When the Anti-Corruption Fight Clashes with Accusations: Me Jean-Henry Céant's Letter Revives Debate on the ULCC

The fight against corruption in Haiti, a vital issue for the country's future, is experiencing a new episode of controversy. In an open letter dated September 24, 2025, addressed to the President of the Port-au-Prince Bar Association, Me Jean-Henry Céant, a notary and member of the Bar, vehemently denounces the decision of the Bar Council to honor Me Jacques Hans Joseph, Director General of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC).

This distinction, presented as recognition for “his contribution to upholding the values of the legal profession,” is described by Céant as a “misstep” tainted by “hypocrisy” and “self-serving maneuvers.”

When the Award Divides

On September 17, the Port-au-Prince Bar Association presented an honorary plaque to Me Jacques Hans Joseph, commending his professional commitment and his contribution to defending ethics. But for Me Céant, this recognition amounts to “celebrating a blackmailer.”

In his letter, the former Prime Minister does not hesitate to accuse the head of the ULCC of using his power to blackmail and manipulate corruption cases. He even claims to have been personally subjected to reprisals after refusing solicitations he describes as suspicious.

Me Céant recalls that in August 2021, he had already sent a public complaint to the Bar Council, denouncing the ULCC's methods and its director's conduct. At the time, no action was taken. “Neither the Bar Council nor the person concerned deemed it useful to respond or to sue me for defamation,” he writes, believing that the Bar preferred “complacency” over substantive debate.

Created to investigate corruption cases and protect public finances, the ULCC is now at the center of a paradox. On one hand, it multiplies public initiatives against corruption: This Friday, September 5, Hans Joseph, via the ULCC, organized a fair called “I Denounce,” inviting young people to point fingers at the corrupt and commit to transparency.

For many observers and anti-corruption activists, the ULCC director embodies a figure of rigor and courage. His supporters praise his sensitive investigations, public stances, and ability to challenge powerful interests.

But on the other hand, the institution is regularly accused of acting excessively, selecting its cases based on political considerations, and even making arrests outside the strict frameworks of public authority.

In his letter, Me Céant denounces “cases woven with blackmail,” “scandalous” reports, and instrumentalized justice. He criticizes the Bar for never having organized a debate on “the limits and powers of the ULCC,” while the population remains eager for clear information on the institution's exact role.

Beyond personal accusations, this controversy illustrates a deeper tension in Haitian society: how to reconcile the necessity of an anti-corruption fight with respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law?