Speakers in Security Council Urge Fast Deployment of Support Mission, Renewed Sanctions to Combat Worsening Gang Violence in Haiti
National Dialogue Key to Holding Inclusive, Credible Elections, Restoring Democracy, Special Representative Says
Speakers in the Security Council today called for the swift deployment and integration of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, the enforcement of renewed sanctions, and broad political dialogue, all as a means to provide the conditions for elections and to combat the situation of shocking and spiralling gang violence in the country.
“The security situation on the ground continues to deteriorate as growing gang violence plunges the lives of the people of Haiti into disarray and major crimes are rising sharply to new record highs,” María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), said in her briefing to the 15-nation organ. Gangs carry out killings and sexual violence, including collective rape and mutilation every day and there is no support for victims or appropriate justice. Adding to the complexity are vigilante groups, she said, giving the example of BINUH registering the so-called Bwa Kale vigilante movement between 24 April and 30 September across all of Haiti’s 10 departments for lynching at least 395 alleged gang members.
Ms. Salvador said that she is engaging with political stakeholders to encourage a national dialogue as a path to credible and inclusive elections, and in turn the restoration of democratic institutions and the rule of law. However, differences between them persist, she noted. She hoped that the deployment of the non-UN Mission — that the Council authorized this month through resolution 2966 (2023) — to support the Haitian National Police will improve security conditions to a level conducive for polls and stated that further elements such as the adequate implementation of justice will be needed.
Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), observed that gangs have seized control of some areas and key infrastructure in Haiti, and are perpetuating horrific violence, enabled by sophisticated firearms brought into the country illegally. She identified four major sea and land routes for the illicit flows of firearms and ammunition, coming primarily from the United States. “Through these routes, traffickers are taking advantage of the Haitian security sector’s limited capacities, equipment and infrastructure for border and maritime control and surveillance,” she said. She underscored the need to halt the flow of arms and establish a robust regulatory framework for firearms. She noted that violence has displaced almost 200,000 people, insecurity is expanding from the capital Port-au-Prince to other departments and that Haiti remains a transit destination for drugs — primarily cocaine and cannabis.
The President of the High Transitional Council of Haiti, Mirlande Manigat, said that body was struck at its heart by the kidnapping of Anthony Virginie Saint-Pierre, its Secretary-General, on 18 October. This kidnapping did not happen by chance, she said, adding that each Haitian could tell the story of the tragedy of the country. Thousands of children are deprived of education; patients are succumbing to wounds because they cannot get to the hospital; market vendors have their goods pillaged by gangs; and young girls and boys are raped with impunity, she said. The only profitable business is gangsterism, she said, adding: “Suffering Haiti is speaking through me.” She called on the international community to provide the aid that has been pledged, saying it must stand in solidarity with Haiti’s patriots who are determined to change its destiny. She added that Haitians are awaiting the Mission’s support troops.
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) — also speaking as the designated Principal Advocate on the Humanitarian Situation in Haiti for the Inter-Agency Standing Committee — reported that half the population needs humanitarian relief, but the UN has received barely 25 per cent of the $720 million needed for the Humanitarian Response Plan. “Nearly a quarter of Haiti’s children are chronically malnourished,” she added, and those severely malnourished are five times more likely to die from cholera, which continues to plague the country.
She called on the international community to prioritize increasing flexible humanitarian funding and on all to urge international financial institutions and development partners to keep Haitian social sectors and services in operation.
In the ensuing debate, Member States noted the need for a strong working relationship between BINUH and the Mission, and called for securing humanitarian aid and international support in other areas, including combating illicit financial flows.
The representative of Brazil, Council President for October, speaking in his national capacity, hailed the authorization of the Mission and the renewal of the sanctions regime. He called on Member States contributing to the Mission to swiftly agree and submit to the Council the rules for engagement, to allow for its timely deployment. “It remains to be established how BINUH can better support the efforts of the Mission,” he said. He insisted that security assistance must be coupled with robust development assistance, as well as support for institutional strengthening, to address the root causes of violence, instability and poverty.
The United Arab Emirates’ delegate expressed regret about the worsening security, economic and humanitarian conditions, adding that, “we must not allow ourselves to have Haiti fatigue”. He said the security track must work in parallel with the political track. He called for measures to combat trafficking of weapons and illicit financial flows. France’s representative welcomed the Council, in adopting resolution 2700 (2023) this month, renewing Haiti’s sanctions regime, saying that her country wants to work on sanctions against new people threatening peace in the country.
UNODC’s assistance to the Haitian authorities in combating illicit financial flows was welcomed by Mozambique’s representative, who added that the international community must pay the utmost attention to the humanitarian situation, including to famine and infectious diseases. The necessary resources must be provided for the humanitarian emergency response, for its effective functioning and provision of life-saving assistance. He also appealed to partner countries for funding for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-managed Multi-Donor Fund.
China’s delegate welcomed the Council’s strong response to Haiti’s crisis and said the promotion of a political process is fundamental, as without a legitimate and accountable Government, external efforts will not have any lasting effect. Noting the country’s two-year-long political vacuum, he called on all parties and stakeholders to carry out consultations responsibly.
The representative of Jamaica, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said it will continue helping, including through the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, to facilitate engagements among Haitian stakeholders in a constructive political dialogue to work towards restoring security, re-establishing democracy and good governance, organizing free and fair elections, and successfully pursuing Haiti’s social and economic development aspirations.
Haiti’s delegate was present at the meeting but did not speak.
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15460.doc.htm
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