Wilhems Edouard the CEO of national press, has presented yesterday Tuesday, the first volume of two centuries of Haitian legislation in digital format [10 DVDs] Wilhems Edward said that more than 10.045 issues of the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" and 286.000 images were digitized by 14 technicians in order to make available the texts of Haitian law. Stressing that "this is the first time that an element as important of the documentary inheritance of the country, is completely put safe from natural disasters including earthquakes"

The first volume contains the texts that were published from 1904 to 2004. It is, says Mr. Edouard of an electronic database that can be exploited by all those interested in human rights but also by justiciable. This database allows to search by date or subject and makes available all legal texts (laws) which were published in "Le Moniteur" since the country's independence.

Mr. Edouard Wilhems has announced that in the coming days, will be released the 2nd volume of two centuries of Haitian legislation covering the 19th century, as a bonus, the texts published after 2004.

This project was conducted with the support from the Canadian Agency for International Development (CIDA), the European Union and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Antonio Cabral, the technical coordinator at the OIF of the programme of support to Haitian justice, welcomed the success of the project "The laws are often ignored by some lawyers." He encourages among others: the historians and lawyers, to use this new tool, whose use is widespread in several countries as: USA, France and Canada. Adding that "... this database is likely to make more effective the institutions including the judiciary."

Wilfrid Bertrand, Director of the National Archives, also welcomed the initiative of the national press of Haiti. He also acknowledges that some lawyers ignore many legal texts and "this instrument, will help improve the quality of their work."

S/ HaitiLibre