Calling for transparent elections and protecting human rights in Haiti
Statement by Alice Jacobs, UK Deputy Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Haiti (BINUH)
Thank you, Mr President. I will be brief this morning.
Thank you SRSG for your comprehensive update. The UK recognises the challenging circumstances faced since the Secretary-General’s last report – as you and others have described today – and we welcome the progress made.
The people of Haiti deserve an end to the dysfunction that has plagued state institutions and governance in this country for so long.
I would like to start by joining others in calling for credible and transparent legislative elections as soon as possible. These are necessary to put Haiti on a path towards stability and prosperity.
Concurrent progress on human rights is critical to underpin stability. The United Kingdom welcomes the appointment of a Minister-delegate for Human Rights and the Fight against Extreme Poverty. This is an important step to demonstrating political will to safeguard human rights.
However, we are concerned that the National Action Plan for Human Rights is yet to be adopted by the Council of Ministers.
I also wanted to express our grave concern over the assassination of the President of the Port-au-Prince Bar Association, Montferrier Dorval. The UK calls for a prompt and transparent investigation into this, and welcomes the commitment by President Moïse to hold perpetrators to account.
Mr President, the establishment, almost one year ago, of the Integrated UN Office in Haiti (BINUH) reflected this Council’s conviction that the international community’s engagement with Haiti needed to rest on a new model of cooperation, with Haitians firmly in the lead.
The UK welcomes the finalisation of the UN Integrated Strategic Framework that supports and underpins Haiti’s national priorities. We are pleased to see the UN Country Team stepping up, and instruments such as the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) – to which the UK is wholeheartedly committed – being deployed strategically.
As we approach discussions on mandate renewal, the UK continues to be supportive of BINUH’s work.
But it is political commitment – from all leaders – that is needed to overcome national divisions, and give Haiti the chance to break through the cycles of instability and to begin a new chapter.
Thank you, Mr President.