the Haitian Branch on January 31. In addition, at the initiative of Ontario MPP Stéphane Sarrazin, Chargé de mission of the Americas Region of the APF, the Bureau unanimously adopted a Declaration on the political situation in Haiti (available in French only) calling for a prompt and lasting end to the crisis and a return to democracy in the country.

"It is alarming to note that there are no elected parliamentarians in office in Haiti since January 2023 and that no legitimate elections have been held since 2016. It is for this reason that the Canadian Section joins the APF Bureau in reiterating its support for the Haitian people and the Haitian diaspora in Canada," said Mr. Drouin.

In addition to his mandate as APF president, Mr. Drouin serves as Chair of the APF’s Canadian Branch.

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For more information, please contact:

Trevor Stewart
francis.drouin@parl.gc.ca
(613) 992-0490

Julie Pelletier
Association Secretary
CAPF@parl.gc.ca
(613) 995-9560