This week, as part of the "Week of the Child", 18 Teenagers on the 130 currently detainees at Delmas 33, to the Rehabilitation Center for Minors in Conflict with the Law (CERMICOL), were released by "presidential pardon".

It is Sophia Martelly who announced the release of these minors. Deeply moved, the First Lady spoke to young detainees "I am a mother, and it hurts me to see under what conditions you are. I do not think jail is made for a child.

I agree that there is of rehabilitation centers [...] and that's why, that I will bring all I'm able to CERMICOL, to become what it was supposed to be a center to rehabilitate children [...] because the affairs of prison for young children, I do not agree.

The administration of President Martelly would like the rights of everyone, both children and adults are respected. It is in this idea, that we will work with the Social Welfare, the Government Commissioner, the Minister of Justice and with all those who are concerned so that the conditions of youth of Centre CERMICOL improve.

But what I also ask you as a mom, [...] is to learn to make a difference between what is right and what is wrong [...] since you were little, you have something in you that makes you know what is right and wrong [...] I ask all those who are there, and those who are not here today but who are in the same situation as you, to learn to make the difference. What is wrong will not get you anywhere other than where you are today [...] It is what is right, that will make you citizens, whose the country needs [...] the Martelly government Martelly-Lamothe does not want to leave anyone behind [...]

The second reason of my presence is that we celebrate the International Children's Day, and even if you did, something of wrong, I think you need a little time for celebration, because our future is the children.

I came with the Director of Social Welfare, we brought small gifts for you, but I think the biggest gift that you will receive [...] is that some of you, will have the opportunity to leave the CERMICOL... But you must give the guarantee, that you will no longet return in this Center..."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-5850-haiti-social-presidential-pardon-for-18-teenagers.html

SL/ HaitiLibre