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8342nd Security Council Meeting: Situation in Haiti
As the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) prepares for the transition to a non-peacekeeping presence, beginning in October 2019, challenges, including the recent protest against planned fuel price hikes, continue to impede progress made, exposing the fragility of that country’s security and socioeconomic situation and demonstrating the need for strong rule of law legislation, a senior official told the Security Council today.
Presenting the Secretary-General’s report on the work of the Mission (document S/2018/795), Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, highlighted 11 benchmarks and 46 distinct indicators of progress on implementation of the transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence there within the targeted timeframe.
Noting that the rate of police officers per 1,000 citizens has slightly dropped to 1.32 due to resignations and other reasons, she stressed that dedicated intervention is necessary to ensure that the development plan of the Haitian National Police is fully implemented. Armed gangs also continue to pose a threat, she said, adding that progress on several benchmarks hinges on the adoption and promulgation of key rule of law legislation, including the criminal code.
Citing the protests in July against the planned increase of fuel prices, she said the situation on the ground must be monitored very carefully and she called on the authorities to address the root causes of the socioeconomic situation. The Mission, the country team, the Government and other partners will need to redouble efforts to make up for the time lost because of the challenges that emerged from the 6-8 July events, given the time-bound nature of the mandate and the transition process, she said.
Haiti’s representative, however, emphasized that after the July protests in Port-au-Prince — expressions of public frustration that were perfectly understandable given the circumstances — the crisis was quickly overcome. “The nation promptly regained its composure”, and State authority and civil peace have been fully restored, demonstrating the maturity of Haiti’s national institutions, he pointed out. Furthermore, the Government is working to build its long-term stability, including through institution-building and the organization of legislative elections in October 2019.
Citing some progress, he spotlighted a clear drop in Haiti’s violent crime rate, 25 per cent fewer cases in “mob justice”, progress made towards the adoption of a new penal code, increases in the number of women in the national police force and stronger anti-corruption activities. “Social stability is on the right track,” he declared.
Nonetheless, Leona Romeo-Marlin, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, speaking on behalf of the Netherlands, said that the recent outbreak of violence is a reminder that the country is still fragile. While calling on the Haitian National Police to improve its capacity to address conflicts and to build the people’s trust in it, she also commended the growing number of women being recruited and the establishment of a specialized office for sexual violence crimes.
Bolivia’s delegate also highlighted how July’s events revealed the links between a lack of economic development and a lack of stability, as well as the failure of the “structural adjustment recipes” put in place in Haiti by the international community. Fully respecting the country’s sovereignty and its creation of a new and inclusive Government, the international community and donors must provide support to consolidate Haiti’s humanitarian response plan, including the Secretary-General’s plan to combat cholera there, she said.
The representative of the United States — which holds the Security Council Presidency for September — spoke in his national capacity, underlining the importance of strengthening Haiti’s justice system. “No one can be above the law”, he stressed, adding that it is critical corrupt officials — or any others — be held accountable for their actions. The Haitian National Police must remain apolitical, and the authorities — along with the international community — must all protect human rights, he emphasized.
Also speaking today were representatives of France, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Peru, Côte d’Ivoire, United Kingdom, China, Poland, Sweden, Kuwait, Russian Federation and Ethiopia.
The meeting started at 9:50 a.m. and ended at 11:30 a.m.