It is with great sadness that the Martin Ennals Foundation learned of the death of Mario Joseph, a renowned human rights defender and lawyer from Haiti. In 2013, he was recognised by the Jury of the Martin Ennals Award – composed by ten of the leading human rights organisations in the world – for his work on some of the most historic cases in Haiti, including the Raboteau Massacre trial or against the former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier.

He has led the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) in Port-au-Prince since 1996, as one of its founding members. Despite the threats, the political pressures and the personal attacks, Mario Jospeh has dedicated his life to victims of human rights violations and to bringing the perpetrators of gross human rights violations to justice, regardless of their status and the risks incurred for himself.

We hail his activism, courage and vision for a victim-centered justice at a time when rampant impunity continues to ravage Haiti. His legacy remains and must be carried on for the future of the country and for all people in Haiti.

We send our most sincere condolences to his family, his colleagues at the BAI, and to all those who have been inspired by his fight.

The Martin Ennals Foundation

2 April 2025