Potomitan - Kòmantè sou ‘demokrasi’ / Comments on ‘democracy’
Kòmantè sou ‘demokrasi’ / Comments on ‘democracy’
[Original text by: Jean-Michel Voltaire, Esq.
Translation to Haitian Creole: E. W. Védrine]
Sous | Source: “Haitian Politics” (HP on-line forum, Haitianpolitics@yahoogroups.com)
30 janvye 2006 | January 30, 2006
Scène de rue, Etienne CHAVANNES. © Espaceloas. [... Li lè li tan elit politik ayisyen an respekte VOLONTE PÈP LA. Lè lidè politik ak lidè biznis yo ap pale de demokrasi, se kòmsi y ap pale de yon gouvènman elit, pou elit, e ki soti nan elit. Sa pa demokrasi. Se tirani. Nan yon demokrasi, lidè pran pouvwa yo dirèkteman nan PÈP LA. Se yo ki reprezante pèp la e yo la pou fè volonte pèp la. Pèp la kapab retire yo sou pouvwa. Donk si yon moun pa respekte volonte pèp la oubyen panse pèp la twò sòt pou pran pwòp desizyon l, yo p ap pale de demokrasi.
Mwen di sa deja, e m ap redi l. Elit ayisyen an se yon minorite li ye e li dwe konprann sa. Donk, pou yo konprann prezidans lan, fòk yo konvenk pèp la ke li ka fè yo konfyans. Yo pa ka jis deklare ke yo gen dwa dirije jis akoz byen yo oubyen estati (sosyal) yo. Bagay sa yo FINI.
Men, moun dwe respekte dwa elit yo. Elit yo pa dwe santi yo menase nan pwòp peyi yo epi yo pa dwe arase yo. Yo dwe respekte dwa popriyetè yo genyen. Yo se Ayisyen e yo dwe fè pati de solisyon an. Se rezon sa a nou bezwen ranfòse enstitisyon ayisyen yo, patikilyèman enstitisyon kouwè lajistis, lapolis dekwa pou kapab mete lalwa an(n) aplikasyon. Pesonn, enkli prezidan d Ayiti, pa sou tèt lalwa. Si prezidan an komèt yon krim, li dwe fè fas ak lajistis tankou nenpòt lòt sitwayen òdinè. Se sa nou dwe revandike olye nou pran zam youn kont lòt.
Original text (in English)
“... It's time that Haitian-political elites respect the WILL OF THE PEOPLE. When the political and business leaders talk about democracy, it appears that they are talking about a government of the elites, for the elites, and by the elites. That's not democracy. That's tyranny. In a democracy, the leaders derive their power directly from the PEOPLE. They are the representatives of the people and are subject to the will of the people. They are removable from office by the people. So, if someone will not respect the will of the people or think the people are too stupid to make their own decision, we are not talking about democracy.h I have said it before, and will say it again. The Haitian-elites are a minority and must understand that. So, in order for them to gain the presidency, they have to convince the people that they are worthy of their confidence. They cannot claim that they are entitled to lead just because of their wealth or status. Those days are OVER.
However, the rights of the Haitian-elites must be respected. They should not feel threatened in their own country and should not be harassed. Their property rights must be respected. They are Haitians and must be part of the solution. That's the reason we need to strengthen Haiti's institutions, particularly the judiciary and the police, to equitably enforce the laws. No one, including the President of Haiti, is above the law. If the President commits a crime, he must face justice like any other ordinary citizen. That's what we should advocate, instead of taking arms against one another.”]