In a significant humanitarian gesture during the 2025 holiday season, Haitian authorities granted freedom to 23 individuals who had been held in prolonged pretrial detention for minor offenses. The releases occurred on December 24th following an extensive case review process conducted by a high-level government delegation.
The delegation included Justice Minister Patrick Pélissier, Women’s Rights Minister Pedrica Saint Jean, Government Commissioner Fritz Paterson Dorval, and Court Dean Bernard Saint-Vil. Their visit to the Center for the Re-education of Minors in Conflict with the Law (CERMICOL) spanned several hours and involved meticulous examination of detention files.
Those released included vulnerable populations specifically identified for clemency: five women, one minor girl, thirteen minor boys, and four men. All had been incarcerated for several years despite facing only minor charges. Justice Minister Pélissier emphasized that the government carefully excluded anyone accused of serious crimes including rape, violent offenses, or kidnapping from this holiday pardon initiative.
The action was implemented in strict accordance with Haitian legal provisions, with officials noting they considered the complex legal, social, and human circumstances of each individual case. The releases represent both a compassionate holiday gesture and a practical step toward addressing Haiti’s chronic issue of prolonged pretrial detention, particularly affecting women and juveniles in the judicial system.