Fils-Aimé promises to modernize justice in Haiti

The Haitian government announced on Tuesday, November 3, a program to train some of the country's magistrates and investigating police officers before new criminal and procedural codes take effect, scheduled for January 1, 2027. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, six sessions are planned through December 11, with a target of training 40% of trial-court magistrates and 40% of investigating police officers.

The program aims to strengthen safeguards on pretrial detention and the role of a judge overseeing detainees' rights. However, it remains to be determined how to ensure the new rules are applied uniformly when only 40% of each targeted group will be trained.

The judicial crisis continues, with nearly 80% of those in prison awaiting trial since January 2026. The government must also contend with the extended electoral timetable, with the first round postponed to July 18, 2027.

The political transition also raises constitutional challenges. Since the Transitional Presidential Council's mandate ended in February 2026, the government has been exercising executive power under Article 149 of the Constitution. That arrangement remains disputed and calls for thorough legal debate.

Finally, two specialized judicial hubs were inaugurated in May 2026 to handle serious crimes and financial offenses. How effective they are will depend on transparency in the tracking of cases and on the resources given to investigators.