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OAS’ RAMDIN URGES STRUCTURED STRATEGY FOR
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-HAITI COOPERATION

Albert R. Ramdin, the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Assistant Secretary General, has urged parliamentarians from the Dominican Republic and Haiti to establish structural mechanisms to foster friendly relations, and demonstrate the fundamentals of peaceful coexistence. He suggested they pursue concrete actions plans to strengthen the social and economic development of both countries, an endeavor the hemispheric organization stands ready to support.

He was speaking in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Thursday at the opening of the 30th Annual Forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) Strengthening Democratic Institutions, Accountability, and the Rule of Law.

“Haiti and the Dominican Republic, through their elected representatives, have a historic opportunity, through the facilitatory role of the PGA, to create meaningful dialogue mechanisms to achieve these objectives,” the Assistant Secretary General stressed.

Hosted by the Congress of the Dominican Republic, the PGA Forum considered among other broad topics “Mainstreaming the Rule of Law, Justice and the Fight against Impunity in International Relations and Cooperation: the role of Parliamentarians.” The international group of parliamentarians, legislators, policy makers, diplomats and civil society representatives discussed the rule of law and justice mechanisms in crisis, conflict and post-conflict situations; international cooperation to support state-building; prevent massive migration through state-building; accountability: shifting from sanctions against states to individual responsibility; and enhancing international cooperation among intelligence and security services, law enforcement agencies and other national and international bodies.

The OAS Assistant Secretary General addressed the inaugural session alongside Dominican Republic Senator Cristina Lizardo, who chairs the PGA National Group in her country; France’s State for Human Rights Rama Yade; Dominican Republic Secretary of State César Pina Toribio; PGA President Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw of Nigeria; Argentine Senator María Cristina Perceval; and President of the Dominican Senate Reinaldo Pared Pérez. Ramdin later participated on a panel that discussed “Mainstreaming the Rule of Law, Justice and the Fight against Impunity in International Relations and Cooperation: the Role of Parliamentarians.”

President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic and former New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon were presented with the “Defender of the Democracy Award,” against the backdrop of the PGA Forum of Parliamentarians. Assistant Secretary General Ramdin hailed the two gentlemen as “excellent examples of the defenders of democracy and good governance,” who continue to inspire and keep the light of hope burning for millions living in poverty, discrimination or exclusion from society and the economy.

In his opening remarks, Ramdin said border management, trade, migration, human rights, and natural resources, among other issues, are important for advancing the Haiti-Dominican relationship and strengthening their social, economic, and political environments in an increasingly competitive global market. He explained that cross-border engagement requires a coordinated strategy, plan of action, and technical assistance, and urged the two countries to reactivate as soon as possible a joint commission that had been established to explore solutions to issues like migration and trade.

Ramdin also asserted that transforming conflict involves more than problem-solving or crisis management. Rather, to secure and maintain peace, the root causes of conflict must be addressed to change how actors or parties perceive, relate and interact with each other, he added. Stakeholders must take ownership of the values embedded in the objectives of civic education, solidarity, and tolerance, democracy and human rights, according to the OAS official.

As well, he said state-building and peace-building should be viewed as parallel processes that must support democratic consolidation. But he also underscored the centrality of strong institutional capacity, accountability, representation, and a broadening of political participation from all sectors of society. “Peace building efforts require a long-term commitment; peace building must be holistic and must adopt an integral approach that also includes security and socio-economic development,” Ramdin stated. It calls for combining the peace agenda with a strong social and economic development focus including the fight against poverty.

“Additionally, educating for democracy and peace should be an intrinsic part of curricula if our Hemisphere is to promote better understanding and communication between communities,” he added. As well, Ambassador Ramdin noted how the transition to normal security conditions, with an adequate police force and a functioning judiciary is necessary for enforcement of the rule of law. “There is no doubt that strengthening the rule of law, accountability and social justice are fundamental building blocks of peace,” he remarked, stressing the importance of building internal capacity so countries can rebuild and reconcile their physical, social and political infrastructure.

The Assistant Secretary General commended Parliamentarians for Global Action for its commitment to strengthening democracy, promoting transparency and accountability, and for applying and enforcing the rule of law—pursuits that “coincide with the goals of the Organization of American States to create within the democratic framework good governance, peace and prosperity.”

Reference: E-419/08