UNGA 74,
Statement at the Security Council on Haiti,
Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson,
February 20, New York
Thank you, Mr President,
I join others in thanking Special Representative of Secretary General Helen La Lime for her briefing.
We welcome Ms Marie Yolene Gilles, President of La Fondasyon Je Klere.
Mr President,
Haiti is facing a continuous political crises intertwined with socioeconomic challenges and those in turn affect the security situation. A lot of work has been done, but the challenges remain and need to be addressed.
We urge all parties to pursue an open and inclusive dialogue and demonstrate political will and constructive approach to discuss most pressing issues as a roadmap for reform and a constitutional revision process – that is where the solution can be found. And that is what the people of Haiti expect from their political leaders.
It is important to define the electoral calendar and create conditions for a legislative election to be held. In that regard we welcome UNDP training program for the future elections to succeed and to increase women´s political participation as the ratio of women parliamentarians in the former Legislature ranked among the lowest in the world.
Mobilizing domestic forces and translating the plans into actions enables the international community to support national efforts. Haiti will require continued assistance in the course of achieving stability and development. The Latin American region offers useful experiences about how to build effective and sustainable agreements.
Mr President,
We commend the role of the Haitian National Police for its efforts in maintaining peace. Recent reports about the rising level of violence, including kidnapping, hijacking, robberies etc. and gang-related criminality are extremely worrisome. We condemn gang involvement in the protests and contributing to violent escalation. Given complex and challenging environment the response capability of the Haitian National Police needs to be increased in order to conduct effective operations against gang members and to fulfil their mandate fully.
We welcome the progress in implementing the 2018 legal aid law but despite this progress more needs to be done in pursuing accountability for recent human rights violations, corruption scandals and to effectively fight impunity in Haiti. Progress is also needed in strengthening access to justice and reparation for victims and respect for human rights.
The recent OHCHR report on Bel Air incident displays a trend in the resurgence of gang-related violence in Haiti, lack of accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, including by the police, as well as the absence of the State in certain urban areas preventing authorities from ensuring protection. It is important to make full use of the accountability system to ensure that all cases are properly investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The goal of a stable Haiti with fully functioning unified state institutions and authority can only be achieved through a Haitian-led and -owned political process.
Mr President,
Finally, I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary General Helen La Lime and her team for their important work. We encourage everyone to continue efforts to work together and rebuild mutual trust and ensure stability and development in Haiti.
Thank you, Mr President!
