Rethinking National Identification in Haiti: An Obsolete System That Hinders Our Progress

In Haiti, the citizen identification process is not only archaic but also profoundly inefficient. At a time when many countries are simplifying access to legal identity, our system still relies on a cumbersome, costly, and unfairly complex mechanism. It's time to rethink this model.

Today, obtaining an identity document in Haiti means entering a true administrative labyrinth. It all begins with the birth certificate issued by the civil registrar. But this certificate alone is not enough. One must then request an extract of this certificate, then have the extract legalized by the public prosecutor's office, the Ministry of Justice, and sometimes even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This process is not only absurd; it is profoundly inefficient and time-consuming.

This system wastes time and hinders our development. It penalizes citizens, especially those in rural areas, who must travel long distances and spend money they don't have, simply to prove their existence. It also opens the door to corruption and social exclusion.

In an era dominated by technology and the simplification of administrative procedures, Haiti must modernize its identification system. It is unacceptable for a person to have to go through so many steps to obtain a document that should be directly, quickly, and securely accessible to them.

At OIMI, we believe it is urgent to establish a centralized digital system where every citizen can be registered from birth, and where their data is protected, accessible, and recognized without the need for unnecessary repetitions. This will not only allow for better identification of our fellow citizens but also provide them with faster access to their civic, social, and economic rights.

Identification is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right. And when this right becomes a privilege reserved for those who can navigate administrative complexities, democracy itself is threatened.

Let's rethink, innovate, simplify. For a more just, more inclusive Haiti, finally looking towards the future.

By Me. Wilgens Milius

President of the Organization for Identification and Migration ( OIMI )