Monday, after more than 6 month of delay, divisions, confrontation and controversy, the 86 articles of the priority law on transnational fraud (money laundering and terrorist financing), at the agenda of this parliamentary session, ratified in Senate on February 28, 2013, was finally passed by the Lower House in the wake of the electoral law just before deputies go on holiday...

The version of the legislation passed that differ in part from those submitted by the Executive, will now be sent to the President for publication in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur". However, the President may decide to challenge some changes if necessary.

Recall that in last March the Professional Association of Lawyers Activists of Haiti (OPAMH) had strongly suggested of changes designed to provide some clarifications among others on the definition of "terrorism".

In addition, certain items such as Article 38 was challenged due to the questioning of the principle of professional secrecy, the article stated "for the purpose of obtaining evidence of money laundering or terrorist financing," under this Act, the investigating judge may during an investigation, order for a fixed term the monitoring of bank accounts [...] It may also order the access to systems, networks and servers, audio or video recording or photography of acts and actions or conversations ; the interception and seizure of mail [...]" or also this other article that allowed the extradition of a person convicted of money laundering...

After the passage of this law by both House, and its promulgation, Haiti is now ready to receive investigators International Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which must carry out verification on the whole territory and make their recommendations.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8966-haiti-politic-new-attempt-to-ratify-the-law-on-transnational-fraud.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8882-haiti-politic-the-lower-house-blocks-again-the-vote-on-the-law-on-transnational-fraud.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8941-haiti-politic-priority-bills-to-the-legislative-agenda.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8835-haiti-politic-law-punishing-transnational-fraud-not-ratified-by-lower-house.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8791-haiti-economy-d-1-before-the-end-of-the-moratorium-the-country-sanctioned-soon.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8226-haiti-justice-a-law-that-worries.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8163-haiti-economy-haiti-risk-international-economic-sanctions.html

S/ HaitiLibre