WASHINGTON, – The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday encouraged the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to continue its active engagement with Haiti to try and resolve the ongoing situation there.
The Security Council, which is being presided over by the United States, said in a statement that it “recognizes the important role of neighboring countries and regional organizations such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of American States (OAS) and, underlining the importance of harmonized, coordinated and strengthened efforts, encourages them to continue their active engagement on Haiti”.
Last month, the Security Council received a report from the Secretary-General and also held a briefing on Tuesday with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
In its statement on Monday, the Security Council expressed its deep concern regarding the protracted political, constitutional, humanitarian, and security crises in Haiti.
It stressed that the democratic will of the Haitian people must be respected, and underscored the need to address essential security, transparency, and logistical considerations in connection with upcoming electoral processes.
“The Security Council reiterates the urgent need to hold free, fair, transparent, and credible legislative elections that have been overdue since October 2019. The Security Council also urges that all preparations be made for free, fair, transparent, and credible presidential elections in 2021,” it said, further urging all political stakeholders to set aside their differences in the interest of the people of Haiti, to engage constructively to enable the organization of upcoming elections and to ensure elections take place in a peaceful environment.
The Security Council, which is charged with ensuring international peace and security, highlighted the importance of an independent judiciary and of the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and the inclusion of all Haitians, including youth, persons with disabilities, and civil society in Haiti’s political processes.
It also underscored the need to strengthen the rule of law, and urged the government of Haiti to step up its efforts against corruption and to ensure accountability and transparency in connection with these efforts.
“The Security Council emphasizes the need for an immediate and coordinated response by Haitian authorities to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, including gang-related criminal activities, increases in kidnappings, homicides, and rape,” it added.
“The Security Council calls for the provision of adequate resources to the Haitian National Police, for the adoption of a sustainable long-term strategy to address the root causes of violence and for concrete measures to address ongoing violence.”
Noting, with concern, reported violations and abuses of international human rights, including those involving the alleged use of deadly force against protesters, as well as reported arbitrary arrests and detentions, the Council called on the Haitian National Police Inspector General to conduct a thorough investigation of these alleged incidents.
“The Security Council stresses the urgency of accountability for human rights violations and abuses and calls on the government of Haiti to take immediate action to end impunity for those responsible, particularly noting the emblematic cases outlined in the most recent report from the Secretary-General,” it said, identifying the assassination of the president of the Port-au-Prince Bar Association, M. Dorval, in 2020 among the incidents.
“The Security Council also urges the government of Haiti to end the practice of prolonged pre-trial detention.”
Growing food insecurity and malnutrition that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic were also identified as areas of concern.
The Security Council said there was a need for increased support and attention to the humanitarian situation and development needs in Haiti, as well as efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
