The United States is currently reassessing its assistance to the Haitian 

justice system and has to decide whether to continue withholding most of 

this assistance or provide additional assistance. We believe that, if the 

United States decides to provide any further assistance to the Haitian 

justice system, it is essential through conditions placed on the 

implementation of this assistance that the Haitian government take the 

necessary actions to strengthen the justice system, such as reforming 

justice institutions, assuming ownership of the improvements made 

possible by the assistance, and funding its justice system adequately.

Recommendation for 

If the United States decides to renew its assistance to the Haitian justice 

Executive Action

system, we recommend that the Secretary of State place specific, 

performance related conditions on the implementation of this assistance to 

encourage the Haitian government to strengthen its justice institutions. 

Such assistance with conditions will encourage the Haitian government to 

implement reforms and other measures aimed at establishing strong and 

effective police and judicial institutions, adopting and institutionalizing the 

progress that U.S. programs help achieve, and providing adequate funding 

to its police and judicial institutions. These conditions should incorporate 

specific goals, performance measures, and time frames.

Agency Comments

We obtained written comments on a draft of this report from the 

Department of State (see app. IV) and USAID (see app. V). The Department 

of State and USAID agreed with the report, and the Department concurred 

with the report's recommendation. We also received oral comments on this 

draft from our Liaison at the Department of Justice, who stated that the 

Department agreed with the report.

In its comments, the Department of State confirmed many of the points 

made in the report. It noted that Haiti has made some significant strides 

since 1994, including the creation of Haiti's first civilian police force. The 

Department also noted that part of the Haitian police's problem rests with 

the lack of judicial reform due to the lack of a functioning parliament since 

1997. In addition, State noted that the government of Haiti, with one tenth 

the average gross domestic product of its Latin American and Caribbean 

neighbors, has many demands on its scant resources. 

In its comments, USAID stated that the report presents an objective 

assessment of the complex problems facing the Haitian judicial system and 

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