Other provisions of the Constitution designed to protect individual rights include the limitations and safeguards imposed on the government with respect to declaration of a state of siege and separation of the army and the police. A state of siege may only be declared in the event of civil war or foreign invasion. Accordingly, it cannot be declared to silence dissension, demonstrations or other disturbances. A state of siege must be declared by the President, with the approval of the Prime Minister and the entire Cabinet, and must include an immediate convening of the National Assembly to rule on the measure. The Constitution provides that no other armed corps besides the army and the police may exist in the country.
Military service is compulsory for all Haitian citizens who have attained eighteen years of age.
Haiti is a member of the Organization of American States and of the United Nations, the respective Charters of which establish respect for human rights. Article 276-2 of the Haitian Constitution stipulates that once treaties are ratified by Haiti they become part of the legislation of the country. This provision is extremely important since the effect of it is that the American Convention on Human Rights is part of Haitian law, Haiti having ratified the Convention. The American Convention is the only general instrument on human rights to which Haiti is a party.