Haitian opposition senators ransack meeting room

Four opposition senators trashed their meeting room in Port-au-Prince early Thursday to prevent, for a third time, the ratification of Prime Minister Jean-Michel Lapin’s agenda, further crippling the fledgling government.

The lawmakers’ four large red velvet-tufted chairs were strewn across the parliament’s yard, partially broken, along with pieces of sound system equipment. Light but persistent rain further contributed to the damage.

Only a handful of parliament staff members were present. They took photographs of the damage, including selfies in front of the heavy desks tipped over in the meeting room.

Sitting calmly just outside the room and the pile of furniture, opposition senators justified their move.

“So many people are killed in the streets and you’re saying a broken chair is what hurts them? How many police officers are killed?” asked Senator Antonio Cheramy, referring to growing insecurity in the country.

Since the start of the year, more than 100 civilians and 20 police officers have been killed — in gun violence or knife attacks — according to a count kept by human rights groups worried about growing areas under armed gangs’ control.

Lawmakers opposed to President Jovenel Moise are angry that eight ministers from the old administration are keeping their posts without certification that they managed public funds well.

Senator Ricard Pierre, who has claimed responsibility for the vandalism, said “the crisis will not be resolved by violating the constitution, by putting in place renegade ministers.”

On two occasions earlier this month, the opposition lawmakers had prevented the government from presenting the prime minister’s agenda by walking around the meeting room while shouting into megaphones.

On Thursday, dozens of protesters took to the streets in solidarity with the opposition lawmakers.