S/PV.6936 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Haiti, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Spain and Uruguay to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome the presence at the Council table of His Excellency Mr. Fernando Carrera Castro, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Nigel Fisher, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Interim Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, to participate in this meeting. Under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2013/139, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. I now give the floor to Mr. Fisher. Mr. Fisher: I am pleased to have this opportunity to provide the Security Council with an update on the most recent developments in Haiti and to join this discussion of the work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The annex to the report of the Secretary- General before the Council (S/2013/139) outlines the MINUSTAH consolidation plan, as agreed with the Government of Haiti. The plan outlines key objectives for the next three years to strengthen security, the rule of law, elections administration and institutional modernization, which, if achieved, will enable MINUSTAH to continue the process of consolidation on which it has already embarked. As outlined by the Secretary-General in his report, the period under review has been a challenging one for Haiti, both at the political level and for the people of Haiti. The annual economic growth rate fell well below forecast levels. High unemployment rates were compounded by two severe tropical storms and regional droughts that exacerbated the high levels of food insecurity facing many households. Agricultural production was particularly hard-hit. The Government responded promptly by establishing a state of emergency to accelerate the disbursement of funds to address emergency needs. A modest emergency appeal was launched with the support of the United Nations and other partners, to which the response was encouraging. In addition, the Government announced agricultural production and environmental protection as national priorities for 2013. Progress continues in finding alternative solutions for displaced Haitians remaining in camps. Displacement numbers continue to decline, although conditions for residual camp populations worsen as humanitarian resources shrink and international operational partners end operations. The cholera epidemic continues. Fatality and infection rates are much reduced from peak rates, although a recent spike in outbreaks gives cause for concern. The Government has launched the national eradication plan, supported by the Secretary-General’s initiative, but significant additional financing is required. The Government also continued to deploy efforts to attract investors and to stimulate economic growth and job creation. Most recently, a new initiative was launched to significantly reduce the time required to register new businesses. The security situation, in overall terms, remained relatively stable. Nevertheless, difficult socioeconomic conditions contributed to an increase in public protests. The number of kidnappings declined, but homicide rates increased, in particular driven by inter-gang violence in parts of Port-au-Prince. As indicated in the report of the Secretary-General, the period under review was one of impasse in the political domain, epitomized by the lack of progress in creating the electoral commission that would oversee partial legislative and local elections, which are now 16 months overdue. Despite the 24 December agreement brokered by the religious coalition Religions pour la Paix, and subsequent intense debate, significant differences remain among the executive and legislative levels and the high judicial council. It is worthwhile recalling the reason that elections are now so crucial in Haiti. At the local level, the municipal and local elections were to have been held in November 2011. In the absence of those elections, over the past year we have seen the replacement of some 130 elected municipal Governments with presidential appointees. At the legislative level, the mandate of one third of Haiti’s Senators expired in May of last year, considerably impairing the functioning of that body. The issue of whether the mandates of an additional third of the Senators expire in early 2014 or in early 2015 remains acrimonious and unresolved. (spoke in Spanish) The holding of credible elections in 2013 is crucial, making it possible to bolster Haiti’s democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law and respond to the urgent needs of Haitian citizens in crucial areas including social protection and employment. Yesterday, through one of his advisers, the President committed to establishing a temporary electoral council before Easter. However, establishment of the electoral council will constitute only a first step towards holding credible and inclusive elections. MINUSTAH, like all of Haiti’s partners on the ground, is urging all political actors to unite in a spirit of strengthened collaboration to achieve an agreement on a minimum set of necessary measures to ensure the holding of elections before the end of the year. That would include an agreement on the type and date of the elections, clarification on the deadline for senatorial terms, the adoption of an electoral law and a law on political parties and their financing, as well as an agreement on the modus operandi of the electoral council. (spoke in English) Progress on elections has become the barometer for measuring progress towards a more inclusive political culture and for addressing institutional and development challenges. But Haiti faces many challenges beyond the electoral process alone. Recognizing the interdependence of security, stability and development, the Government of Haiti and MINUSTAH have agreed upon a conditions-based consolidation plan for MINUSTAH, which is annexed to the Secretary- General’s report. The consolidation plan sets out four core-mandated tasks to be achieved with the Government and, of course, in collaboration with other national and international partners. Those are, first, the accelerated development of the Haitian National Police; secondly, the strengthening of a permanent electoral commission once it is created; thirdly, strengthening of the rule of law and respect for human rights, with a priority on reinforcing basic accountability and oversight mechanisms; and, fourthly, supporting key national and local governance reforms, as well as helping key national stakeholders to achieve consensus on inclusive political processes and institutional reforms — all as necessary conditions for socioeconomic development, which will benefit the majority of Haitian citizens. For each of the four areas, the plan sets out a limited number of benchmarks that could realistically be attained by 2016. The plan is of course subject to a number of conditions, including a graduated transfer to Haitian authorities of responsibility for maintaining security, as well as increased independence of the judiciary. On the issue of good governance, I am encouraged by the recent steps taken by the Prime Minister to fight corruption. The early passage of anti-corruption, procurement and tendering procedure laws that is now before parliament would also strengthen due process and encourage investment. Finally, the consolidation plan foresees the further reduction of MINUSTAH’s uniformed strength, as part of MINUSTAH’s overall consolidation, within a progressively smaller and less costly Mission footprint in Haiti. At the start of my presentation, I mentioned the ongoing cholera epidemic and the recent spike in cases. I also mentioned the recently launched national cholera elimination plan, supported by the Secretary-General’s initiative announced in December. We in the United Nations family are committed to continued support for the national plan and, with partners, to redouble efforts to mobilize the significant additional resources needed to fight cholera, to improve water and sanitation and to strengthen the national health-care network. Haitians expect no less. MINUSTAH’s leadership is also committed to ensuring that the United Nations policy of zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse by our personnel is respected and enforced. It is essential to our reputation that the conduct of our personnel be in conformity with the highest standards and that prompt and decisive action be taken to prevent abuse, to investigate allegations and to impose disciplinary measures where warranted. (spoke in French) The stabilization process in Haiti has encountered a number of difficulties during the time period under consideration. However, I remain convinced that Haiti can and will make great progress in overcoming political divisions by undertaking necessary and important reforms in the institutional arena, as well as in the area of the rule of law, and to meet the urgent economic and social needs of its citizens. Moving beyond the current political impasse is crucial to consolidating democracy in Haiti. MINUSTAH — the consolidation plan of which was approved by the Haitian Government — is prepared to support Haiti in assuming increasing responsibility for its national security and the security of its citizens, and to assist in creating consensus on an inclusive, democratic process and institutional reforms and a conducive environment for economic development and the well-being of the majority of Haitians.

I thank Mr. Fisher for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

I Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Interim Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Mr. Fisher, for his briefing, and Ambassador Gaspar of Haiti for joining us today. We value his engagement and partnership. Last October (see S/PV.6842), we gathered in this Chamber with relative optimism about the great strides being made by the Haitian people in rebuilding their country, including the appointment of a new Prime Minister, the increased roles for women, and constitutional amendments to strengthen the rule of law and democracy, to name but a few. Today, Acting Special Representative Fisher has shared the Secretary- General’s observations that Haiti has missed an opportunity to achieve meaningful progress over the past six months. His candid findings remind us all of the hard work that remains to be done. As the Council noted in January, holding free, fair, inclusive and credible local, municipal and senatorial elections by the end of 2013 is critical. The absence of such elections impedes stability and socioeconomic development. The Haitian Parliament’s designation of its three representatives to the transitional permanent electoral council last week is an important step forward, and we hope that it will be followed swiftly with the actions necessary to schedule overdue elections. Progress on that front will reassure the international community and the Haitian people of the Government’s commitment to democracy, transparency and good governance. Attention can then turn in earnest to creating jobs, fighting food insecurity and preparing for the next natural disaster. Another area of concern is security. Without question, the capacity and sustainability of the Haitian National Police (HNP) should be the single highest priority for MINUSTAH. The ability to transfer full security responsibility is a precondition for further reductions in MINUSTAH forces and its eventual withdrawal. We are encouraged by the robust partnership between MINUSTAH and the HNP, and support efforts on that critical priority. Turning to reconstruction, we are encouraged by the progress made since the 2010 earthquake. In particular we note that the total number of displaced persons who have sought shelter in camps has fallen to 357,000. We expect MINUSTAH to continue working with the Government of Haiti and international partners to find durable solutions for the sheltering and protection of those vulnerable individuals that remain in the camps. With regard to efforts to eradicate cholera, we commend the Secretary-General for his personal commitment to the issue and support the appointment of Mr. Paul Farmer as the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Community-based Medicine and Lessons from Haiti. The United States welcomes the Secretary-General’s conditions-based consolidation plan 2013-2016 (see S/2013/139, annex) and its focus on a core set of mandated tasks to be executed in partnership with the United Nations country team, international partners and, most importantly, the Government of Haiti. The plan is a living document that will evolve in response to developments on the ground, as well adjustments to the MINUSTAH mandate. We look forward to working with Council members to refine the plan in the coming months. Finally, I would like to underscore our appreciation and support for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. Every day, those serving in MINUSTAH are working side by side with the Haitian people and Government to strengthen the country’s institutions, provide security, protect human rights and tackle challenges, such as forced evictions and sexual and gender-based violence. MINUSTAH carries a heavy responsibility, and we are grateful for the Mission’s tireless work. We nevertheless insist that any instance of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel is unacceptable. We expect sustained actions by MINUSTAH’s leadership to ensure that such abuses will not be tolerated. We cannot let setbacks cause us to lose sight of the most important objective — to achieve a self-sustaining, stable and secure nation in which all of its citizens have democratic freedoms, the protection of human rights and the assurance of food, shelter and basic services. Serious problems persist, but Haiti is gradually moving forward with the help of MINUSTAH, international partners and the hard work and determination of the Haitian people. The United States remains firmly committed to helping Haiti build a brighter future and reach its full potential.

I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today’s debate. We thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Nigel Fisher, for his insightful briefing. Pakistan fully supports efforts to move Haiti towards peace and progress, which is the collective objective of the Haitian people, the Council and the international community. The brave and resilient people of Haiti have made important strides towards stability and development. The devastating earthquake of 2010 reversed the gains achieved over many years. It is heartening that a new and promising Haiti is emerging from the ashes of that tragedy. Challenges persist, but the resolve of the Haitian people to take collective action to rebuild their country is stronger. Last year, Haiti achieved important political milestones by forming a new Government, issuing constitutional amendments and establishing a Superior Council of the Judiciary. This year, elections of Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are significant developments. Improvement in relations between the executive and the Parliament will lead to further political progress in the country. We welcome the pledge made by the President of Haiti to hold elections in 2013. The elections will help revitalize the country’s democratic institutions. Haiti needs international assistance in managing the electoral process. We support assistance by the United Nations for the Haitian authorities to progressively assume full responsibility for the management of the electoral process by 2016. Pakistan has been a participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Haiti since 1993. At present, one formed police unit from Pakistan comprising 139 personnel is serving in Haiti. All components of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) are implementing a challenging mandate under difficult circumstances. We hope that the drawdown of the MINUSTAH military component will not impact the security situation in that country. Disturbances in some areas of the country underscore the necessity for the Mission to remain agile and capable against an emergent situation. The Secretary-General’s report under consideration today (S/2013/139) has presented a condition-based consolidation plan for MINUSTAH. It entails a narrowing of MINUSTAH activities to core mandated tasks in the areas of security, governance, the rule of law and the respect for human rights. We agree with the approach of working around a set of stabilization benchmarks to gauge the overall progress. One of the most significant aspects of the benchmarks is the development of the Haitian National Police (HNP). The success of the five-year training programme and the strengthening of the HNP is a prerequisite for MINUSTAH’s eventual withdrawal from Haiti. Today’s debate should underscore the challenge of addressing the humanitarian situation in Haiti. The ongoing cholera epidemic, food insecurity and extreme vulnerability to natural disasters augment the humanitarian challenge. We urge greater coordination and cohesion among different actors engaged in humanitarian work. We also caution against donor fatigue, which can result from a protracted crisis such as that faced by Haiti. Pakistan supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Haiti. We remain a sincere partner of the people of Haiti in their quest for peace, security, stability and progress.

I would like to begin by welcoming the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nigel Fisher, and thanking him for his informative briefing and presentation of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2013/139). At a time when we are focusing on his work at the helm of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), we also hope to see the appointment of a new Special Representative who can continue working with the Haitian Government to coordinate the ongoing efforts to establish security, ensure peace, restore justice and respect for human rights, and achieve sustainable development in this beloved country. It would be an honour for Latin America for that responsibility to go to a representative of the region. I would also like to emphasize that my delegation fully subscribes to the statement to be delivered by the Permanent Representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. I would like to reaffirm Argentina’s firm commitment to Haiti’s institutional reconstruction, democratic stability and development. While Argentina has a long tradition of support for Haiti’s democratic Governments, 2004 was a turning point. That year, the social, institutional and infrastructure challenges posed by the structural poverty from which the country suffered culminated in the political and institutional crisis resulting from President Aristide’s expulsion. That led the international community to launch MINUSTAH — a mission made up entirely, for the first time, by the countries of our region. Argentina contributes 573 military personnel and 14 police officers to the Mission. Similarly, since the first South-South cooperation activities began at the regional level, aimed at stabilizing Haiti within the framework of MINUSTAH, the countries of the region have put together wide-ranging initiatives in the area of technical cooperation in various fields of activity. Between 2005 and 2012, Argentina, along with other countries of the region and the regional organization the Union of South American Nations, was involved in more than 172 projects promoting the social dimensions of cooperation. The majority of these were aimed at improving food security and access to basic rights in the areas of education, health care, water and sanitation, the political and social arena, housing, and the rights of children, young people and the disabled. Economic cooperation has also been significant, with projects supporting technology and production, mainly in the agricultural sector, and in strengthening the socioeconomic infrastructure. In the wake of the devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake, South- South cooperation in the region expanded, not only in terms of increased funding for Haiti but also in addressing the coordination challenges posed by the Latin American presence there. Argentina agrees with the Secretary-General when he says in his report that MINUSTAH continues to be a decisive factor in establishing a secure and stable environment in Haiti that is conducive to a definitive momentum towards development. For that reason, we support the Mission’s continuing presence on the basis of its mandate from the Security Council, as long as that presence is still desired by the Government of Haiti. I would like to address some major issues. First, we wish to highlight the efforts of Haitian society and Government in tackling the effects of the 2010 earthquake. That unprecedented disaster added new and unique problems to the country’s existing challenges. The earthquake and its human, economic and environmental consequences affected more than 3.5 million people — one third of the population — of whom 222,570 died, 350,000 were injured and 2.3 million were left homeless, including more than 300,000 children and young people, leaving thousands in camps for the internally displaced and massive destruction of administrative, education and health facilities. Since then, Haiti has had to deal with the destructive effects of Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storm Isaac, which have caused considerable damage to the country, especially in the farming sector, and continue to pose enormous challenges. Nonetheless, despite these adversities, affirmed by the United Nations Development Programme in its most recent report, Haiti continues to make progress. Some examples of this can be seen in construction; some 80 per cent of the 10 million cubic metres of rubble has been cleared from houses and 20 per cent of it recycled. In two years, 1 million people have returned to their homes and 400,000 jobs have been created, 40 per cent of them for women. Many students and community leaders have been trained in natural disaster mitigation and reduction activities. Environmental protection efforts have been channeled through programmes, particularly in vulnerable regions, an area in which women continue to play a key role in that they are directly involved in reforestation projects. However, as the former Head of MINUSTAH, Mr. Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, said in his briefings, democracy and good governance continue to be serious issues in Haiti. The current political situation in Haiti is in the process of being stabilized; while still fragile, it is promising, but it must be strengthened. Political capacity must be strengthened, State institutions rebuilt, socioeconomic development promoted and investment attracted. In that context, holding credible, fair and transparent elections this year, in 2013, is vital to rebuilding State capacity and restoring the rule of law, at the local level as well as nationally. There is no doubt that progress has been made in standards for protecting the most vulnerable groups, for example through a law to integrate people with disabilities, which has been enacted in Parliament and approved by the President. Draft legislation agreed to by all the political parties aimed at eliminating violence against women is pending before the Government, which has also ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. An inter-ministerial committee on human rights has been created and has presented a report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. However, the Haitian National Police, while gradually continuing to consolidate, does not yet have the capacity to assume full responsibility for providing and ensuring internal security throughout the country. In that context, MINUSTAH, its military and police personnel play a vital role in maintaining security and stability in the country. The United Nations, working with the international community in Haiti, must continue to provide the financial, technical and logistical capacity needed to allow Haiti to make progress towards definitive stabilization. As the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported, beyond the progress made in recent years, Haiti continues to grapple with a critical number of needs and with the importance of building State capacity, without which the people’s needs cannot be met. To cite only one figure, a seriously important issue is the deterioration in food security, affecting at least 2.1 million people, who will be at genuinely severe nutritional risk if steps are not taken to address the problem in time. We understand that the time has come to consolidate progress in the area of resettlement. To that end, we believe that the international community must renew its efforts to support the Haitian Government in ensuring decent living conditions for those who are still living in camps and in promoting programmes of return. According to the Secretary-General’s report, however, the 2012 consolidated appeal finished the year at 46 per cent of its funding level, with the number of international non-governmental organizations present in Haiti declining by 57 per cent since 2010. Those figures are truly in contradiction with our regional and international responsibility to promote social, economic and institutional development in Haiti. In recent days, we have heard the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights welcome the initiative in Port-au-Prince to try the ex-dictator of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier. Duvalier, who was also known as “Baby Doc”, has been indicted for crimes against humanity, including the murder or exile of more than 30,000 people during his reign. Furthermore, in his report to the Human Rights Council, the Independent Expert Mr. Michel Forst identified, among the factors threatening the establishment of effective democracy in Haiti, political or partisan considerations in appointing magistrates, the weakness of the judiciary and the reign of impunity. In that respect, he reported that prison conditions have not improved and that the treatment of prisoners continues to be inhumane, degrading and cruel. The Expert noted that incidents of police brutality and harassment occur frequently, and he expressed his belief that the impunity of human rights violators indicated a return of fear among the population and that the authorities needed to act decisively to resolve this problem. Moreover, we are concerned that the financing available for the development of the Haitian National Police remains insufficient. The Police is a key institution for progress in the area of stabilization, as it is responsible for maintaining security. Similarly, it is important to strengthen Haitian institutions with a view to improving the process of formulating policies and relations between the State and citizens, which have been undermined in recent months. With regard to the future and the social and political situation in Haiti, we understand the complexity and the difficulty of the issues at hand. We are concerned about the reduction in financing available for humanitarian assistance, because it puts all that has been achieved at risk. However, we also have encouraging news. One million displaced persons were able to leave the camps between 2010 and early 2013, which reflects a general reduction of 77 per cent. According to the report, that reduction can be attributed largely to the return programmes undertaken by the Government with the support of the United Nations. However, it is alarming to note that 84 per cent of the population remaining in the camps are people who were displaced by the earthquake, a great number of whom remain dependent on assistance for basic survival. We underscore the commitment that should be undertaken by all Haitian political and social actors to a frank dialogue to lay the foundations for an agreement that will allow the transition from transitional to permanent electoral council to be completed and elections to be held this year. In parallel to the agreement on the appointment of members to the legislative and judiciary branches, it is important to designate representatives of the executive branch as soon as possible. The commitment of Haitians to their own legislative mandates can only encourage the international community to continue supporting the strengthening of the country. In that regard, we welcome the Haitian Government’s commitment to contributing almost half of its electoral budget and the decision of the United Nations to provide support for the upcoming elections and to help the Haitian authorities over the next three years to progressively assume full responsibility for managing the electoral process in 2016. We believe that progress in the area of stabilization should be accompanied by growth and development in the country based on priorities set by the Government and people of Haiti. With regard to the Mission’s activities, we welcome the presentation of the first draft of MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan and the fact that the plan enjoys the support of the Government of Haiti. We understand that the plan must be developed within the framework of the Mission’s mandate on the basis of the evolution of conditions on the ground. In that connection, we believe that actions related to governance should contribute to consensus-building without overstepping the functions of Haitian institutions. We hope that the plan will continue to be developed in close coordination with the Government and people of Haiti, pursuant to their own priorities. I conclude by reaffirming Argentina’s unshakeable commitment to the people of Haiti, democracy, human rights and the country’s development. That commitment will continue to be manifest within the Security Council, to which Argentina has belonged as a non-permanent member since January 2013. We have been supported by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States in promoting the interests of our region. In that context, promoting human rights, democracy and development in Haiti are all priorities. I would like to honour the work of the peacekeepers in Haiti, and especially the Argentine peacekeepers, whose conduct has been impeccable. We are proud that our country has not received a single complaint of misconduct or the commission of crimes.

We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his recent report (S/2013/139) on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and to the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Fisher, for his briefing. I would also like to commend the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and the United Nations country team, which continue to play a crucial role in supporting the recovery and stabilization of Haiti. In resolution 2070 (2012), the Security Council recognized that Haiti had continued to make considerable strides since the tragic earthquake of January 2010 and had achieved over the past year a number of political milestones indicative of progress in the process of stabilization. We note that in the period under review, the overall security situation in the country remained relatively stable, that the performance of the Haitian National Police (HNP) continued to improve and considerable results were achieved in fighting crime. Significant strides were made regarding the resettlement of persons displaced by the 2010 earthquake, and the Government initiated measures to respond to grievances linked to the increased cost of living and food insecurity. We also note the signing of the finalized integrated strategic framework for 2013- 2016 between the United Nations and the Government of Haiti, which captures comprehensive shared objectives for the long-term development of Haiti. At the same time, as the Secretary-General notes in his report, the period under review posed numerous challenges to the stabilization process in Haiti. Indeed, more should be done by the national authorities and the international community in the broad interest of the Haitian people. Needless to say, political stability in the country is a key priority for the stabilization and development of Haiti. The tension in relations between the country’s executive branch and Parliament remains one of the major obstacles to greater stability and prosperity. It is therefore important that all political actors in Haiti redouble their efforts to preserve the progress achieved over the past year and take a responsible approach to engaging in constructive dialogue to address their differences in a spirit of compromise. Such dialogue is particularly important for launching the long-overdue electoral process and holding free, fair, inclusive and credible elections as soon as possible. It is essential that the international community continue to encourage political dialogue among the branches of Government and other key political actors. The United Nations should support the upcoming elections and progressively strengthen the capacity of the Haitian authorities to assume full responsibility for national ownership of the organization and conduct of elections. Further efforts are also needed to strengthen key rule of law institutions, reform the security sector, attract investment, promote sustainable development and advance the democratic agenda. The protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and internally displaced persons, should remain the priority. The humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to show signs of improvement as the number of internally displaced persons living in camps declines. However, significant humanitarian challenges remain. Continued strong international engagement and efforts by the Haitian authorities are crucial to ensuring that all pressing humanitarian needs are met. We note in that regard that, in consultation with the Government, the United Nations and the humanitarian actors in the country further developed a humanitarian action plan for 2013, focusing on food insecurity and cholera. The role of MINUSTAH in the maintenance of overall security and stability remains vital, and the improvement and the performance of national parties is partly attributable to support provided by Mission forces. Close cooperation between the HNP and MINUSTAH is critical to effectively addressing security challenges and to ensuring that the police move forward to reach the capacity necessary to handle its full responsibility for the provision of internal security. The continued assistance of the international community and funding remain critical to supporting professional, reliable and accountable police forces. In concluding, I would like to thank the Secretary- General for submitting a conditions-based consolidation plan for MINUSTAH in response to the request of the Security Council in its resolution 2070 (2012). We believe that the plan will enable MINUSTAH to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively, that is, to focus on the most critical aspects of stability, a progressive transition of functions to national authorities, and the provision of assistance to international partners.

I would like to join others in thanking Mr. Nigel Fisher for his insightful briefing. I congratulate him for the work he is doing as Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti. Rwanda commends the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for the role it is playing in assisting Haitians to rebuild their country. We renew our support for its work in various areas, including the maintenance of public order, the promotion of human rights and the strengthening the rule of law. We fully support the Haitian people on their road to reconstruction, democracy and development. We are convinced that Haitians can overcome the current challenges through the solidarity and active support of the international community. However, political progress requires the Government and all political actors in Haiti to come together and form a broader political pact based on a common set of national priorities, in accordance with the country’s Constitution. The success already achieved in rebuilding the country runs the risk of being eroded by the lack of progress in establishing key Government institutions, especially the Electoral Council. Free, fair and credible elections are paramount if a Government that can answer to the many challenges being faced by Haitians is to be established and if trust in Government institutions is eventually to be restored. It is therefore imperative that all stakeholders within the legislative and executive branches of Government make the necessary concessions to ensure that agreement is reached to establish the Electoral Council, reinforce good governance and set in motion the reforms needed to rebuild and consolidate stability and encourage outside investment. In that regard, support and assistance from the international community, the United Nations and the international financial institutions remain indispensable and critical to enabling the country to meet the aspirations of its people. We note that the security situation remains relatively stable and that the number of kidnappings has decreased. However, we express concern over the increase in the number of homicides and continued civil unrest, particularly regular anti-Government demonstrations. As one of the police-contributing countries in MINUSTAH, with a formed police unit of 160 police officers, we recognize the importance of professionalizing the Haitian police force in order to tackle those security challenges. We call upon the international community to continue providing support in that regard. We emphasize that security must be accompanied by socioeconomic development. Therefore, our collective reflection on Haiti today should take into account the interlinkages between security and development as key components of sustainable peace. It is therefore essential that efforts on the security front be accompanied by even stronger support by the international community to socioeconomic development and the strengthening of institutional capabilities. Concerning the humanitarian situation, we of course remain concerned by the prevalence of cholera and we commend the Government of Haiti for its national eradication plan against the disease. We are alarmed by the aftermath of the earthquake and the deteriorating food security situation in the country, which has been aggravated by drought, hurricane Sandy and tropical storm Isaac. We take note of the humanitarian action plan for 2013, which requires an estimated $144 million. We call upon the international community to continue to extend solidarity to the Haitian people. Rwanda also expresses concern over the human rights situation in Haiti, particularly with regard to sexual and gender-based violence, and we urge the Government to establish mechanisms that protect women and children against such violence. In conclusion, the recent report on the current conditions on the ground reflects a country that has made progress (S/2013/139). However, a strong commitment by the Haitian Government and political forces, as well as continued support from the international community, is needed to accompany that progress towards sustainable peace, stability and socioeconomic development for Haiti.

I thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nigel Fisher, for his briefing. We applaud the entire team of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for its valuable contribution towards promoting stability and development in Haiti. More than three years after the devastating earthquake, Haiti continues to face significant political, economic and other challenges. The hard-won progress in the political arena in past years has been giving way to setbacks and uncertainties. The continued stand-off among political actors and the lack of trust in the rule of law in society are a source of serious concern. The socioeconomic situation in Haiti also remains fragile, with its food insecurity, cholera epidemic, and weak health-care and humanitarian-relief systems. The social and economic grievances have often led to civil unrest and rising crime, which put a heavy burden on the country’s stabilization process. Given the complexity of the challenges Haiti faces, a comprehensive approach still remains important. On the political front, it is imperative that the long overdue elections be held soon in order to enable the Haitian people to have a credible and broad- based political mechanism at hand. The agreement on the establishment of the transitional college of the Permanent Electoral Council is welcome. However, it is disappointing that the body has yet to materialize. We encourage all the political stakeholders in Haiti to step up their efforts with a view to finalizing the appointment of the members of that electoral body and hold fair and inclusive elections within the earliest possible time frame this year. The strengthening of the rule of law and the relevant institutions is a prerequisite for the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. We are particularly concerned about the continuing sexual violence against women. Despite the growing awareness of its seriousness, a number of women and girls are still being victimized through such crimes. What is worse is that the victims’ acute suffering often goes unreported, while perpetrators are not properly investigated and prosecuted. The police and judicial response to sexual violence must be strengthened. MINUSTAH needs to further enhance its training programme for the National Police in the field of sexual violence and in respect to broader human rights concerns. Moreover, education and awareness campaigns in society could help break the culture of silence and impunity on the issue. To ensure better security and a long-term basis for development in Haiti, capacity-building of the police is a vital requirement. Despite the continued improvements in its performance, we note the assessment of the Secretary-General that the current capacity of the National Police is not yet sufficient for it to assume full responsibility for security throughout the country. As MINUSTAH moves to a more focused and action-oriented phase of its operations, it is noteworthy that the consolidation plan for the Mission identifies the capacity-building of the police as one of its highest priorities. Indeed, the readiness of the National Police to ensure the security of the country will be a precondition for MINUSTAH’s eventual withdrawal from Haiti. We appreciate the role of MINUSTAH in assisting Haiti in the areas of recovery, political stability and development. In that regard, we fully support the ongoing reconfiguration and consolidation process of the Mission. The international community should continue its support for and engagement in Haiti, so that the country can overcome the current challenges facing it and achieve recovery and stabilization in the near future. The Republic of Korea will continue to give its support to the Government and the people of Haiti in their endeavour.

I am pleased to join the Council for today’s debate. This provides me the first opportunity, since I took office several weeks ago as Minister for Foreign Affairs of my country, to take part in a debate of the Council and thereby renew the political support of my Government for this body. Moreover, the issue that we have gathered here today to address — the future of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) — holds a special place in our own foreign policy agenda. MINUSTAH is the only peacekeeping operation in our region — Latin America and the Caribbean — and, as a troop-contributing country, we feel a deep sense of connection with the people and the Government of Haiti. We thank the Russian Federation for having convened this debate, and we commend the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nigel Fisher, and all the staff of MINUSTAH for the important work they are doing in Haiti in the face of major challenges. We also thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2013/139), which informs our debate today. We have mixed reactions to the content of the report. On the one hand, it reports gradual progress in certain areas and presents us, in the annex, with an encouraging plan for the period 2013-2016. On the other hand, we note with concern the persistent uncertainty surrounding the pending elections, which are 16 months overdue. We note also that there is a lack of political consensus for a national unity dialogue and that, as the report stresses, rule-of-law initiatives have yet to produce significant and sustainable change. For instance, the Haitian National Police is not yet in a position to assume full responsibility for the provision of security throughout the country, and food insecurity poses a serious threat to social stability. More specifically, we note, first, that the key short-term priority is the holding of local, municipal and legislative elections. Postponing them yet again could jeopardize the Haitian rule of law. That is why we welcomed the Security Council’s press statement of 28 January 2013 (SC/10901), and we call once again for the urgent holding of credible, inclusive and transparent elections, in accordance with the Constitution. We note with appreciation the recent designation by the legislative branch of its representatives to the transitional college of the permanent electoral council. We hope that this process will be completed as soon as possible and that, once established, it will show the necessary independence. Secondly, we support the development of a political agreement, and we are concerned that key decision-making on the issue is being undermined by the lack of consensus at the national level. In Guatemala, our Government has been able to work in an inclusive manner through the identification of shared priorities and by obtaining commitments from major stakeholders for the approval of an agreement for justice and security in Guatemala. My country is prepared to share its experience in that regard with the sisterly Republic of Haiti. Thirdly, we agree with the Secretary-General that in order to reverse the rising trend of major crime in Haiti, especially those mentioned earlier by the Republic of Korea, including sexual violence against women and children, it is important that the Government continue to strengthen rule-of-law institutions and step up its efforts to combat impunity. The establishment of sound rule-of-law institutions, including the police and the judiciary, requires that they be allowed to operate as independently as possible. Fourthly, we continue to be concerned about the situation of the more than 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps. We encourage the Government, with the support of the international community, to improve conditions in the remaining IDP camps and to continue advancing with reconstruction efforts. In addition, I wish to express our full support for the Secretary-General’s initiative of 11 December 2012 for the elimination of cholera in Haiti. In that regard, we deem particularly suitable the appointment of Dr. Paul Farmer, as the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Community-based Medicine and Lessons from Haiti. Let me also express our satisfaction at the recent signing of the new integrated strategic framework for the period 2013-2016. In that context, we are concerned that last year’s Haiti’s flash appeal is still far from meeting its goals. Turning now to the consolidation plan, we welcome the concise version that we have received, which is still being examined by our national authorities. We note the natural assumption that the Mission marks 2016 as its horizon. While that assumption is a step in the right direction, we believe that the criteria to be taken into account for an exit strategy include the objective conditions that will enable the United Nations to withdraw responsibly from the country. Those conditions for the strategy need to be flexible and adapted to the realities on the ground in Haiti. In that respect, we would refer to paragraph 17 of the annex to the report of the Secretary-General. We have some doubts about the usefulness of projecting figures involving uniformed personnel, and their budgetary implications, on the basis of hypothetical scenarios. Therefore, we would appreciate more information about the criteria used to propose a 30 per cent drawdown, since the implementation of such a proposal could be premature in relation to the realities on the ground. We make this point because we deem it very important that MINUSTAH be provided with adequate resources to fulfil its mandate. Likewise, we think that there is a sequence that must be corrected with regard to the mandate of MINUSTAH, since the budget is approved in May and the mandate is renewed in October. A more logical approach would be for the mandate to determine the budget, and not the other way around. With the consolidation plan still under development and as we cannot be certain of electoral logistical requirements, we trust that there will not be any further reductions in the number of uniformed personnel. Finally, we believe that progress in Haiti will depend on the convergence of several factors: adequate resources; the effective leadership of MINUSTAH; and the political will of Haiti, the country hosting, and benefiting from the support of, the Mission. We deem the latter — the political will and the political efforts of the Haitian Government — the most important. If the necessary basis for such convergence is lacking, then any involvement of the United Nations will face major obstacles, both in terms of achieving success and of maintaining a secure environment. Guatemala is proud to have been part of MINUSTAH since its inception, and we will continue our commitment to the people and the Government of Haiti as long as necessary.

Allow me also to thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nigel Fisher, for his briefing to the Council and for his commitment at the head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), whose significant work we commend. Luxembourg associates itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union. Over the three years since the tragic earthquake of January 2010, Haitians have begun the long and difficult reconstruction of their country with the support of the international community and the United Nations. Significant progress has been made. The number of displaced persons living in camps has decreased by 77 per cent. Rebuilding has moved forward thanks also to the activity of the MINUSTAH military engineering units and the many quick-implementation projects led by the Mission. Thanks to the combined work of MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police, characterized by greater information-sharing and an increased number of joint operations, the security situation has stabilized. On the political front, the President and the elected Government have been able to take up their functions. However, as the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/139) notes that, over the past six months, the stabilization process has encountered many difficulties. The country again suffered serious damage in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The socioeconomic situation continues to be characterized by poverty, which affects three-quarters of the population. The human rights situation leaves much to be desired. Despite the praiseworthy work of the MINUSTAH child protection team, many forms of violence, including sexual violence, have been perpetrated against children. We also note with concern the reference in the Secretary- General’s report to the recruitment of children by armed gangs in Cité Soleil. Building the rule of law is moving forward with difficulty. In that regard, the appearance of former President Jean-Claude Duvalier before the Court of Appeal in Port-au-Prince on 28 February was a significant test. As the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, recalled, the State has the obligation to ensure that there is no impunity for the serious human rights violations perpetrated in the past. The continuing differences between the executive power and the opposition parliamentarians continue to affect the country negatively. That structural paralysis of the institutions is certainly one of the root causes of the problems facing Haiti today. The holding of elections, initially set for 2012, is essential in order to move forward the necessary reforms. I can only echo the Secretary-General, who urgently calls on the Haitian authorities “to spare no effort in ensuring a free and fair environment for the holding of credible and inclusive elections as soon as possible”. (S/2013/139, para. 61) Following the agreement of 24 December 2012, it is crucial to finalize the establishment of the temporary Electoral Council so as to launch an electoral process that has been too long in coming. Luxembourg remains committed to helping Haiti to overcome the challenges linked to the humanitarian situation and the reconstruction of the country. The commitments that we undertook in 2010 will be honoured and we encourage the international community to remain fully mobilized. Food security is worsening. A high number of children under 5 continue to suffer from malnutrition. The scourge of cholera continues to claim victims and requires decisive action as the rainy season approaches. In that regard, we commend the initiative to eliminate cholera launched by the Secretary-General on 11 December 2012. The international community has the moral responsibility to help the affected population. In conclusion, I would like to affirm Luxembourg’s support for the conditions-based consolidation plan for the stabilization of Haiti, which provides for focusing MINUSTAH’s efforts on a limited number of core tasks, achievable in four areas within a reasonable time frame. They are police training, electoral capacity-building, the rule of law and human rights, and governance. However, we would like to underscore, as indicated in the plan, that such objectives can be achieved only by Haitian officials being even more resolutely committed to working for the good of the country and with a long- term partnership between the international community and Haiti. In that connection, we commend the integrated strategic framework for 2013-2016, drawn up by the United Nations and the Haitian Government. We hope that it will soon lead to tangible developments.

I, too, would like to thank Mr. Fisher, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for presenting the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/139). I express our support to him for the success of his task. I welcome the presence of Mr. Fernando Carrera Castro, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, at this debate. As we have seen over the past months, the Republic of Haiti remains vulnerable, in particular with regard to climate. While the country continues to struggle against the devastating effects of the 2010 earthquake, it has suffered in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and tropical storm Isaac, which affected more than 2 million people. Moreover, three years after the 2010 earthquake, it is clearly noticeable that the international community’s humanitarian support in Haiti is diminishing despite the fact that the stabilization process has not yet been finalized. This quarterly debate of the Council on the developing situation in Haiti should enable us to draw attention to the various plans and strategies under way that are not always supported by adequately funding from the international community. We must ensure that the achievements of these past years are sustained. On the political front, Morocco welcomes the many positive developments towards finalizing the necessary institutional reforms to strengthen the rule of law in Haiti. At the same time, as the Secretary-General notes, complications linked to establishing the temporary body of the Permanent Electoral Council continue to push back the date for the legislative, local and municipal elections — a phase that remains crucial. On the security front, the situation remains stable despite an increase in demonstrations and some civil disputes. In the light of the consolidation plan and the gradual drawdown of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) troops, we must continue to underscore in parallel the strengthening of the police force. In that connection, we commend the increased effectiveness of the Haitian National Police, which continues to build its capacities with the support of MINUSTAH. Moreover, the rate of recruitment could be significantly sped up in order to achieve the objectives of the 2012-2016 plan, namely, incraeasing the force to 15,000 police officers. With regard to the humanitarian situation, despite the fact that the number of people living in the camps continues to fall, partly thanks to the programmes launched by the Government with United Nations support, the Secretary-General’s report notes with concern the worsening humanitarian situation in the country. With the withdrawal of more than half of the non-governmental organizations present in 2010 and many partners following the fall in available funding, the provision of basic services in the camps has considerably lessened. That is further exacerbated by the risk of a food crisis, which cannot be ignored, all the more since the recent Hurricane Sandy had a significant impact on the country’s agricultural land. Combating the risk of food insecurity is, moreover, a core aspect of the humanitarian plan for 2013, which requires $144 million in funding. Another key aspect of that plan is the fight against cholera and better sanitary conditions. Despite a decrease in the number of infected persons, there is a real risk of a new outbreak since the departure of many humanitarian groups and the lack of financial resources prevent the existing infrastructure from functioning. In order to optimize MINUSTAH’s presence in line with the country’s needs, while keeping in mind the transition phase of the Mission, a consolidation plan for its withdrawal must be drawn up. We thank the Secretariat for the report’s annex, which clearly present a concise and strategic version of that plan, which holistically addresses the main difficulties still to be overcome. I should like to revert to one of the essential elements that will affect of the withdrawal schedule of MINUSTAH, which is the ability of the Haitian National Police to guarantee security throughout the country. We are encouraged by the fact that the various operations under way to respond to the recent resurgence of organized crime are being led by the National Police, with the support of the Mission’s police and military components. We call on MINUSTAH to maintain its support in order to ensure that the Haitian National Police attains the objectives set down in the consolidation plan. We also welcome MINUSTAH’s support in other key security sectors, such as capacity- building in the judiciary and penal sectors. Morocco has always stood by Haiti and its people. Morocco is committed to continuing to help the country to strengthen its capacities and build a prosperous future. More than three years after the terrible earthquake that shook the country, we welcome the efforts undertaken by the Haitian authorities in various key areas for the reconstruction and stabilization of the country. The support and assistance of the international community and the United Nations remain essential to allowing Haiti to restore normalcy and meet the aspirations of its people.

Allow me to thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Fisher, for his briefing. The security situation in Haiti has been stable of late. The development and reconstruction process has moved forward. China welcomes the Haitian Government’s successful hosting of an intersessional meeting of the Caribbean Community in February. At the same time, Haiti faces political, economic and humanitarian difficulties and still has much to do to return to the path of development. To that end, Haiti needs the international community’s support. We hope that the Haitian Government and the international community, as well as the Haitian political parties, will pursue the democratic process through reconciliation so as to guarantee the smooth conduct of free, fair and credible elections by 2014 and to consolidate the country’s acheivements to date. Hurricane Sandy ravaged Haiti, but the country is also encountering difficulties in improving living conditions, creating employment and promoting sustainable development. We call on the international community to pay close attention to the reconstruction efforts in Haiti, uphold its aid commitments, and improve the effectiveness of assistance so as to contribute constructively to the rebuilding and development of the country. China supports the Secretary-General’s initiative to eradicate cholera in Haiti. We welcome the efforts and contributions of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti to peace and stability in the country. We note the consolidation plan 2013-2016 for MINUSTAH, submitted by the Secretary-General, and we hope that MINUSTAH will continue to carry out its Security Council mandate by helping Haiti to move forward with the political process, maintaining the security and stability of the country, and bolstering the rule of law and institutional stability. Regarding the Mission’s drawdown, we need to hear the views of the various parties involved so as to better guide this process.

I thank Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Fisher for his briefing. At our last Security Council discussion of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in October 2012 (see S/PV.6842), I was cautiously optimistic about progress in Haiti and noted the important contribution that MINUSTAH had made to that progress. I tempered that with concern about politicial inertia blighting the decision-making necessary to the country’s development. Since then, we note that some important steps have been taken. In particular, the uniformed component of MINUSTAH has been reduced without any negative impact on the overall security and stability of the country, and MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan has focused the Mission’s activities on a number of core objectives. The final aim of the consolidation plan is for Haiti to have sufficient capacity to tackle its challenges itself. If the Government of Haiti takes the necessary concrete steps, we believe that that goal is attainable. Notwithstanding this progress, there are two important areas of concern where we do need to see urgent progress. The first is the political situation. Political fragility is the most likely source of instability for Haiti. Efforts to support the political process must continue to be a priority. The appointment of a permanent electoral council will be a crucial step towards securing future stability. This needs to be completed quickly so that the long-overdue Senate and local elections can take place. It is vital that the permanent electoral council be able to act independently and that it be given the funding to do so. The second area of concern is security, and specifically the capacity and capability of the Police. We continue to believe that building the capacity of the Haitian National Police, both operational and institutional, should be MINUSTAH’s highest priority. Therefore, we are concerned to see that recruitment to the Haitian National Police is below the levels required to meet the target of 15,000 police officers by 2016. We would be interested in understanding why this is the case. Is there a lack of volunteers? Is it because the training infrastructure needs to be improved, or is it that MINUSTAH is not giving sufficient priority to the task? If recruitment and training continue at the current rate, how far below the target would we be in 2016? What annual recruitment rate is now going to be required to hit the target, and is that realistic and achievable? We urge MINUSTAH to focus its resources on this effort in order to support the recently adopted Haitian National Police development plan. The Haitian National Police must also meet appropriate human rights standards if it is to win the confidence of the Haitian people. Effective oversight, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption will all be essential. The National Police should be able to rely on the support of all political parties. Capacity-building in the justice sector, regionally and at the institutional level, is also necessary to complement the development of the police. We call on the public authorities to fulfil their constitutional obligations and duties, including the efficient and transparent operation of the judicial process, with no impunity, and an improvement in the management of the prison service. In conclusion, MINUSTAH continues to achieve some encouraging results, but we have outlined two areas of concern — politics and police recruitment — that must be addressed. I would welcome the views of the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General on those points.

I thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Fisher, for his intervention. I endorse the statements to be given by the observer of the European Union and the representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends. I share the doubts that were just expressed by my British colleague on the topics of elections and the police. At our most recent debate in October (see S/PV.6842), I noted the progress that had been made on the political and institutional levels. Unfortunately, the Secretary General’s report before us today (S/2013/139) reminds us that not all the hopes we had formed have materialized. I would especially like to recall the words of the press statement issued by the Council on 28 January adopted by this same Council on January 28. The local and partial legislative elections have been postponed for too long. I1 is essential that they be held this year and that they be free, inclusive and credible. We call on all parties concerned to appoint without delay all members of the transitional board of the permanent electoral council. We are also concerned by other information contained in the report on the proliferation of contested appointments, recent statements concerning the freedom of the press, and more generally systemic deficiencies in the area of human rights. We also note the relatively disappointing economic and fiscal forecasts that, coupled with difficulties related to climate — as noted by a number of my colleagues — may also explain the alarming multiplication of demonstrations of an economic and social character. MINUSTAH has provided Haiti with 10 years of relative calm without political violence. However, this calm, in large part due to the deterrent presence of the Mission, does not reflect real, fundamental progress allowing the Haitian National Police to ensure security and stability on its own. We support the guidelines proposed by the Haitian authorities for the period 2012 to 2016, including the goal of increasing the number of police officers from 10,000 to 15,000. However, there is reason to doubt how realistic that goal is. MINUSTAH must remain engaged in that collective effort. Lastly, we support the commitment of the United Nations and the Secretary-General’s personal efforts to help Haiti eradicate cholera. We believe that is not an unattainable goal. We also think that, in the short term, that could include the targeted measures on which we are currently working with the Haitian authorities. MINUSTAH must continue to adapt to developments in the situation, both in terms of nature and scope, so as to fulfil its dual objective, namely, to contribute to the maintenance of peace as well as to promoting Haitian national ownership by strengthening the rule of law and its major instruments, that is, the police and justice sectors. Obviously, we must avoid a hasty departure of the Mission. However, the indefinite continuation of a peacekeeping mission of this magnitude is not an option either. The departure of MINUSTAH should not be a taboo, but that prospect should serve as a catalyst. We must define and create the conditions for its success. When must contemplate a withdrawal date, along with a desired end result and a post-MINUSTAH presence for the United Nations. In that regard, we welcome the consolidation plan set out in the report of the Secretary-General. That plan provides for the Mission a credible time horizon, for we owe Haitians clarity as to what we can achieve in a reasonable time frame. We fully endorse the four priority areas that have been identified, as well as an approach based on metrics for calibrating the evolution of the Mission. I should like to conclude by commending МINUSTAH staff for their dedication. I also commend the Acting Special Representative for his energetic efforts in this period of transition in the Mission.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate. I also thank Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Fisher for his briefing on the situation in Haiti. I would like to convey Australia’s deep gratitude to all the staff of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for their hard work in consolidating stability in Haiti. We acknowledge the efforts made towards recovery and stabilization in Haiti over recent years, in particular in the face of a range of complex challenges and the impact of natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storm Isaac. In order to address the difficult challenges ahead, it is vital that Haiti build, with the continued support of the international community, a system of Government that functions effectively and can build the capacities of the country, and thereby serves the needs of the Haitian population. In that context, we share the concern expressed by the Secretary-General and others about the ongoing political stalemate in Haiti, including in the establishment of the provisional electoral council. The stalemate erodes confidence in the political system, could undermine the prospects for making further development gains and could potentially undermine the valuable progress achieved so far. Credible, free and fair elections in 2013 are critical for Haiti’s recovery, reconstruction and development. We urge that there be progress in appointing members to the provisional electoral council, so that partial legislative, municipal and local elections can be organized and then a permanent electoral council established. Acknowledging the close link between political stability and economic development, we welcome Prime Minister Lamothe’s statement that Haiti is open for business. But we note that political stability will strengthen that prospect. The support that MINUSTAH is providing to prepare for elections must continue, including the technical assistance provided to electoral council staff. However, responsibility for overcoming the political impasse rests with Haiti’s leaders themselves and will require new patterns of political consensus-building across key issues. While we welcome the overall stable security situation, the marked increase in major crimes in the second half of last year is a concern. Efforts to support the protection of vulnerable groups in Haiti therefore remain an important part of the work of MINUSTAH. In particular, as others have mentioned, sexual and gender- based violence continues to have a devastating impact on vulnerable groups, particularly women and children in impoverished districts, displaced persons camps and remote areas. It is important that the capacity of both the Haitian National Police and the judicial system be built to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence. More broadly, a functional legal system is vital to ensuring accountability, upholding human rights and delivering access to justice — and to building confidence among citizens in the institutions of the State. We support the Secretary-General’s proposal to develop a national justice development plan to strengthen the rule of law and build judicial capacity. Although there has been a drop in cholera infection rates, we remain concerned about the epidemic and the increasing cholera mortality rates. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, Australia we wre pleased to contribute to the the Caribbean Community progreamme for the provision of drinking water, sanitation, et cetera for Haitians at risk from cholera. We strongly support the Secretary-General’s initiative for the elimination of cholera in Haiti and the leadership of Dr. Paul Farmer as his Special Adviser. We welcome the work that is beeing done to develop a plan for MINUSTAH’s reconfiguration and conditions-based consolidation, as well as the inclusion of the consolidation plan in the annex to the Secretary- General’s report (S/2013/139). The definition of core tasks for the Mission will enable it to take forward its work in partnership with Haitian authorities in areas in which it can have the most positive impact. In our view, the four areas of focus constitute an appropriate consolidation of MINUSTAH’s efforts. An important aspect in taking forward the plan will be to identify and review appropriate measures for assessing progress against key benchmarks, especially as we continue to review MINUSTAH’s mandate and force levels. Policing is particularly important, as is often the case with stabilization missions — in this case, building the capacity of the National Police to gradually assume full responsibility for security throughout the country. We recognize the joint efforts of the international community and MINUSTAH in assisting the Haitian National Police to meet major benchmarks set out in its five-year development plan. Creating durable and transformative change such as that being undertaken by Haiti takes time. Strengthening institutions and establishing good governance to the stage of providing security, justice and jobs and breaking cycles of poverty and violence is a long-term effort. The challenge for the international community, therefore, is to sustain its collaboration with Haiti. The recent finalization of the integrated strategic framework for 2013 to 2016 between the United Nations system and the Haitian Government is a very welcome step forward in that continuing partnership. We welcome the alignment of the framework with Haiti’s strategic development plan, and we encourage the continued close collaboration between MINUSTAH, the United Nations system, the Haitian Government and Haiti’s other international partners to ensure a congruence of focus and effort.

I wish, like other delegations, to thank Mr. Nigel Fisher for his presentation of the interim report (S/2013/139) on the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH). I also congratulate him on his appointment as Acting Head of Mission and assure him of the full support of my country in the performance of its new duties. I shall focus my statement on the security, political and humanitarian situations. Efforts in the security sector have been among the achievements of the cooperation between the Haitian Government and MINUSTAH. The Secretary- General’s report indicates that the security situation remained stable despite the upsurge in civil unrest and a rise in crime. My country welcomes that stability and urges the Haitian authorities to continue the process of strengthening the operational capacity and modernization of the National Police, as well as to effectively fight against armed gangs, which are the main sources of insecurity in the country. We therefore welcome the adoption by the Council of the National Police development plan for the period 2012 to 2016, which defines the strategic vision, objectives and means for implementation. We encourage Haiti’s partners to continue to support the country so that the funding gap is bridged in order to allow for the achievement of all the objectives. We also call upon the competent authorities to carry out crime prevention and repression efforts in strict observance of the rule of law. In that regard, we encourage them to continue with the modernization of the legal and institutional framework of the security, judicial and penal sectors. However, we remain concerned by the gender-based and sexual violence highlighted in the report, especially against children. We commend the work undertaken by MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police aimed at raising awareness among potential victims of the remedies available to them. With respect to the political situation, Togo welcomes the progress achieved by Haiti in stabilizing and building the rule of law, even though the positive dynamic set in motion last year by the Haitian political class might have led one to expect much more significant progress. Parliament’s approval, in May 2012, of the appointment of Mr. Laurent Lamothe as Prime Minister, which put an end to months of political crisis, the enactment of constitutional amendments that had been pending since June 2011 and the establishment of the Superior Council of the Judiciary should pave the way to an end to the crisis. All of those events seemed to indicate that the political partisan divisions of the Haitian political class had been overcome and a collective commitment had been undertaken to quickly organize elections, thereby making it possible to gauge the true democratic progress achieved in Haiti. Unfortunately, that dynamic was slowed by the failure of the political class to come to an understanding on the composition and designation of the institution that would organize the elections. In that regard, we applaud the work carried out by the Religions pour la paix coalition, which led the representatives of the executive branch and Parliament to sign, on 24 December 2012, an agreement on the modalities establishing a temporary electoral council. We welcome the information provided on the designation of the members of the three branches of Government that will have a seat in that body — an important step towards the holding of elections in Haiti. We welcome the commitments undertaken by the President of the Republic and the National Assembly on 14 January, at the opening of the Assembly’s first ordinary session of the legislative year, to organize free partial legislative, municipal and local elections this year and to see to it that the country takes responsibility for over half of the electoral budget. In that regard, we urge all Haitian political stakeholders to work on the basis of consensus so that preparations for the elections can be undertaken and the latter can take place in an inclusive and transparent manner. Moreover, Togo calls on Haitian authorities to continue the necessary reforms to restore the State’s legal framework, establish and strengthen public institutions and improve their people’s lives. The humanitarian situation in Haiti remains a source of serious concern for my country. With the gradual withdrawal of humanitarian agencies, the living conditions in the camps, where there is still a very high number of internally displaced persons, continue to deteriorate. The Secretary-General’s report also notes that there was a significant decrease in the provision of basic services owing to a decrease in the level of funds available, and Togo fears a return of the cholera epidemic, the beginnings of which have already been announced. My country therefore calls on the international community to further help the Haitian authorities to invest in the provision of drinking water and sanitation infrastructure in order to counter the resurgence of the epidemic. My country believes that, in the absence of clear legal responsibility incumbent upon it, the United Nations should continue to fulfil its moral responsibility to help the Haitian authorities to eradicate that disease, the source of which is well known. I would like to conclude by calling upon the entire political class and people of Haiti to face the significant obstacles and challenges before them in terms of improving governance in their country, stimulating growth and reducing poverty in order to stop the fruitless political infighting that impedes their country’s path towards progress. My country believes that the international community should remain at Haiti’s side, but that it is up to Haitians themselves to face their own challenges and find the most appropriate solutions to them. To that end, their political institutions and structures responsible for upholding the rule of law must be reinforced, and the electoral process must be free, transparent, peaceful, credible and legitimate in order to contribute to the consolidation of democracy in the country. Finally, my country hopes that the plan for restructuring and reorganizing MINUSTAH and its activities and its progressive withdrawal from Haiti will, rather than weakening support to the Haiti, contribute to refocusing its efforts on the areas of priority interest to the country.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. We thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nigel Fisher, for his briefing on the situation in Haiti. Overall, in spite of the country having recently been put to the test, its Government and people, with the active support of the international community, have been able to progressively stabilize the situation. Unfortunately, the political process in Haiti continues to be shaky. There has been rising political rhetoric recently, which certainly has not served to eliminate the differences between the executive branch and Parliament. An important step in achieving stability and moving towards democracy could be the holding of partial parliamentary and municipal elections. We hope that the Government will continue to work on the process for national dialogue and hold elections this year. The United Nations must provide all the necessary support to Haiti’s electoral process. All political forces in the country should demonstrate the utmost calm and restraint and resolve disputes exclusively through legal mechanisms. We were concerned to learn that the situation with respect to crime in the country continues to be troublesome. It is clear that stabilization is impossible without putting an end to violence, ensuring that the rights of all citizens are upheld and effectively combating organized crime and corruption. Without a doubt, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti plays a leading role in all of those areas, as underscored in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/139). Peacekeepers have much work to do in vigorously and dynamically assisting the Government. In the future, Haiti must continue to be supported in enhancing the rule of law and law enforcement so that, in the end, security is ensured by the national forces alone. The social, economic and humanitarian situations continue to be of concern. Along those lines, there must be active participation by United Nations funds and programmes in the rebuilding of the country, peacebuilding activities and coordination among donors. It is worrisome that, in spite of large-scale international assistance, the cholera epidemic has not yet been eradicated. While the number of cases are falling, they still remain numerous. In that respect, we welcome the active and sustainable results-based initiatives of the Secretary-General to combat that illness. With respect to the consolidation plan for the Mission, we feel that the basic criteria for adjustments to the mandate and configuration must continue to be based on the actual security situation. That is directly tied with the level of readiness of the National Police. On the whole, we support the Secretary-General’s proposal to focus the mandate of the Mission on a number of objectives that could be successfully attained over the course of four or five years. However, we must recognize that the announced goals and measurement indicators are ambitious and require future discussion among Council members. We agree that the internal political mechanisms in Haiti are of the utmost importance at this time. Currently, without them, security, stability and sustainable development cannot be achieved, and therefore no changes can be made to the configuration of the Mission. The current situation shows that the Haitian Government and the international community — in particular the United Nations — face a host of complex challenges in resolving crucial peacebuilding issues for the country, such as achieving national consensus and consolidating society, including on the humanitarian and economic fronts. The Haitian Government must play a leading role. It bears responsibility for the effective implementation of international assistance and must play an active role in coordinating that assistance. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

Allow me to begin by thanking the President of the Council for having convened this debate. I welcome the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/139), and I congratulate his Acting Special Representative for his briefing. I also thank the various speakers for their constructive comments. Today’s debate in the Council, five months after the adoption of resolution 2070 (2012), allows us to take stock of the progress made in Haiti and the main challenges that remain. Along those lines, it is important to briefly recall the strategic guidelines and core objectives of the Government’s activities. First, on the humanitarian front, for the Haitian authorities it was a matter of facing emergency issues, in particular the situation of those made homeless by the earthquake, as well as to launch far-reaching projects to rebuild the country based on six core priorities, namely, education, employment, the rule of law, the environment, energy and children. In that respect, the objective is to place the country sustainably and irreversibly on the path of development. Today it is clear that Haiti has made significant progress. On the humanitarian front, as noted in the report, between 2010 and early 2013, thanks to the Government’s measures and the backing of the United Nations and other humanitarian partners, 1,178,000 displaced people have been resettled. That represents a basic reduction of 77 per cent of the homeless population in terms of the initial figures. In combating cholera, despite a reoccurrence in some parts of the country, the results of cross-cutting efforts are encouraging. Cholera-related mortality was reduced from 5.3 per cent in 2010 to 1.2 per cent by the end of 2012. The cholera prevalence of 43 cases per 1,000 in 2011 was reduced to 6 cases per 1,000 in 2012. The initiative of the Secretary-General to create a fund to combat cholera in Haiti and his appointment of Dr. Paul Farmer are most welcome in that regard. More generally, measures taken in various domains are beginning to bear fruit. With respect to education, the Government has enrolled more than 1 million children through its universal education programme, with the assistance of funds-transfer programmes, and is guaranteeing that mothers receive cash stipends in order to motivate them to keep their children in school and out of the work place. Economically speaking, measures undertaken have led to stabilization of the macroeconomic situation, attracting foreign investors and combating unemployment. They have resulted in thousands of jobs and increasingly promising economic prospects. In that context, Caracol Industrial Park in the north of the country — one of the largest of the Caribbean — was inaugurated and could create 20,000 direct jobs and up to 60,000 indirect jobs. Moreover, it should be noted that the Government has considerably increased public spending to rebuild roads, airports, public buildings and housing projects,, thereby creating immediate employment. In the area of the rule of law, mindful that the independence of the judiciary is a sine qua non for establishing a culture of the rule of law, the Martelly- Lamothe Government has set up the Superior Council of the Judiciary and filled vacancies in the Supreme Court, which is the country’s highest level court. Additional measures were undertaken to train judicial staff, increase the number of prisons, combat prolonged pretrial detention and increase the number of peace tribunals. All of those initiatives aim to guarantee respect for and the protection of human rights. In the area of State reform, the Government is reforming public administration through its State reform framework, which was launched last October to cover the five years from 2012 to 2017. The programme was established following an observed lack of effectiveness in the public administration’s service to the public. It must therefore be modernized to improve its public service capacity. With respect to corruption, the Government has strengthened existing bodies by providing them with the necessary funding. Therefore, due to the efforts of the Anti-Corruption Unit, more than 200 State officials implicated in an embezzlement affair involving funds for universal education were arrested and prosecuted. On the political front, my delegation notes the concerns expressed with regard to delays in following the electoral calendar for convening interim legislative elections and municipal and local elections. We reaffirm the firmly expressed will of the Government to work to achieve those milestones as quickly as possibly based on the utmost honesty and transparency and strict adherence to democratic norms. In that vein, the Government hails the recent appointment of three parliamentary representatives to the permanent electoral council, which will organize the elections in order to fill the one third of vacancies in the Senate and establish the local authorities. Those are important elements of democratic governance that the President and the Prime Minister are seeking to advance. On the security front, the situation has generally improved greatly, thanks to the efforts of the Haitian National Police, supported by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). According to some studies, Haiti had 8 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2012, which represents a much lower rate as compared to other countries of the region, which had 25 per 100,000 inhabitants. The security situation is therefore satisfactory. The striking success of the twenty-first summit of the heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community, which took place in February in Port- au-Prince, was highly important to the Haitian Government. All of those facts represent that wide differences exist between perception and reality. The Government will therefore continue its efforts to maximize security throughout the country. The Haitian National Police development plan for 2012-2016 stipulates a progressive increase from 10,000 to 15,000 members in 2016, and will further professionalize the institution and bolster its operational capacities. In that regard, my delegation welcomes MINUSTAH’s work and supports its draft 2013-2016 consolidation plan. We also take the opportunity to thank all of the countries contributing troops to MINUSTAH. On the social front, the Haitian Government, with the help of many international organizations, including the World Bank and UNICEF, has launched many social programmes aimed at creating a social safety net in the country. Those programmes have helped to alleviate the situation of many families facing extreme poverty. Despite those tangible steps forward, many challenges remain. There are many humanitarian and structural issues involving development in Haiti. Allow me to highlight two of them. The first concerns the funding of reconstruction and development programmes and projects as defined by the Government. That remains the core issue in tackling emergency situations, such as the displaced persons camps, food and security, as well as more general matters of reconstruction. Resource mobilization is therefore crucial. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank the main donor countries and to reiterate our call to them to continue to demonstrate their generosity and understanding to Haiti, in order to contribute over the long term to the country’s reconstruction. The second challenge is the matter of the country’s vulnerability in terms of natural disasters. Without improved consideration of that problem, reconstruction tasks cannot be appropriately addressed. Finally, the Haitian Government’s core objective is to sustainably and irreversibly set the country on the path of development, as a precondition to the lasting improvement of its people’s living conditions. The Government possesses the necessary political will and is mindful that Haitian stakeholders must be the real motors of those ambitious objectives. However, we also understand that given the limited resources of our country, we require the genuine and effective support of our international partners to attain our goals. The Government therefore renews its commitment to work hand in hand with its partners and with the Council.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

I thank you, Sir, for organizing this important debate. I also thank Mr. Nigel Fisher for his briefing and for his excellent work as Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Interim Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). I appreciate the contribution just made by the Ambassador of Haiti, Mr. Gaspar, and I welcome the participation of Mr. Fernando Carrera Castro, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, in our debate. Brazil values the concept of a consolidation plan that foresees the conditions for a sustainable transition of the current United Nations presence in Haiti, in line with the security situation on the ground. We agree that the tasks performed today by MINUSTAH should be progressively transferred to the Haitian authorities, as the development of national capacities allows. We also support the concept that troop levels should be adjusted as MINUSTAH prepares to gradually disengage. Nevertheless, financial considerations must not be the driving force behind the reduction of the United Nations presence in Haiti. Although we understand the current financial constraints, the situation on the ground and the assessment of the Haitian Government’s ability to assume responsibilities should be the decisive factors in determining the level and nature of the future United Nations presence in Haiti. If we allow financial needs to dictate the pace of transition, we will deviate from the responsible and controlled exit strategy to which the Security Council is committed. MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan must be owned by Haitians as a platform for the development of critical capacities. It must entail a true partnership around key common objectives. Moreover, it must ensure that when the time comes for transferring responsibilities, international partners, agencies, funds, programmes and, more important, the Haitian Government, will come together in a coherent strategy and that the support and resources needed will be provided. That is especially important with regard to the Haitian National Police (HNP). We welcome the Haitian commitment to the strengthening of the HNP and to adjusting its recruitment process to the objective of having 15,000 police officers by 2016. Likewise, the appropriate organization by Haiti of the upcoming elections is a fundamental step in the country’s efforts to fully exert its institutional and political responsibilities. In that connection, too, sustained international support is needed. Strengthening the rule of law, democracy and human rights are also central areas to consolidating stability. Let us not forget, however, that economic growth with job creation and social inclusion is an absolutely essential dimension of stability in Haiti. It is the first priority that must continue to guide the international approach to the situation in the country. International engagement remains key to the development, in an integrated manner, of critical capacities in those core areas. Brazil renews its long- term commitment to Haiti in that regard. Our sister nation of Haiti has made important strides in its quest for recovery from one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time. Yet, Haiti’s resilience was again put to a test. The impact of the last hurricane season and rising living costs compound a very difficult scenario, which still requires the sustained attention of the international community. It is widely accepted that, in spite of the progress achieved, a lot remains to be done. In that connection, it is troubling that, due to financial constraints, important international partners are pulling out their assistance to the country, even in the face of worrying humanitarian needs. That trend is not in line with MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan laid out in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2013/139) before us. In fact, it contradicts one of its fundamental assumptions. Only through an active, permanent effort to mobilize the necessary resources to fill the spaces progressively left open by MINUSTAH will the consolidation plan succeed. As a true partnership, in full respect of Haiti’s sovereignty, the consolidation strategy also envisages steps that can only be decided upon by Haitians themselves. Those steps, in turn, need an environment of cooperation and commitment to the highest interests of the Haitian population and to a fully functional political system. We are confident that all Haitian political actors will continue to pursue dialogue and democratic consolidation. As recognized by the Security Council and by the Group of Friends of Haiti last January, the holding of local and legislative elections is a fundamental step in Haiti’s path to peace, stability and development. Brazil expects that the Haitian leadership will heed that call and take the necessary measures to ensure the organization of elections in the shortest possible time frame. We note recent efforts and constructive initiatives to move the political process forward, and we encourage further steps in that direction. We remain confident in the Haitian ability to craft the necessary consensus to navigate through the complexities of the process, with a view to creating the conditions for further cooperation, investment and institutional consolidation. The Haitian Government and people can continue to count on Brazil’s unwavering engagement and solidarity.

I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United States of America, France, Guatemala, Peru and my own country, Uruguay. I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate to discuss the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/139) on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The Group of Friends welcomes today’s presence of the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Interim Head of MINUSTAH, Mr. Nigel Fisher. We thank him for his comprehensive briefing and for taking responsibility for the Mission in this crucial period. The Group would also like to express its gratitude and recognition to Ambassador Mariano Fernández Amunátegui for his dedicated work as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti and Head of MINUSTAH. The strengthening of the rule of law and democratic institutions, the establishment of a political culture conducive to consensus-building and the improvement of socioeconomic conditions are key elements to achieve greater and sustainable stability and prosperity in Haiti. In that regard, the Group of Friends of Haiti strongly encourages all political actors in Haiti to deepen their dialogue and cooperation towards their country’s democratic consolidation. The Group reiterates the importance of the timely realization, with MINUSTAH’s assistance, of free, transparent and fair partial legislative, municipal and local elections. They constitute an essential and urgent step towards lasting stability, recovery and development in Haiti. The effective establishment of the country’s Electoral Council will constitute a major milestone in that process. In that regard, the Group of Friends looks forward to positive developments related to the appointment, as soon as possible, of members of a transitional college of the permanent Electoral Council. The Group of Friends of Haiti recognizes the critical role of MINUSTAH in ensuring stability and security in Haiti and commends MINUSTAH for continuing to assist the Government of Haiti to ensure a secure and stable environment. The Group of Friends notes that the overall security situation in Haiti has remained relatively stable since the previous report of the Secretary-General (S/2012/678), although it was marked by an increase in civil unrest and serious crimes. That has allowed MINUSTAH to implement the drawdown established in resolution 2070 (2012) without undermining the security and stability of Haiti. The Group welcomes the submission of a concise version of the MINUSTAH consolidation plan 2013- 2016, which has been discussed with the Government of Haiti and which includes a description of the scope of the conditions-based consolidation plan, the risks and challenges, a core set of mandated tasks that the Mission should focus on with the respective benchmarks, and the continuation of the work of consolidation of its substantive, security and support pillars, all with the objective of allowing the Haitian authorities to gradually assume their fundamental responsibilities for their country’s future. The Group of Friends reiterates the importance of the commitment by the Government of Haiti to strengthen the rule of law and to make further progress in security sector reform. In that regard, the Group would like to emphasize the critical role the Haitian National Police plays in Haiti’s security and stability and to stress the importance of completing the ongoing strengthening, professionalization and reform of the police force in order to enable it to assume full responsibility for the country’s security. The Group of Friends of Haiti reiterates its commitment to the zero-tolerance policy of the United Nations towards sexual exploitation and abuse. In that regard we expect all United Nations personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. The Group urges all actors involved to take responsibility for ensuring that such cases are prevented, allegations investigated and those to blame held accountable. The Group welcomes the significant progress made in 2012 in the resettlement of persons displaced by the 2010 earthquake. However, we are also concerned about the deterioration of living conditions in the remaining camps and about the situation of women and children in particular, an example of the humanitarian challenges that Haiti continues to face. The Group of Friends is aware of the continuing efforts being made by the Government of Haiti, MINUSTAH and others to protect vulnerable groups, but also notes with concern the need to improve the response of the criminal justice sector to rape complaints and serious crimes against children. We therefore call urgently for increased efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women and children. These and other challenges, such as the ongoing efforts to eliminate the cholera epidemic, remind us of the importance of maintaining cooperation between the international community and the Government of Haiti in order to meet the needs of the Haitian people. In that regard, the Group of Friends of Haiti acknowledges the efforts of the donor community and asks its members to fulfil the pledges they have made without delay. The Group of Friends of Haiti understands that security, development and stability are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing. We therefore underscore the importance of addressing the issue of unemployment and the delivery of basic social services in a meaningful way. At the same time, the Group points out that there can be no genuine stability or sustainable development in Haiti without strengthening democratic institutions and a credible democratic process. In that context, the Group emphasizes the importance of promoting the rule of law by strengthening Haitian institutions, and further reaffirms MINUSTAH’s responsibility for supporting the Haitian State in the areas of good governance, the expansion of State authority and the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with its mandate. Finally, the Group of Friends reaffirms its solidarity with and commitment to the people and Government of Haiti in their pursuit of stability, reconstruction, recovery, socioeconomic development and democratic consolidation. We support and salute the women and men of MINUSTAH for their dedication and tireless efforts to promote recovery and stability in Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Chile.

My delegation is grateful for the organization of this debate, and we welcome the presence today of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala. We also thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Mr. Nigel Fisher, for his briefing, and would like to particularly acknowledge Ambassador Mariano Fernández Amunátegui for his recent stint at the helm of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Chile associates itself with the statement just delivered by the Permanent Representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. In 2012 we witnessed significant milestones in the ongoing process in Haiti: Parliament’s ratification of the new Government, the appointment of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the publication of the amendments to the Haitian Constitution all deserve the recognition of the international community. Similarly, initiatives such as the implementation of Haiti’s strategic development plan, the new cooperation mechanism and the strategic development plan of the Haitian National Police for 2012-2016 are also pertinent examples of this ongoing process. Such progress notwithstanding, there are areas in which improvements must be made, and urgently, in strengthening institutions, consolidating the rule of law and improving the people’s socioeconomic situation — all elements that are essential to ensuring the security, stability, governability and economic and social progress of the Haitian people. There is no question that a political dialogue between the various State authorities is essential; it is the only way to achieve a lasting consensus that will enable an inclusive society to be built in Haiti that fully respects human rights and can address ongoing challenges. While reiterating Chile’s commitment to working with Haiti multilaterally and bilaterally, we call on the Haitian authorities to take steps immediately to encourage this political dialogue and the quest for consensus. In that regard, and with the support of MINUSTAH, the holding of free, fair and credible national, municipal and local elections is an essential part of this process and requires the speedy creation and functioning of a permanent electoral council. My delegation recognizes MINUSTAH’s central role in maintaining a stable and secure environment in Haiti and the progress the Haitian National Police has made in that area. Despite the increase in civil disturbances and crime, the stabilization of the security situation has enabled it to work on the reconfiguration and agreement established in the last renewal of its mandate. In that context, my delegation welcomes MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan 2013-2016, and commends its establishment of concrete goals and targets in the areas of political development, increasing electoral capacity, the rule of law and human rights, and governance, agreed on with the Haitian authorities. Similarly, we commend the plan’s initiation of a strategic review process. These goals will enable the Mission to use its resources and evaluate its achievements more efficiently so as to enable a gradual and sustained transfer of responsibilities to the Haitian authorities. In that regard, we stress that any budget reductions for the Mission should be justified by the situation as observed on the ground, and also take into consideration the connection between security tasks and development, for which rapid-impact projects, programmes for reducing community violence and other initiatives supporting local populations are key factors. In that context, my delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s initiative for the elimination of cholera in Haiti and the work that MINUSTAH has done in this area, and calls on donors to fulfil their financial pledges. Regarding priorities for the police, we hope especially that the Haitian National Police can gradually assume greater responsibility in the area of public security, in line with its development plan for 2012- 2016. To that end, it is fundamental that the annual process of police recruiting and training be carried out, which requires not only efforts by the Haitian authorities, but also by the international community. The Chilean Government will continue to participate in police training through its bilateral cooperation programmes. In looking at Haiti from the perspective of its development since the devastating earthquake in 2010 until now, the progress reflected in a decrease of 75 per cent in the internally displaced people in the camps of refugees demonstrate the outstanding work done by the Haitian authorities in that area, with the support of the United Nations. That is a clear demonstration that coordinated will on the part of the various actors can lead to positive results. For my delegation, it is essential to reiterate the importance of interaction among Haitian authorities in maintaining political stability and achieving development. Without such positive interaction, it will be impossible to appropriately meet the pending challenges in strengthening the rule of law and consolidating democratic institutions, especially in the areas of administration of justice, human rights, penitentiary administration, gender-based violence and the protection of minors. It is also fundamental to lay the foundation for development by attracting investment and generating employment, which will make it possible to grapple with the difficult socioeconomic situation and the decrease in food security in Haiti. As we reaffirm the commitment and solidarity of the Government of Chile with the people and authorities of Haiti, we also believe it necessary to continue cooperating to promote the development of institutional capacity in Haiti under the principle of national ownership. The future of Haiti demands it.

I now give the floor to the representative of Spain.

My delegation is once again participating in this semi-annual debate on the question of Haiti as proof and in recognition of Spain’s commitment with this country in the Latin American and Caribbean region, which is therefore so close to us. Haiti is a friend nation and we are friends of Haiti. For that reason, while I associate myself with the statement to be delivered shortly by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, I would like to make some additional considerations in my national capacity. Spain has decisively supported the reconstruction of Haiti since the terrible earthquake that devastated the country in January 2010. However, Haiti’s institutional weakness has impeded to date the achievement of desirable levels of implementation. That is why the aid disbursed has not yet reached its full potential. Our Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Iberoamerica conveyed this message to both His Excellency President Martelly and to His Excellency Prime Minister Lamothe on the occasion of his visit to Haiti in February. The Government of President Martelly has been working with determination to reduce the endemic problems of the Haitian political system. However, he has not yet entirely managed to get Haitian institutions working more efficiently. Local elections and the election of a third of the Senate are still pending as a result of the inability of Haitian political actors to establish a permanent electoral council, as provided for in the 1987 Constitution and which to date has not been able to be formally established. Partial improvements have been made in recent days, as mentioned by the representative of Haiti, and we very much welcome them. However, the process is still unfinished at the present time. Spain wishes to make a clear and convincing appeal to all Haitian political actors to assume their responsibilities and to work in order to achieve a smooth and predictable operation of the institutions. As the Security Council has already stated, the outstanding elections should be held in the course of this year. Strong political institutions will make it possible to move forward in the reconstruction process in a much more efficient way than what has been the case thus far. It will also make it possible to shape the image of Haiti abroad of a country that is moving forward in its transformation into a secure, stable and socially equitable country. Finally, I would like to express my delegation’s gratitude to the Secretary-General for his semi-annual report (S/2013/139) on the activities of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as well as for the consolidation plan of the Mission for 2013-2016 included in the report. Despite some improvements, there are still many challenges in Haiti. In order to successfully tackle those challenges and fulfil the expectations of its people, it is essential that Haiti’s political leaders redouble their efforts and renew their commitment to the country’s reconstruction and stabilization process.

I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member States. The acceding country Croatia; the candidate countries Montenegro, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as Armenia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, align themselves with this statement. I would like, first of all, to thank Mr. Nigel Fisher for his briefing, and the representative of Haiti for his statement. During our last statement before the Security Council, the European Union welcomed the relative stabilization of the political scene since the appointment, in May 2012, of the new Prime Minister Mr. Laurent Lamothe (see S/PV.6842). The European Union also expressed the hope that political reforms would move forward thanks to the enactment, early in 2012, of several amendments to the 1987 Constitution. We reaffirm our full support for the efforts of President Martelly and Prime Minister Lamothe to move forward in the economic, political and social renewal of Haiti. In that context, we regret to note that the ongoing tense political climate, the lack of cooperation and a tedency towards pointless political confrontation have to date impeded the progress of those reforms, which the still-fragile Haitian democractic system desperately needs. It is particularly worrisome that the different parties concerned have not yet succeeded in agreeing upon the establishment of an electoral council, which has been an obstacle to setting a date for the forthcoming elections. We can only reiterate our appeal to all stakeholders to work responsibly and in the interest of Haitian society as the whole. The European Union supports the Secretary-General’s request for free, fair and transparent elections to be held without delay, and reiterates our readiness to financially contribute to the convening of future elections and to the strengthening of the capacities of the future permanent electoral council. Nevertheless, we know that the slow-down in the reform process is not limited to electoral matters. We share the concerns expressed by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2013/139) in a certain number of areas where little progress, even backsliding, has been noted. In that regard, I am referring to persistent shortcomings in the justice sector, arbitrary appointments in many key areas of State administration, incidents of forced evictions of displaced persons still living in camps and a continuing climate of impunity, among other things. On the whole, those observations lead to very mixed results regarding the improvement of governance, even though President Martelly has rightly made the rule of law a priority of his presidency. The European Union will continue, within the framework of its political dialogue with Haiti, to remind all interested stakeholders of the urgency of adopting a more inclusive approach in inter-institutional relations and to work for national consensus on a small but realistic number of political and socioeconomic reforms on which to move forward in cooperation with international partners. With respect to certain aspects of the report of the Secretary-General, in particular on activities related to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the European Union reiterates its support and appreciation for the contribution to security and stability that the Mission continues to provide in Haiti. We welcome the consolidation plan for the Mission and the focus of its future activities around the four priority areas proposed by the Secretary-General. Hand in hand with other donors, and in the framework of its programmes for cooperation with Haiti, the European Union will make its contribution to fulfilling the responsibilities that will no longer be part of MINUSTAH’s mandate, as well as to assisting in the progressive handover of MINUSTAH’s mandated competencies to the Haitian authorities. In that vein, the support of the European Union for a broad range of State administration reforms, announced by the Government in November 2012, should facilitate that handover by improving the capacities of Haitian institutions. The European Union will continue to consider other possible contributions in security sector reform, including in transborder cooperation with the Dominican Republic in order to back the Haitian Government’s activities.

I give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

I thank the delegation of the Russian Federation for convening today’s debate. I would also like to thank Mr. Nigel Fisher, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Haiti, for his presence here today and for his assessment of the situation on the ground. It was with great interest that Mexico heard the detailed assessment of political, socioeconomic and security situation in Haiti. We believe it necessary for the international community and the United Nations to redouble their efforts to lay the foundation for sustainable development in the country. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/139) describes a complex panorama and proposes a consolidation plan to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in specific areas to promote political stability. We agree with the identification of the four priority areas of the plan: development of police capacity, building of electoral capacity, the rule of law and human rights, and governance. However, we are concerned that actions that have been successful in the past have been left out, such as the quick impact projects that put into place strategies to promote economic recovery and the long- and medium-term projects that have made it possible to meet persistent needs in humanitarian aid, health care, food security and basic infrastructure. We agree that while the Mission can be supported by other actors working on the ground, including those in the private sector, MINUSTAH should not disengage itself from specific key areas such as education, food and agriculture, which can be a source of long-term instability. It is necessary to have an ongoing firm commitment from the international community. In that regard, Mexico calls on the Security Council, United Nations agencies and international agencies and partners to continue cooperating with the Haitian people and authorities to meet the economic and social challenges that remain prevalent in Haiti. Mexico applauds the appointment of the members of the transitional college of the permanent electoral council, and hopes that their prompt entry into that body will be a departure point for holding local and municipal elections. It is necessary for Haiti to embrace a culture geared to building consensus to address the priority issues of development of the island. Also worthy of attention is the development of the capacity of the Haitian National Police so that it may extend its reach to the whole territory, enabling it to effectively address crime rates. Mexico would like to highlight the decision to renew, with the Haitian Government’s approval, the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, which occurred just a few days ago. The Human Rights Council has assessed the human rights situation in the country and taken stock of the Government’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its citizens. No doubt that work will complement MINUSTAH’s work in favouring governance in the country. Mexico reiterates its full support for MINUSTAH and recognizes the value of the men and women who are deployed in the Mission to improve the situation in Haiti. The Government of Mexico will continue to support institution-building in the country, as well as long- and medium-term projects. We call for a possible reconfiguration of the Mission’s mandate, taking into account considerations put forth today by troop- and police-contributing countries, as well as by members of the international community who are committed to the long-term stability and development of Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.

Mr. President, I would like to begin by thanking you and the delegation of the Russian Federation for having organized today’s debate on Haiti. We are having this debate at a time when, more than three years after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti, the country is facing important choices for its future. In 2012, we were once again reminded that Haiti remains vulnerable to natural disasters when Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storm Isaac hit the country. Canada responded by providing emergency humanitarian assistance to those most in need in Haiti. The past year also brought some progress in reconstruction and development. However, the ongoing stalemate in the organization of the long-overdue senatorial and municipal elections raises serious questions about the capacity of Haiti’s democratic institutions. By encouraging a legitimate and credible electoral council to organize those elections, Haitian leaders have the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment and demonstrate their respect for democratic principles. If elections are not held in 2013, it will become increasingly difficult for the international community to accept excuses and delays. The long-awaited elections must be held in 2013, and as soon as possible. Canada’s partnership with Haiti has been in place for decades, and we are one of that country’s most generous backers. Canada has provided the country with more than $1 billion in support since 2006. Canada has contributed to Haitian development priorities in a wide variety of areas — such as economic growth, food security and maternal and child health — through Canada’s Muskoka initiative. Canada has also provided substantial humanitarian assistance following natural disasters to alleviate suffering of the Haitian people and meet their immediate needs. Since February 2012, for example, we have been pleased to assist over 5,500 Haitian families displaced by the 2010 earthquake in relocating from the Champs de Mars camp, with the help of case workers, and in moving into safe accommodations. Likewise, our development assistance is helping women and children who cannot afford health-care services to gain access to health facilities and thus enjoy a better quality of life. Those are the kinds of results we want to continue seeing in Haiti. Members of the Canadian Government have recently made several high-level visits to Haiti. In November 2012, our Minister of International Cooperation, Mr. Julian Fantino, and in February this year, our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. John Baird, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Diane Ablonczy, visited Haiti to see the country’s development first-hand. They met with President Martelly and Prime Minister Lamothe to discuss both the successes achieved and the existing challenges in the areas of the rule of law, security, governance and sustainable development, as well as the need to strengthen accountability and transparency. During their visit, the ministers reiterated Canada’s determination to support the Haitian Government in its resolve to better coordinate the efforts made by non-governmental organizations, donors and those partners that are present in the country. Canada is currently reviewing its long-term commitment in Haiti, as is the case with governmental programmes as a whole, so as to achieve sustainable results for the Haitian people, especially those most in need. (spoke in English) Canada continues to support the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). In the coming months, Canada will be closely involved in the discussions regarding MINUSTAH’s conditions- based consolidation plan, which entails a narrowing of MINUSTAH’s activities to a core set of mandated tasks in the areas of security and stability, democratic governance and State legitimacy, and the rule of law, with respect for human rights. This year again, we would like to commend MINUSTAH on its efforts to improve the security situation in Haiti and on its work to ensure that Haiti’s security institutions are well equipped, so that they can play a greater role in standing up for the freedom and security of Haitians themselves. In that regard, efforts must, in our judgement, continue seriously to focus on the capacity of the Haitian National Police as the primary security force in Haiti. We are pleased that the current Government has adopted its new police development plan for the 2012-2016 period. We urge the Haitian authorities to make all necessary efforts for its implementation, and we stand with them. (spoke in French) The Government of Haiti has repeatedly asserted that Haiti is open for business. Canada welcomes this spirit and underlines that realizing that intent and achieving concrete outcomes will require a series of actions. To make that openness for business clear to the international community, steadfast political will is needed to establish a true rule of law in Haiti. Actions leading to further gains in economic development will also help provide the bedrock for future growth. A stronger rule of law will promote not only investor confidence but also the ability of small and medium- sized Haitian entrepreneurs to succeed. Haiti’s leaders must devote themselves to delivering the reforms that they have promised. Haitians expect a Government where the public interest is respected, the rule of law prevails, human rights are protected, the economy grows stronger and development is sustainable. The Haitian people and their partners in Canada expect no less.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I would like to express my appreciation to you, Sir, for presiding over this debate. Let me also thank Mr. Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), for his significant contribution to the Mission. I would like also to thank Mr. Nigel Fisher for taking on the important responsibility for MINUSTAH. I would also like to pay tribute to the men and women of MINUSTAH for the commitment and fortitude they have demonstrated under difficult circumstances. I welcome the Secretary-General’s report on MINUSTAH (S/2013/139), issued on 8 March. As the report mentions, Haiti continues to face many challenges. Haiti still needs to improve its basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity and the provision of potable water, as well as social services, including access to education and medicine. High levels of unemployment and crime also persist. The establishment of a temporary electoral council is also needed to carry out the next election in a peaceful and democratic manner. Many challenges remain for Haiti on its path to recovery, reconstruction and development. In addition, Hurricane Sandy hit the nation in late October. The international community responded promptly, and Japan provided an emergency grant of $1.2 million. However, more support is still needed. The international community, however, also acknowledges and welcomes the progress that has been made in the recovery process in Haiti. Since the earthquake in 2010, more than 10 million cubic metres of debris have been removed, and the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been reduced by more than 75 per cent. Now that three years have passed since the deadly earthquake, the Mission remains highly necessary and significant, but the needs of the Haitian people have shifted. Haiti has made remarkable progress since Japan pledged $100 million towards emergency relief and reconstruction in 2010. Japan has actually already disbursed an amount exceeding that original pledge. In recognition of that shift on the ground, Japan decided in July 2012 that it would wind down the operations of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s engineering unit in Haiti; the unit had withdrawn from Haiti by the end of December 2012. The number of personnel who have served in the Japanese contingent since its beginning totals approximately 2,200. The contingent has made contributions to the recovery of Haiti through various efforts, including the removal of rubble, the dismantling of damaged buildings, the repair of facilities in IDP camps, road repair, the construction of orphanages, and the distribution of water in response to the outbreak of cholera. The contingent also contributed to human resources development in Haiti through the sharing of expertise on civil engineering equipment. That equipment also was finally donated to the Haitian Government. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s engineering unit was able to gain a great deal of experience in MINUSTAH. In that context, we would like to share that experience here, in New York, at a seminar today. Starting at 2:30 p.m., the Permanent Mission of Japan, together with the Permanent Mission of Brazil, will host a seminar at the Japan Society focusing on the evolving roles of military engineering units in peacekeeping missions. Engineering units can play a critical enabling role in multidimensional missions as early peacebuilders. Our seminar will aim at illuminating, and gaining an in-depth picture of, the evolving roles of engineering units, as well as identifying future opportunities and challenges. Even after the withdrawal of its engineering unit, Japan intends to continue to support Haiti. The Government of Japan will continue to provide support to Haiti for its restoration and the establishment of basic social services, mainly in the fields of health, hygiene and education. Japan recently decided to provide $5.7 million in food aid and $1.6 million in capacity- building assistance to the Haitian Government. As the Council is aware, two years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck Japan, in March 2011. We are most grateful that the people of Haiti expressed their sense of solidarity with the people of Japan. I am confident that both Haiti and Japan, in close collaboration with the international community, will be able to overcome difficulties as we work towards a brighter future.

I now give the floor to the representative of Peru.

First of all, I would like to commend the initiative of the presidency of the Security Council to convene this open debate on the situation in Haiti. We also welcome the presence of the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Mr. Nigel Fisher, and thank him for introducing the report of the Secretary- General on the situation in Haiti (S/2013/139). Peru wishes to continue to cooperate in order to achieve security, stability, sustainable development and institution-building in Haiti. My country has therefore actively participated in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since 2004, with a military contingent consisting of 366 soldiers and military officers in the general staff of the Mission. Similarly, Peru is a member of the Group of Friends of Haiti, the Ad Hoc Advisory Group for Haiti of the Economic and Social Council, the Group of Friends of Haiti of the Organization of American States and the Latin American Political Coordination Mechanism for Haiti. Peru is convinced that there can be no sustainable social and economic development without strong institutions that promote and sustain that development. We also reaffirm the validity of the principle of national ownership, whereby the Haitian Government itself must lead the process to consolidate its national institutions, strengthen the rule of law, consolidate democracy and build capacity. In that regard, we believe that the work of MINUSTAH remains essential to providing the Haitian authorities with the security and support necessary to facilitate that process, in accordance with national strategies and priorities set out by them. In that context, my delegation wishes to draw the attention of the Security Council to two aspects of the report of the Secretary-General that Peru considers to be of paramount importance. The first is the need for continued support to the Haitian authorities in establishing and strengthening strong public institutions that allow the problems currently facing the country to be addressed effectively. The second is the plan to reconfigure and strengthen MINUSTAH on the basis of the existing conditions in Haiti and the needs of the Haitian people. As has already been noted by speakers who preceded me, in particular the representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti — whose statement Peru endorses — we agree that the work of MINUSTAH in ensuring the stability and security of Haiti has been essential to the achievement of significant progress in strengthening the democratic institions and the rule of law in Haiti. However, we are also aware that the stability achieved is an opportunity that should be used to achieve a political agreement that would ensure the governability of the country in the long term. In that regard, recognizing the democratic aspirations of the Haitian people, my delegation calls on all political forces in Haiti to reach the agreements necessary to lay the foundations of the basic institutions for strengthening democracy in Haiti. We therefore hope for the early establishment of the permanent electoral council, the body responsible for ensuring that the elections are conducted transparently, democratically and credibly, while highlighting the significant support that MINUSTAH has been providing in the area of electoral assistance. The progress registered by MINUSTAH in stabilizing Haiti in recent years allows us to look optimistically to the future. We therefore believe that the time has come to launch a process of gradual and orderly transition to a second phase of cooperation of the United Nations system for Haiti. In that respect, we welcome the development by the Secretary-General of a reconfiguration and consolidation plan for MINUSTAH to strengten the achievements made and to lay the foundation for long-term development programmes. In that regard, Peru believes it important that the core objectives identified in the concise version of the MINUSTAH consolidation plan annexed to the report of the Secretary-General contain precise parameters and indicators that will measure progress achieved by the Haitian Government in areas crucial to strengthening the institutions and democracy of the country. I also wish to acknowledge the progress in the institutionalization, professionalization and strengthening of the Haitian National Police, which has been playing a leading role in protecting and ensuring the safety of its citizens, as demonstrated by the recent transfer of security functions to the Police in four regions of Haiti. In that regard, we welcome the adoption of the five-year development plan for the Haitian National Police for 2012-2016, which will in the near future endow the Haitian Police with the personnel necessary to maintain public order and security throughout the country and a strong institutional structure aimed at strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights. It is clear that the cooperation of the United Nations system with Haiti is not limited to the invaluable support of MINUSTAH. Peru therefore believes that even broader and better coordination is necessary between MINUSTAH and the various agencies and programmes of the United Nations system on the ground. Finally, my delegation is of the view that the significant achievements to date should not lull us into the false belief that the task of the United Nations in Haiti is complete, or close to being so. We therefore call on States Members of the Organization and the entire international community to continue their support to Haiti, highlighting the three areas that have a direct impact on the ongoing process of recovery and reconstruction of that country, namely, governability, security and development.

I now give the floor to Mr. Fisher to respond to comments and questions. Mr. Fisher: I will be brief. I would like to thank members and the other speakers for their comments and questions and for their support, especially with regard to the consolidated plan. I will first take a few highlights on elections. As many representatives stated and I myself said, they have become a symbol or a touchstone for moving forward on a number of fronts on Haiti. We need the electoral council. We look forward to its early formation. But that, of course, is the first step in the development of a plan for the elections, which many said should be free, fair and credible and held this year. I will certainly take that message back to my counterparts. Many speakers raised the current political fragility in Haiti and many looked at the importance of moving ahead across the board on redoubling efforts to promote constructive dialogue in a spirit of compromise. Many representatives talked about inclusive political dialogue, which is the way forward to enabling Haiti’s leaders to focus increasingly on other necessary institutional reforms, especially in the area of the rule of law, and to facing the significant challenges of expanding not only the numbers of police but also their professionalism and presence across the country. I think that the emphasis that many speakers placed on development and humanitarian considerations is also a very good reminder that whatever happens at the political and institutional levels, security and rule-of- law issues are there to create the necessary conditions not only for investment but also for ordinary Haitians to see changes in their lives, improved security, respect for their human rights and the ability to earn a living. I therefore thank many speakers for emphasizing the continuing humanitarian challenges facing Haiti, as well as the difficulty in particular of exclusion based on gender and issues of gender-based violence. Beyond the political fragility, on the issue of the police, there is no doubt that we are seeing increasing professionalism. Indeed, recruitment was slow last year: it fell below the 2011 levels. But I would like to affirm that, with the new training that we will begin in April, we foresee that 150 cadets will be ready for training. We are thus seeing the recruitment process begin to pick up. We still face challenges in ensuring the rapid vetting of police cadets and the medical review process, but that is moving forward. We are looking to our own internal structure to ensure that we have the right mix of professionals able to focus on training and accompaniment of the police, and that includes not only initial training, but follow-up training as they move out of Port-au-Prince. Most police officers — some 70 to 75 per cent — are present in Port-au-Prince. We do need to see an increased distribution and presence around the country. Many representatives have also commented on the mandate and the consolidation plan, and one reminded us all that the mandate should drive the budget. I just want to inform the Council that MINUSTAH will be undertaking a consultative review on the ground to test out the assumptions and projections of the consolidation plan. This will happen, of course, with the Government, with which we have agreed to set up an ongoing working group, as well as with Member States and others who are contributing to MINUSTAH and have a role and interest in our future. Several representatives said that this is an ambitious plan, but as I said it has been agreed with the Government, and it will be reviewed on a regular basis with the Government and of course brought back to the Council. I look forward to reporting back to the Security Council on the progress achieved in the future on the consolidation plan, which is really, essentially, our road map for accompanying Haiti on its journey to full national ownership and full national management of its own affairs.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.