S/PV.7262 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Spain and Uruguay to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency 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/2014/617, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. I now give the floor to Ms. Honoré. Ms. Honoré: I would first like to express my gratitude to the United States in its capacity as President of the Security Council for the organization of this meeting on Haiti. (spoke in French) I also take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Haiti. (spoke in Spanish) I would like to thank in particular all of the countries that contribute troops and police to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and all States members of the Security Council for their valuable support to peacebuilding and democracy in Haiti. (spoke in English) When I last briefed the Security Council in March 2014 (see S/PV.7147), the political momentum created by the inter-Haitian dialogue, resulting in the signing of the El Rancho Accord, had generated the hope that combined elections would be held by the end of 2014 for two thirds of the Senate, the entire Chamber of Deputies, municipal administrations and local councils. The Accord also foresaw other provisions, including a vote on amendments to the electoral law promulgated in December 2013. Since then, continuing mistrust and disagreements over the electoral process between the executive and opposition members in the legislature have caused repeated delays in the implementation of the Accord. A group of Senators opposed to the El Rancho Accord continued to condition their vote on the amended electoral law, inter alia, upon the establishment of an entirely new Electoral Council and have consistently blocked the required quorum. To date, no agreement has been reached on the required legal framework for the elections. After a period of deadlock, the parties have recently shown renewed signs of willingness to remain engaged. However, given the time needed for logistic preparations, the window for holding the elections before the end of the year is now rapidly closing. This is particularly worrisome since, without elections, Parliament would be rendered dysfunctional on 12 January 2015, thereby creating an institutional vacuum until elections are held and a new legislature is installed. Against this backdrop, various options out of the impasse are being discussed among Haiti’s political actors, including calling for elections on the basis of the El Rancho Accord or invoking certain articles of the Constitution and the 2013 electoral law. While I welcome these various attempts at identifying a consensual solution through dialogue as soon as possible, I also wish to call on all actors concerned to ensure that the solution is based on the Constitution and within a solid legal framework that allows for credible, inclusive and transparent elections in support of a peaceful democratic transition in 2015. Despite the political stalemate, the security environment in Haiti has remained relatively stable. Today’s security situation is characterized by threats to law and order, linked primarily to criminality, gang violence and mobilized or spontaneous civil unrest and demonstrations. Crime statistics continue to confirm a downward trend with respect to kidnappings in particular, while homicide numbers have seen an increase recently. During the reporting period, the number of politically motivated demonstrations remained low. The performance of the Haitian National Police (HNP) continued to improve, and the security situation in the five departments vacated by MINUSTAH’s military component, and where only individual police officers remained, continues to be stable. The police force has grown to 10,963 active officers, including 899 women. We have also seen improvements in other areas, including in the overall professionalization of police officers, recruitment and vetting, strategic planning and community policing, among others. A case in point in highlighting the increased capacities of the National Police is that its specialized crowd control units are now present at 50 per cent of the demonstrations, as compared to 29 per cent during the same period in 2013. A lot still remains to be done to achieve the targets outlined in the national police development plan and to overcome technical, structural and operational challenges. For instance, the operational support of MINUSTAH was still required in one-third of all demonstrations due to insufficient personnel and equipment of the National Police, which was unable to provide efficient crowd control throughout the country. The relatively high number of patrols carried out by the Mission’s military component is also a further reflection of the continuous need for further improvements in the police’s operational capacity. Structural and technical challenges  — such as a weak administrative and internal oversight capacity, limited regional coverage and scarce institutional capacity in specialized fields, including prison management  — remain and require a redoubling of efforts on the part of both the Haitian Government and its international partners. Regarding the humanitarian situation, the efforts of the Haitian Government, supported by international partners, have significantly reduced the toll of the cholera epidemic. During the Secretary-General’s two-day visit to Haiti in July, he and Prime Minister Lamothe launched a total sanitation campaign  — a joint Government-United Nations programme designed to reach 3 million people over the next five years. The Mission and the United Nations country team will continue to support the Government in implementing its national cholera elimination plan, including through the High-level Committee for the Elimination of Cholera, established in May of this year upon the initiative of the Prime Minister and the Secretary-General. Haiti continued to make progress on the relocation of persons displaced by the 2010 earthquake. Durable solutions still need to be identified for the approximately 103,560 remaining internally displaced persons. The Government also continued to deploy efforts to attract investors and to stimulate economic growth and job creation. The Government’s renewed emphasis on public financial management is a commendable step towards improving transparency and accountability, and its implementation should be vigorously pursued. Considering the significant achievements of the past 10 years in the overall stabilization process in Haiti and mindful of the remaining challenges, the Secretary-General has recommended a deepening of MINUSTAH’s consolidation process, including the drawdown of the military component to two battalions, with enablers, by June 2015, while maintaining MINUSTAH’s police component at near to current levels. The recommendation is based on a careful analysis of the political and security situation, the capabilities of the National Police and the Mission’s activities. A strategic assessment mission was deployed, under the leadership of the Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, in June for consultations with the Government, elected officials, political parties, civil society and the private sector, as well as with Haiti’s international partners and the United Nations country team. I am confident, based on the realities on the ground, that the recommended reconfiguration would ensure an adequate stabilization presence to support Haitian institutions, particularly in the context of the next electoral cycle and the continuing development of the Haitian National Police. In this regard, let me underscore that it is critical for enduring stability that the Government, MINUSTAH and Haiti’s international partners redouble their efforts and commitments in order to enable the National Police to meet major benchmarks by 2016 and to assume full responsibility for security and stability in Haiti. To this end, maintaining both the Mission’s individual police officers and the formed police units at near to current levels would allow us to continue advising and mentoring Haitian counterparts through static co-location in police commissariats in targeted areas, as well as to support HNP operations, upon request, as a second line of response. Equally, I wish to stress that it is vital that we all look at police development through the wider rule-of- law lens and underscore the dire need for long-overdue, comprehensive justice sector reforms. Without a well- functioning justice system, including corrections, even the best trained and equipped police force will be unable to perform its duties to provide a safe and secure environment. That would involve not only continuing to support the adoption of a revised criminal code to expedite the judicial process, but also addressing the persistent problem of prolonged pretrial detention and weaknesses in the corrections sector, as seen in the Croix des Bouquets prison break in August. With regard to electoral operations, the transfer of the Mission’s technical, logistic and security support to the electoral process should be initiated while being mindful of capacity-building and resource requirements, so as to enable the relevant Haitian institutions to assume full responsibility over the conduct of elections. In conclusion, it is important for Haiti’s gains in peace, security and stability to be sustained through the consolidation of the democratic process, the rule of law and good governance. That requires not only that State institutions and actors in public life live up to their responsibilities and assume increasingly greater leadership, it also demands that Haiti’s international friends and partners step up efforts and provide additional funds for critical areas from which the Mission is withdrawing and in which the Government still requires continued support. MINUSTAH stands ready to play its role in continuing to use its good offices and the presence of its uniformed personnel and civilian staff in support of a peaceful and democratic political process and further stabilization — all of that in the context of the Mission’s consolidation. We will work with the Government, the United Nations country team and Haiti’s international partners to develop a comprehensive transition plan that underpins the gradual reduction of the Mission’s footprint. In keeping with the Secretary-General’s recommendation, we count on the support of the Council to determine the Mission’s core mandated functions and the appropriate level of resources necessary to fulfil them over a predictable period.

I thank Ms. Honoré for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Ms. Sandra Honoré, for his briefing and for her exemplary work in the service of all Haitians. Luxembourg aligns itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union. We recognize the progress made ​in Haiti, but we are also aware of the difficulties that still face the process of stabilizing the country. As Ms. Honoré just said, the priority in the weeks and months ahead is to hold, as soon as possible, free legislative and local elections that are credible and open to all. That is especially essential to ensuring the continuity of Parliament in 2015. The inter-Haitian dialogue and the El Rancho Accord, including specifically on the composition of the Electoral Council, are positive developments that reflect the willingness of politicial stakeholders to resolve their disagreements. Nevertheless, we deeply regret that it has not yet been possible to adopt the amended election law, which recently led the Electoral Council to declare that it would not be possible to hold the elections by 26 October. We take this opportunity to call on all political actors in Haiti to pursue dialogue so that the various elections that have been delayed for so long can be held as quickly as possible. The continuity of democratic institutions and the consolidation of the rule of law are at stake. They are essential for socioeconomic development and the sustainable stabilization of the country. The time has come for all political actors to set aside their differences in the greater interests of the country and its people. The challenges in Haiti are numerous. Certainly, in collaboration with international partners, the Haitian authorities have managed to relocate about 90 per cent of displaced persons. But we are very concerned about the living conditions of people who continue to live in camps. Their access to water and sanitation is not guaranteed everywhere, and the rate of acute malnutrition remains very high. We must also continue to improve the resilience of those populations against natural disasters. Although we welcome the progress made ​in the fight against cholera, it is clear that the United Nations must continue to play its full rolе to support the Government in its efforts to eradicate that scourge. We must properly appreciate the true value of the fact that the security situation in Haiti has remained relatively stable overall, including in the five departments in which the military component of MINUSTAH is no longer present. We are encouraged by the significant improvement in the capacity and professionalism of the Haitian National Police. However, it is not yet able itself to provide security throughout the country. The Government of Haiti should therefore pursue vigorously efforts to strengthen the capacity of the National Police, in accordance with development plan for the period 2012 to 2016. Beyond the police, strengthening all the institutions for guaranteeing the rule of law and the protection of human rights is essential for the long- term stabilization of the country. In that regard, we welcome the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office, the promulgation of the anti-corruption legislation and the pursuit of legal proceedings to try serious crimes committed in the past. We also welcome the progress made in recent months in terms of legislation to promote the protection of children. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go to strengthen judicial institutions, to address the practice of lengthy pre-trial detention and to improve conditions of detention in prisons. At our most recent debate, in March (see S/PV.7147), we expressed the hope that the Council could decide, against the backdrop of a full awareness of the situation, the future United Nations presence in Haiti. I would like therefore to thank the Secretary-General for his proposal for the reconfiguration of MINUSTAH, which is based on the results of a strategic assessment mission that allowed for consultation with key stakeholders. Luxembourg supports the gradual transfer of MINUSTAH tasks to the Haitian Government, in particular to the Haitian National Police in terms of maintaing a secure and stable environment. We support the one-year extension of the mandate of the Mission, with a deepening of the consolidation process, as recommended by the Secretary-General. In our view, the phased withdrawal proposed is perfectly tailored in order for us to continue to ensure the stability of the country and to support Haiti and its institutions in view of the crucial elections of 2015.

I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Ambassador Sandra Honoré. I also welcome the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/617) on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). And I acknowledge the work of Ms. Honoré and the results that area being achieved, which contribute to strengthening dialogue and institutions in Haiti. Let me also acknowledge the presence of the Permanent Representative of Haiti and his active delegation. I would also like to express my thanks for the work of Lieutenant General Jaborandy as Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as well as that of outgoing Police Commissioner Luis Carrilho. When the Council considered the situation in Haiti in March (see S/PV.7147), we welcomed the conclusion of a landmark agreement among Haitians under the coordination of the Episcopal Conference. The prospects for holding partial legislative and local elections today seems less clear. We therefore trust that all Haitian political actors will continue to work towards building the necessary consensus to enable free, fair and transparent elections to be held during this calendar year. With respect to the Secretary-General’s report, I would like to make two points that concern the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate, which the Council is required to approve before 15 October. First, we are concerned by the timetable for deciding the future of the Mission. Until a few months ago, we were looking at a scenario that included a peacebuilding plan with four indicators that would be used to measure progress, as well as five options presented by the Secretary-General to be implemented beginning in July 2016. Yet the current report abandons that scenario and proposes a different option that would establish a new design for the Mission beginning in March 2015. Our primary concern is that this acceleration appears to bear no relationship to the situation in Haiti, but rather to respond to external factors and budgetary considerations. Otherwise, we see no evidence of changes in Haiti that would lead to a recommendation for speeding up the process in such a manner. We find it particularly worrisome that the Council should take a decision on Haiti in October 2014, before elections have been held. We believe it is important to proceed with caution and that all decisions should be made based on conditions on the ground in order to ensure that the sole peacekeeping operation deployed on the American continent be successfully brought to a close. In our view, the political and security situation in Haiti has not visibly improved to an extent that would justify an accelerated and abrupt troop reduction, as the Secretary-General’s report proposes. By the same token, we are concerned by the shift in the Mission’s mandate as proposed in the report, since we do not wish it to become an intervention brigade. Along with other countries in our region, we believe that the mandate of the Mission should remain unchanged, and that we should explore options for its modification starting in 2015. In that regard, we believe that any decision on the future of MINUSTAH should be closely tied to an effective improvement in its operating capacities and an increase in the resources of the Haitian National Police, which is, after all, the force that should be in charge of security after the international community withdraws. This year marks 10 years since the Council established MINUSTAH. The Mission, whose military ranks are largely comprised of troops from countries in our own region, has made an essential contribution to the stability and security of our brother country. Nonetheless, over the past 10 years, Haiti has faced very difficult situations, including the devastating 2010 earthquake, which upended many of its achievements and posed additional challenges to what would otherwise have been a pace of uninterrupted progress. We believe that MINUSTAH should not remain in Haiti any longer than necessary, so long as it is requested by the democratic Government of Haiti. At the same time, we believe it is important to learn from the lessons of the past and to bear in mind our experiences with hasty retreats that forced us to return. We are convinced that the Council will find the right balance to prove that a peacekeeping operation of the United Nations can succeed by working with the people and the Government concerned to achieve their goals, namely, democracy, human rights, security and peace.

I would like to start by thanking Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, and her team for their dedicated work on the ground. Lithuania aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union. In my national capacity, I would like to stress several points on the political progress, security and the rule of law, and United Nations engagement in the country. The last time we met in the Council on Haiti (see S/PV.7147), we welcomed the progress achieved in the political process towards holding national elections on 26 October and presidential elections in 2015. That progress, however, has not been sustained, and today the holding of the elections on the established date is in doubt. The people of Haiti have suffered too much, and gone through too much, to live in political uncertainty, especially because that will inevitably affect much- needed progress in the country’s economic and social development. We call on all political stakeholders in Haiti to overcome existing hurdles with regard to the electoral framework and to engage in a genuine dialogue on the matter, with all due urgency, keeping the tight time frame in mind. A successful electoral cycle and the consolidation of democratic institutions are key to ensuring stability and addressing the challenges facing the country’s social and economic development. The authorities in Haiti need to move forward with the political process towards holding inclusive elections in a solid legal framework. We commend the efforts of the United Nations and of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to engage Haiti’s political actors on that matter and to advance towards the elections. Strengthening security and the rule of law are some of the most important areas of United Nations engagement in Haiti. We note the relative stability in the security situation in the country. Thanks to the commitment of the Government of Haiti and the active collaboration of MINUSTAH’s police component, the capacities and professionalism of the Haitian National Police have increased. Still, while the progress made by the Haitian National Police is undeniable, as the Secretary-General’s report (S/2014/617) notes, it may not have the strength to ensure country-wide security without support, particularly if confronted with additional challenges such as the electoral cycle, once it begins. Law and order problems also remain. Further efforts are needed to solidify gains in combatting criminality and tackling outstanding law and order concerns. Quick- impact projects aimed at improving the rule of law and good governance in the country, including through training and construction or through the rehabilitation of peace tribunals, are an important contribution to improving security and building confidence among the population. For our part, we remain committed to continuing our modest contribution to MINUSTAH’s police component. We welcome MINUSTAH’s commitment to assist the Haitian police in addressing sexual and gender- based violence. We are concerned, however, that much of the violence remains underreported. Although there has been progress in trials related to human rights abuses, prosecution of the perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence continues to lag. Sustained efforts are needed to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence and to promote the political participation of women. In that respect, we welcome the fact that training sessions on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse were provided to more than 1,500 personnel and we encourage continued awareness-raising on the matter, since tackling gender-based violence is an important component of women’s empowerment and their enhanced role in all spheres of society, including as agents of the country’s development. We also welcome Haiti’s continued efforts to improve child protection legislation. The Government’s ratification of the first two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a welcome step in that respect, and we appreciate it. In terms of the way ahead, we are carefully analysing the Secretary-General’s proposals on the future of MINUSTAH. While we concur that further continued efforts are needed to strengthen the country’s capacity with respect to the rule of law and law and order, we support a conditions-based consolidation plan for the Mission, including a drawdown of its military component, in view of the changing nature of the role of the Mission as well as actual needs on the ground.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for her briefing and for her astute leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The El Rancho Accord remains crucial in the resolution of Haiti’s political situation. We acknowledge the strong commitment of President Martelly to acting in line with the provisions of the Accord. We note in particular the President’s determined efforts to ensure the holding of elections in October. However, they cannot take place due to a technicality. It is our hope that the political leaders of Haiti will reach a consensus on the way forward so that the long-delayed elections can take place. As President Martelly rises to the enormous challenges of his office, the support of the Haitian people will remain vital. The security challenges facing the country will require the Haitian authorities to develop plans and resilient security institutions that will effectively address the issues. We take positive note of the operational presence of MINUSTAH, which has so far proved successful in managing the security situation of the country. We would like to acknowledge the progress Haiti has made in two important areas: agriculture and social development. In regard to agriculture, we commend the Haitian authorities for the remarkable progress made in the production of yam, with output increasing from 354,500 metric tons in 2010 to nearly 500,000 metric tons in 2013. While this is below Haiti’s potential in yam production, we note that the authorities are making efforts under the triennial agricultural recovery programme 2013-2016 to address the constraints faced by producers in the sector. We look forward to the adoption of the policy for the yam industry, which the Ministry of Agriculture is reportedly working on. Yam has the potential to contribute to Haiti’s foreign exchange earnings and improve national prosperity. We therefore encourage the Haitian authorities to continue to work on boosting its production. In terms of social development, we applaud the Government of Haiti for the high priority it attaches to the eradication of illiteracy in the country. We note that the Government is motivated by the desire to reduce social inequality, fight extreme poverty and improve social inclusion for all Haitians. In this regard, 252,000 Haitians have benefited from the efforts of the Government over the past two years. Furthermore, under the sixth national functional literacy campaign launched in March, the Government has reportedly set a target of achieving literacy for 450,000 Haitians across the country by March 2016. We encourage the Government to continue to promote literacy in order to strengthen social cohesion and improve the lives of its citizens. Despite these positive developments in Haiti, challenges still exist, and MINUSTAH remains relevant in meeting these challenges. In this regard, we take positive note of the progress that MINUSTAH has made in achieving its stabilization benchmarks. Concerning MINUSTAH’s consolidation and reconfiguration beyond 2016, we believe that a phased drawdown based on an overall assessment of overall stability, the security situation and the capacity of the National Police will provide optimal results. We welcome the United Nations integrated strategic framework and look forward to the outcome of the strategic planning process being undertaken by MINUSTAH, the United Nations partners and the Government of Haiti.

First of all, I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Sandra Honoré, for her briefing. During the four years since the devastating earthquake of 2010 the centre of gravity for rebuilding Haiti has been shifting from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and international support to the Haitian people and their leaders. The unprecedented catastrophe was extremely challenging and still poses residual threats. Having listened to the Special Representative’s briefing, we hope that the political actors will make every effort to hold elections as soon as possible. The importance of the ownership and responsibility of national stakeholders cannot be overemphasized. We expect the Special Representative of the Secretary- General to continue to actively engage to promote political dialogue and consensus. Capacity-building for good governance is a priority for the international community, which should focus its resources in this regard. As the rule of law is one of the key elements of good governance, technical and operational support for the national police should be sustained until it is able to provide public order. We support the Secretary-General’s recommendation concerning the condition-based two-step drawdown of the MINUSTAH military component. His recommendation is in line with the ongoing consolidation process. We believe that limited resources should be invested at a suitable time and location. We hope that political leaders will tackle the underlying causes of social grievances. Without addressing the prevailing humanitarian problems, especially those related to internally displaced people, security and stability may remain elusive. Providing social and economic alternatives to people will be the best remedy to curb criminal activities. In this regard, we believe that the role of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations country team and international partners should be enhanced during the streamlining process of MINUSTAH. The Republic of Korea previously participated in the reconstruction process of Haiti, including through the dispatch of an engineering contingent. This year, we joined in the support of the national plan for the elimination of cholera with a modest donation, and we are considering ways to continually contribute to the humanitarian needs in Haiti.

I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, for her briefing and her continued able leadership at the helm of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Rwanda is encouraged by the continued consolidation of the political, social and economic stability of Haiti. We commend the Government for its progress in strengthening national institutions and building social cohesion. In particular, we applaud the Haitian people and their partners, including MINUSTAH, for the reported reduction in crime, the sustained fight against cholera and the continued settlement of displaced persons following the devastating earthquake of 2010. The efforts of all political actors to continue the political dialogue in the framework of the El Rancho Accord is encouraging as it guarantees a peaceful and progressive future for Haiti. We encourage them to continue to engage constructively in order to uphold the gains. In this regard, Rwanda commends President Martelly and the national institutions for steps they have taken to implement the Accord, including the amendments to the electoral law by the Chamber of Deputies and the appointment of members of the Electoral Council. We have taken note of the electoral schedule set by President Martelly, as well as the concerns expressed on this calendar, especially on the first round of elections set for 26 October. We express our confidence that the consultation initiated by the Government with the leadership of both houses of Parliament will lead to a consensus on the electoral calendar. In that regard, we call upon all political actors, and the Senate in particular, to engage positively to agree on a legal framework, which is a prerequisite for other electoral processes to go forward. As MINUSTAH continues to draw down, it is important for the Government of Haiti, with the support of its partners, to ensure a successful transition by improving the political and security situation in the country and enhancing national institutions, including security forces. In that regard, the increased professionalization of the Haitian National Police and the progressive stabilization of the security environment are all critical benchmarks for MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan. It is in that context that we support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of the Mission for an additional year until 15 October 2015, as well as his proposal for a two-stage drawdown based on a review of the overall stability, the security situation and the capacity of the National Police. In the meantime, Rwanda is encouraged by the continued investment of MINUSTAH in quick-impact projects focusing on the rule of law, good governance, health, infrastructure, access to water and civic education. In the same vein, we acknowledge the continued collaboration of the Government of Haiti and the United Nations Development Programme in the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategic framework. We believe that the ongoing joint programmes will enable the country to fully recover from the 2010 earthquake and ensure that Haiti is on the path to sustainable, peaceful and long-term development. In that regard, we call on the Government of Haiti to continue working with the international community on necessary reforms that could set the stage for increased foreign investment in the country and enhanced socioeconomic reliance. In conclusion, Rwanda, as a police contributor to MINUSTAH, reaffirms its solidarity to the Government and people of Haiti as we trust their resolve and determination to succeed in their quest for stability and prosperity.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing and her work. I also associate myself with the statements to be made by the observer of the European Union and by the representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. The situation in Haiti contrasts markedly with that of most of the topics covered by the Council. Not everything has been resolved in Haiti and many obstacles remain, which are risk factors in the country’s progress. However, opportunities also exist. I have in mind the proposals to address social inequalities and human rights violations that were drawn up ​in Geneva in February by the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, Mr. Gustavo Gallón, who was appointed by the Human Rights Council. We are therefore pleased to see the country slowly emerge from the acute crisis that led the Council to deploy a peacekeeping operation there 10 years ago. On the occasion of that anniversary, we are beginning to see the success of our collective action, through the Mission and the various Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, and how it is paying off. I will therefore limit my comments to two aspects that lie at the heart of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH): support for political dialogue and the stabilization of the security situation. We are concerned by the growing delays in the organization of the electoral process. None of the elections scheduled for 2014 have been held, and despite the agreement reached in June between the President and opposition, it does not seem likely that the date of 26 October, on which the general elections had been scheduled, will be respected. We know that democracy thrives on elections. Their regularity is the hallmark of a healthy democracy. Local, legislative and partial senatorial elections have been postponed for too long, while the major election — the presidential election of late 2015 — is already on the horizon. It is therefore essential that the organization of the electoral process be resumed quickly, without any impediments and in a spirit of democratic responsibility demonstrated by all actors. We note with satisfaction the elements of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2014/617) referring to the gradual strengthening of the Haitian National Police. The decrease in certain forms of crimes and the police’s growing territorial control are also positive signs. The Haitian National Police, as we know, still needs MINUSTAН’s support in conducting its operations. However, we also note that it is now showing itself to be more capable of dealing with public disturbances. It may not yet operate completely independently, but it has learned how to better control crowds and prevent demonstrations from degenerating into violent confrontations. For us, the strengthening of the Haitian National Police must, of course, remain central to MINUSTAH’s activities. We also should not question the quality of the Mission’s contact with the population, which depends in particular on the ability of its staff members to speak French. With that in mind, it seems clear that MINUSTAH’s reconfiguration should continue. Not to change anything or to change things only on the margins of the Mission’s current scope would be to disregard the tangible signs of progress, which have just been noted. Similarly, to prevent MINUSTAH from adapting to the changing circumstances would be tantamount to underestimating the political risks and would also reward those who reject democracy. By maintaining the status quo, the international community would deny to Haiti the opportunity to emerge from the crisis. The Mission must evolve in size and nature. We support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to renew the Mission’s mandate by continuing to reduce its military presence by three battalions. The police component should remain at the strength it is now. That scenario is the result of lengthy evaluations and exchanges. MINUSTAH’s evolution has not been taboo for almost a year, and, in his previous report (S/2014/162) issued in March, the Secretary-General already provided a number of reconfiguration options. The Secretary-General has today fine-tuned his analysis, thanks to the findings of the strategic assessment mission that was conducted on the ground in June. According to the Force Commander, who briefed us yesterday ina closed meeting, the reduction recommended by the Secretary-General is a prudent reconfiguration of MINUSTAH that would allow it to retain its capacity to act in military terms. Significant work lies ahead, in particular that of satisfactorily defining MINUSTAH’s mandate within the allocated resources. MINUSTAH’s transformation should be a catalyst for our reflection on the international community’s commitment in Haiti. The conditions for its success are now known and they lie within a credible time frame. We must also consider the United Nations presence after the elections to consolidate our work.

We appreciate the briefing made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré, and value her efforts and those of her team. My delegation associates itself with the statement to be made ​by the Permanent Representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. We believe that, given the crucial moment in Haiti, the international community should continue to play a crucial supporting role that facilitates dialogue among all Haitians. Since 2006, elections in Haiti have been held pursuant to an electoral cycle that has allowed for a renewal of democratic institutions. We therefore urge all Haitian political sectors to seek an understanding that will enable the institutions to continue to operate without interruption, which would sow uncertainty and undo all the efforts of recent years. For Chile, security, stability and development are interrelated principles and, based on the report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/617), the work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in that regard has been fundamental. The process of consolidating and withdrawing the Mission should therefore be gradual and adjusted at all times to the changing Haitian reality with a concrete timetable. Any downsizing should be done without undermining the achievements made in security and be in keeping with the electoral agenda, given its potential effects on stability. Chile is therefore convinced that the drawdown process and all reductions should begin gradually after the presidential elections, and certainly not before the inauguration of the new authorities. The global financing needs of peacekeeping operations are growing and face a dearth of resources. However, budgetary considerations and external factors should not affect the decisions that the Council takes with regard to the Mission. The Mission represents an enormous Latin American effort. That commitment was reflected recently in a letter sent to the Secretary-General and signed by 11 Latin American countries, including Chile. The letter reflects a common vision of the evolution of the only peacekeeping mission in the Americas. In the 10 years since MINUSTAH began working in Haiti, the progress that has been made in stabilizing the country is obvious, but its efforts to consolidate the rule of law must continue. Making a success of the 2012-2016 strategic development plan for the Haitian National Police is an urgent and high-priority task for MINUSTAH, and a strategic one, in that it has a measurable objective with quantitative and qualitative indicators that can help Haiti become self-sustaining in the area of public security throughout the country. In order to achieve that, it is crucial to increase police capacity as well as to reach numerical targets. We commend the progress that Haiti has made in the areas of security, economic growth, development, post- earthquake reconstruction and institution-building, but we know that there is still work to be done in improving socioeconomic development and the people’s well-being as well as security. One such challenge is the cholera epidemic, and we note that the emergency measures undertaken by the Government, with the international community’s support, have enabled it to reduce the number of new infections by more than 75 per cent this year. We note the role that the United Nations Senior Coordinator for the Cholera Response in Haiti plays in this and urge the international community to strengthen its collaboration in the efforts against cholera. We believe that the role of the Mission in general, and of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General in particular, should not be restricted to a mandate for security. It should also support dialogue between the various political stakeholders aimed at achieving consensus beyond party differences so as to enable them to make decisions that strengthen the country’s democratic institutions, political stability and socioeconomic development for all Haitians without exception, in the framework of a society that is fully democratic, united and with a deep respect for human rights. But MINUSTAH’s role should also be limited, since Haitian society itself is responsible for solving its own problems in sovereign independence. In conclusion, I would like to recall that 10 years ago, when, as it is today, Chile was a non-permanent member of the Council, we supported and participated in the deployment of the multinational interim force sent to help deal with the plight threatening Haitian society. Latin America and the Caribbean’s commitment to and solidarity with the people and authorities of Haiti continue to this day and will undoubtedly continue to do so in future. We measure the success of a peacekeeping mission when its contribution to solving the problems for which it was created makes its continued existence unnecessary. That is what we hope for with MINUSTAH.

I would like to add my voice to those of speakers before me in thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing and for her and her team’s flawless work to help Haiti. The report of the Secretary-General covering the period under consideration (S/2014/617) shows that the situation has improved. The main State institutions have been strengthened and the return and resettlement of internally displaced persons has been 90 per cent accomplished, while significant progress has been made in combating the cholera epidemic. However, there are a number of issues that make this improved situation a fragile one. On the political front, the problem of the composition of the Electoral Council still divides the executive, the political parties, the parliamentarians and the opposition. Chad supports the efforts to maintain an inter-Haitian dialogue process and commends the signing of the El Rancho Accord, which is an encouraging development and a sign of the political stakeholders’ willingness to put an end to their differences. In order to strengthen the rule of law, promote socioeconomic development and restore lasting stability, Chad urges all the parties concerned to redouble their efforts to hold local and parliamentary elections in Haiti as speedily and as soon as possible. In spite of overall improvement in the area of security, public order is still at risk, particularly by problems with crime, gang violence and civil unrest related to the continuing political and economic crisis. Chad welcomes the forthcoming increase in the numbers of Haitian National Police officers to 15,000 by 2016 and the reform of the prison system. As we know, every security problem is ultimately rooted in social inequality and poverty. Fighting those scourges will help improve the underlying causes of insecurity. In that regard, Chad encourages the country’s Government and the United Nations to continue to aid and support Haiti in the processes of stabilization and peacebuilding. With regard to the humanitarian situation, Chad welcomes the fact that the number of displaced persons has fallen by 90 per cent since 2010. However, critical needs still have to be met in the areas of basic sanitation and malnutrition. Overall, 70,000 displaced persons are still living in very precarious conditions. Chad urges the Government to seek solutions for these people based on sustainable development. We commend the 82 per cent drop in cholera cases compared to the same period last year, and we encourage initiatives aimed at fighting the disease, including the total sanitation programme launched by the Secretary-General in July. We urge donors to step up their efforts to find the financing needed to completely eradicate cholera in Haiti. After 10 years of MINUSTAH’s activity and 13 Security Council resolutions, we believe that Haiti is at a turning point in its consolidation of stability and democracy. The leadership, the political stakeholders and the country’s population as a whole must seize this historic opportunity to consolidate their achievements and put the country on a path to sustainable stability and economic development. This new responsibility should be undertaken within the framework of a gradual and progressive transfer of authority. In that context, MINUSTAH should maintain a presence adequate to the task of helping Haiti’s institutions confront risks to its security, especially during the electoral period. In that regard, Chad welcomes the extension of MINUSTAH’s mandate through 15 October 2015, in accordance with the drawdown plan and timetable proposed by the Secretary-General. In conclusion, we would like to congratulate and thank all who have contributed to Haiti’s stabilization and development, and we encourage the Haitian Government, which, thanks to the support of all United Nations entities and other relevant stakeholders, will be taking over from MINUSTAH.

I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), for her comprehensive briefing. We are all aware of the challenges facing Haiti. The United Nations has supported it through the toughest of times, and we should therefore approach the drawdown of MINUSTAH with caution. We should also consider a new restructuring aimed at intensifying efforts to deal with the country’s current urgent problems, chiefly those connected to the rule of law, human rights and building judicial and security institutions. It is also vital that the international humanitarian response be strengthened and progress made in the area of essential social and economic development, so that Haitians see a concrete improvement in their living conditions. Otherwise, the grievances of the public may become entrenched and the violent demonstrations will spread. The main responsibility for maintaining the progress achieved in Haiti lies with its Government, leaders and political elite. In the absence of such progress, the efforts of the Government may not be successful. All Haitian patries should resort to dialogue and give priority to national interests and to improving the general political climate. We join all calls that demand the implementation of the provisions of the El Rancho Accord pertaining to the electoral process. We call for the holding of free, fair, transparent and combined legislative and local elections as soon as possible so that democracy and stability can be achieved and a backslide towards the violence and chaos that results from the increased political tensions prevented. We note the remarks of the Secretary-General in his most recent report on the drawdown of MINUSTAH (S/2014/617). I would like to point out that any reduction should take into consideration the upcoming election period, the surrounding circumstances and the need to support the relevant security situation. The drawdown must also be commensurate with building the capacity of the Haitian National Police so as to maintain the gains of the past 10 years. In that regard, it would also be appropriate to focus on building the capacity of the national police forces, in particular outside the capital. The current ratio of police to residents is no more than 0.5 per cent per 1,000 people. It should be acknowledged that the world standard is a minimum of 2.2 per cent per 1,000 people.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Ms. Honoré for her briefing. Over the past six months, the political process in Haiti has registered steady progress. The security situation remains stable. The settlement of displaced people proceeds smoothly. The response to the cholera has produced encouraging results. However, at the same time, tensions remain between the executive and legislative branches of the Haitian Government. Differences between the two branches over the elections remain unsettled. Given the country’s weak economy and fragile humanitarian situation, the peaceful reconstruction process remains a challenge. At present, Haiti is at a critical stage in consolidating peace and stability. To help Haiti to achieve lasting stability and development, China believes that the international community should step up efforts in the following three areas. First, it should facilitate the election process to achieve a peaceful political transition in Haiti. China hopes that all stakeholders in Haiti will make the country’s future and well-being a priority, resolve their differences over the elections and other issues as soon as possible through dialogue and negotiation and ensure the smooth holding of elections by the end of the year. The international community and the relevant regional organizations can play a positive role in providing good offices and facilitation. Secondly, it should accelerate economic reconstruction and enhance Haiti’s development capacity. Underdevelopment has been one of the underlying causes of the political and social problems in Haiti. The international community should honour its donor pledges and actively participate in Haiti’s State-building process with a view to helping the country to achieve independent development as soon as possible. Haiti has the highest rate of cholera in the world. China applauds Secretary-General Ban Ki- Moon’s efforts to eliminate the cholera epidemic and hopes that the international community will continue to provide support to the cholera control programme in Haiti. Thirdly, it should continue to fully support the role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Under the leadership of Special Representative Honoré, MINUSTAH has made positive efforts in supporting the political process in Haiti and in maintaining social order. China appreciates such efforts and hopes that MINUSTAH will continue to discharge its duties effectively in accordance with its mandate.

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for her briefing on the situation in Haiti and acknowledge the significant contribution of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), alongside the Government and the people of Haiti, in rebuilding the country, in particular in the face of natural disasters and the ongoing cholera epidemic. While there is still much work to be done, significant progress continues to be made, and the past six months is no exception in that regard. We believe that Haiti’s long-term stability depends on three key factors: ensuring security, for which there is a clear need; strengthening governance institutions and the rule of law; and improving the lives of Haiti’s citizens through an effective response to humanitarian crises and the promotion of socioeconomic development. On the development side, the Secretary-General’s most recent report (S/2014/617) records encouraging advances. We commend the Secretary-General’s leadership of the United Nations efforts to eliminate cholera in Haiti, and we note that rates are declining. We welcome the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Haiti, where he launched the $2.2-billion total sanitation campaign with Prime Minister Lamothe, which aims over 10 years to scale up sanitation and hygiene interventions in rural areas, in particular. It is important that the international community continue to support the United Nations and humanitarian partners to completely eradicate cholera in Haiti. It is also pleasing to note that Haiti has nearly reached several of the Millennium Development Goals ahead of the 2015 deadline. Among other achievements, Haiti has seen a steady boost in enrolment rates in primary education from 47 per cent in 1993 to nearly 90 per cent, achieving equal participation by boys and girls in education. Haiti has also halved the number of underweight children under five years. Infant mortality has decreased by 44 per cent since 1990. The percentage of households that have access to water has increased significantly but still only two-thirds have such access. That is a vital need. Weak water, sanitation and health systems are enabling cholera, acute diarrhoea or other water borne diseases to persist. That will require sustained attention. The holding of elections remains a crucial step towards the strengthening of governance in Haiti. In that regard, we have not seen the progress that has been sought. In January last year, the Council issued a press statement (SC/10901) calling for the holding of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections by the end of 2013. At that point, elections were already long overdue. Almost two years have elapsed since that statement by the Council, and we are in the midst of our fourth Council debate on Haiti during that period. On each occasion, the Council has called for elections to be held. Yet the people of Haiti are still waiting for them to take place. The holding of elections by January 2015 is not only essential for the continuity of Parliament but also critical to Haiti’s recovery, reconstruction and development. Prime Minister Lamothe’s refrain that “Haiti is open for business” is not as credible as it might be while the political process is stalled. Political stability is essential to the long-term socioeconomic development of Haiti. We strongly urge all political actors in Haiti, including President Martelly and members of the Senate, to put aside their differences and to ensure the holding of elections by January 2015. Some progress has been made on the security front. We agree with the Secretary-General’s characterization during his recent visit that the Haitian National Police is the backbone of security in Haiti. The Haitian National Police must continue to take on increasingly greater responsibility for security in Haiti, with the United Nations police focused on its mentoring role and acting as backup only when essential, as Special Representative Honoré has said. The use of MINUSTAH’s military component to respond to security incidents should be a last resort. We commend MINUSTAH’s ongoing efforts to train police officers to prevent and to respond to sexual and gender-based violence and its efforts to extend that training to judges and prosecutors. We urge the Haitian Government to continue to work with MINUSTAH to increase efforts to support the prevention of such violence, to strengthen the judicial process and to ensure respect for the rights of victims. The increased capacity of the Haitian National Police has allowed the Secretary-General in his report to recommend a two- step drawdown of MINUSTAH, with the first step being a 53-per cent reduction in the military component. We support the renewal of the MINUSTAH mandate for one year at this level. Any further drawdown should be conditional on further progress on the ground. Australia agrees with the conclusions of the strategic assessment review that it would be premature to end MINUSTAH’s presence before presidential elections have taken place in 2015 and a new Government is in place. The Mission will continue to play an important role even as Haitian authorities take on more responsibility. We encourage MINUSTAH to continue to work to assist Haiti in building on the security and development gains it has made.

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for introducing the Secretary-General’s report before us (S/2014/617) and for her assessment of the situation in Haiti. We agree that national dialogue remains of utmost importance to stabilizing the situation in the country. Since the conclusion of the El Rancho Accord, the Haitian leadership has taken a number of important measures for its implementation, including the modernization of public administration and the creation of an open Government. An administrative tribunal has been established, and a number of laws adopted by Parliament have come into force. The powers of governors and mayors of key cities have been temporarily extended. The duties of a minister of communications with political parties have been defined. We believe that the parliamentary and local elections will prove to be the main indicators of the fruitfulness of national dialogue. It is therefore regrettable, as confirmed by the report of the Secretary-General, that some important steps necessary for the conduct of elections this year have not yet been taken. The balance of power emerging in Port-au-Prince remains fragile; as a result, the overall domestic situation remains complex and often unpredictable. The lack of agreement between the executive and legislative branches threatens to block the electoral process. We call on all political forces in Haiti to overcome their remaining differences and to ensure the holding of fair, just and transparent elections as soon as possible. The normal functioning of State bodies is urgently needed for the further stabilization of the situation in the country, the genuine development of democratic institutions, and the creation of conditions conducive to sustainable socioeconomic development. The security situation in Haiti is gradually returning to normal. The professionalism of the Haitian National Police has grown. We hope that the goal set by the Government to increase the number of police officers to 15,000 by 2016, with the support of the international community, will be achieved. We note the significant contribution of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to this process. Assistance in training the Haitian police force is one of the central tasks of its mandate. Additional efforts are required to improve the Haitian justice system. The entire legal and justice system  — from the police to corrections  — must be made to operate in a balanced and effective manner. We also note the positive trends in the humanitarian field. The country continues to face complex challenges in rectifying the socioeconomic situation, resettling internally displaced persons, ensuring food security and fighting cholera. We welcome the steps taken by the Government of Haiti in these areas, with the support of the international community, including through the United Nations funds and programmes. We share the opinion of the Secretary-General regarding the need to extend the Mission’s mandate until 15 October 2015. At the same time, we believe that in the medium and long terms, MINUSTAH will continue to transfer responsibility for maintaining law and order to the growing Haitian National Police. We stand ready to consider the Secretary-General’s proposals on the gradual drawdown of the military component of MINUSTAH and other possible ideas during the drafting of the resolution on this issue. In that regard, key factors are the security situation on the ground, as well as the capacity of national forces to uphold law and order during the elections. In conclusion, we emphasize once again that the leading role in resolving the complex problems facing the country should be played by the Government of Haiti itself. At the same time, the international community must continue to provide effective support to Haiti. In this context, we note the efforts of both MINUSTAH and regional organizations.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré for her briefing today and for her work in Haiti. Under her leadership, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) continues to make a valuable contribution to ensuring stability and progress in Haiti. We welcome the Secretary-General’s report (S/2014/617) and agree that Haiti has reached an important stage in solidifying the gains made so far towards stability and democracy. But against that background, it is disappointing to read in the Secretary- General’s report that, once again, the political impasse and failure to adopt the necessary amendments to the electoral law mean that essential elections are unlikely to happen this year. Failure to hold transparent and inclusive elections will have serious consequences for the provision of democracy, the rule of law and the future of the country. The United Kingdom therefore joins the Secretary- General in calling for all leaders in Haiti to rise above their differences, to consider the future stability and security of their country above all else, and to work together to ensure that the long-overdue elections, which are so necessary for progress in Haiti, are held without further unnecessary delay. We are pleased that the security situation has remained relatively stable, including in those parts of the country in which MINUSTAH is no longer present. We note the encouraging statistics cited in her briefing today by Special Representative Honoré about the overall downward trend of most criminality. In addition, we welcome the Special Representative’s positive assessment of the increasing professionalism of the Haitian National Police. It is vital that the National Police win the trust and confidence of the people. A fully functioning, effective and well-paid National Police force is essential to the future stability of Haiti, and we are pleased to see that efforts to make advances in recruitment, training and operational responsibility continue. It is, however, of real concern that the police are still reliant on MINUSTAH for logistical and operational support, and that they lack the capacity and equipment to contribute to operational patrols. I echo the comments of the Special Representative also in emphasizing the importance of continuing to build up the justice sector, regionally and at the institutional level, to complement the work of the police and ensure that the rule of law is properly applied. In particular, improvement in the administration of the corrections institutions should be a priority. The United Kingdom agrees with the Secretary- General’s assessment that, while a supportive presence of MINUSTAH continues to be required, the improvements in the security situation in Haiti over the past year demonstrate that a reduction and restructuring of troops and the handing-over of tasks to more appropriate authorities would be a sensible step. This assessment is based on a detailed strategic review involving consultation with relevant stakeholders. We share the Special Representative’s confidence that such a reconfiguration would result in an adequate stabilization presence in Haiti. As the Secretary-General says in his report, this transition requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure a joined-up approach between MINUSTAH, the United Nations partners and, crucially, the Government of Haiti. The Government continues to have primary responsibility for ensuring stability and development. The engagement of Haiti’s political leaders and stakeholders is, as the Secretary-General reports, vital to setting the country on a path towards lasting stability and economic development. As the United Kingdom highlighted in its explanation of vote following the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate last year (see S/PV.7040), we remain concerned at the high number of tasks, in particular quick-impact projects, being carried out by the Mission, which we believe would be better managed by other elements of the United Nations system and its partners. We remain of the opinion that such projects should be carried out during the initial stages of a mission to build up public confidence and support, but 10 years into the life of a peacekeeping mission they should not be used to mitigate the effects of a lack of long-term development programming. Meeting the benchmarks of MINUSTAH’s consolidation plan is crucial to enabling the Government and people of Haiti to take over responsibility for their own peace and security. MINUSTAH has an important role, but it should not remain foreever, and it is incumbent on all Haiti’s political leaders and stakeholders to work towards a future without MINUSTAH by establishing the rule of law and preparing for elections. That is the right way to safeguard the country’s future.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Honoré for her briefing and for her leadership. I also thank all the dedicated women and men serving in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), who are working with her to build a more secure and stable Haiti. The troop and police contributors to Haiti, many of whom we have heard from and several of whom we will soon hear from, have made a world of difference in the lives of the Haitian people. The whole international community is grateful. When the Security Council met to discuss Haiti in March (see S/PV.7147), there was cautious optimism that the signing of the El Rancho Accord and the dialogue mediated by the Episcopal Conference would help break the country’s political stalemate and lead to long-overdue elections. It is therefore deeply disappointing, as other Council members have pointed out, that five months later so little progress has been made towards that goal. Haiti still does not even have an electoral law, which led the country’s provisional Electoral Council to declare recently that Haiti would not be able to hold elections on 26 October, the date the Government had set. Many of Haiti’s elected leaders have worked tirelessly to seek a political compromise and have offered meaningful concessions to that end, including with regard to the composition of the Electoral Council and the Cabinet. But a group of six Seantors seems intent on holding elections hostage to partisan concerns, even going so far as to prevent a debate on the electoral law. Legislators in a democracy have a responsibility to defend their constituents’ rights. But when elected officials take advantage of democracy’s checks and balances to cynically block debates and elections altogether, they stand in the way of addressing citizens’ real needs. And, as we all know, the needs of Haiti’s citizens are very real. Massive progress has been made to find homes for the 1.5 million people displaced by the 2010 earthquake, but 70,000 people are still displaced and much work remains to be done to provide for citizens’ basic needs, such as electricity, quality schools and access to doctors. Haitians expect their Government to provide for those needs, and are understandibly frustrated when they are not met. Therefore, our message to all of Haiti’s politicians is clear: come together to pass an electoral law and hold free, fair and inclusive elections in respect of constitutional deadlines. Every United Nations State Member should join that call, and we are heartened that so many have done so. Despite the political deadlock in Haiti, there has been encouraging progress on other fronts. We welcome the onging expansion and professionalization of the Haitian National Police. Police have shown an increased capacity to maintain public order while respecting people’s rights. We also recognize MINUSTAH’s efforts to strengthen Haiti’s justice sector, such as seeking to imporve the capacity of judges and prosecutors and increasing access to legal aid. Haiti’s prison system needs urgent fixing. Haiti’s prisons, which have a capacity of approximately 6,000 people, currently house more than 10,000, and nearly 80 per cent of those people are awaiting trial. Let us be clear: our work in Haiti is not finished. But just because significant development and political challenges persist does not make MINUSTAH the solution to all of them. Nor does it mean that the Mission should be kept just as it is. We have to right- size MINUSTAH to fit Haiti’s evolving needs. We agree with our colleagues that decisions about the size and configuration of the force should be conditions- based. Like our friends in the region who have given so much to Haiti’s recovery, we are a neighbour of Haiti’s and we have a deep and demonstrated interest in Haiti’s security and the growth and success of its democracy. The United States agrees with the Secretary- General’s determination, based on a thorough review, that conditions support further consolidating MINUSTAH’s military component in the upcoming mandate. We agree with the Special Representative that support for MINUSTAH’s robust police component to Haiti’s National Police is still critically necessary. A smaller military component must stand ready to assist on short notice anywhere that unrest overwhelms the combined capacity of Haitian and United Nations police. With continued robust MINUSTAH support, we look to Haiti’s Government to assume greater responsibility for security, including for elections. We are committed to discussing with partners how MINUSTAH should be adjusted. We belive that the Secretariat, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Force Commander have taken the facts on the ground into account, and they have concluded that conditions support the adjusted force levels recommended by the Secretary-General. In conclusion, Haiti has real needs. It has been through so much and it faces tremendous challenges. We as the international community continue to experiment and to learn and to adjust around the most effective ways to help the Haitian people address those very real needs. We will continue to do so as Haiti continues to move along the path to self-sufficiency. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

On behalf of the Government of Haiti, allow me to commend the Secretary-General on the quality of his report (S/2014/617) on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The report was submitted pursuant to resolution 2119 (2013) and complements and expands upon the one issued on 7 March (S/2014/162). It focuses on key facts and developments in the past five months and provides a balanced and objective picture of the overall situation in Haiti in terms of stabilization and security, political, economic, social and humanitarian aspects, and on the recovery. The rigorous assessment of MINUSTAH’s activities undertaken by the Secretary-General provides accurate insights into the many achievements and successes, but also on the road still ahead towards consolidating the rule of law and democracy and strengthening institutions, including the Haitian National Police (HNP). The report includes a set of quite sage recommendations that were formulated on the basis of a clear analysis of the situation on the ground and the current and future challenges. They should enable the Security Council to make a realistic decision as to the possible reconfiguration of the mandate entrusted to MINUSTAH 10 years ago. The Haitian Government has considered with the greatest interest the contents of the report, which is all the more timely for having been issued on the eve of crucial parliamentary and municipal elections that everyone acknowledges constitute a major test not only for MINUSTAH and Haitian institutions, but especially for the future of democracy in Haiti. The Government also took note of the Secretary- General’s recommendation to the Security Council to renew the mandate of MINUSTAH for a specified period, along with the reconfiguration made necessary in the light of the achievements, improvements and progress, but also the current and future challenges and developments in the field. I find it necessary, on behalf of the Government of Haiti, to provide some information and additional assessments that I think will be useful as part of this debate when it comes to the evolution of situation in Haiti, on the one hand, and the recommendations of the Secretary-General on the extension and reconfiguration of the mandate of MINUSTAH, on the other. First of all, the Government of Haiti is overall pleased with the general observation of the Secretary- General, who was able to evaluate for himself, during his visit on 14 and 15 July, the significant progress in Haiti over the past 10 years. As he observed, the situation in terms of security has improved. The strengthening of key institutions continues. The performance of the Haitian National Police continues to improve. The relative stability in the security situation is illustrated by the sharp downward trend in cases of abduction. Many of the displaced as a result of the most devastating earthquake in the country’s history have now left the camps and have been resettled. With regard to combatting the cholera epidemic, the report stresses that Haiti is on the path to success, although we cannot but deplore the high number of deaths — 8,570 cases — as well as the number of those afflicted by the disease, which should give some idea of the breadth of the tragedy. In the legislative realm, the report notes a number of laws that have been adopted as well as the ratification of various international conventions, in particular with respect to human rights, the rights of the child, women’s rights, the protection of the most vulnerable members of society and the fight to combat corruption. The report provides irrefutable evidence of progress in stabilizing the situation of Haiti since MINUSTAH’s initial deployment, in 2004, We have in particular acknowledged the report’s call to the Haitian Government to continue strengthening the institutions tasked with enhancing respect for the rule of law. We have also noted the Secretary-General’s special concern about possible backsliding in Haiti’s political transition as a result of the delay in scheduling elections. In that regard, I would like to stress that Haiti’s Head of State and its Government remain faithful to their solemn commitment, reiterated to the Secretary-General on the occasion of his recent visit to Haiti in July, to hold legislative, municipal and local elections within this calendar year. Such elections are fundamental for the continuity of the country’s democratic institutions. In order to implement the El Rancho Accord, agreed in March 2014 by the executive and legislative branches along with political parties — in short, by all the main actors in Haiti’s political life — at the end of the inter-Haitian dialogue convoked by President Martelly under the aegis of the Chair of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, the Government spared no effort to resolve pending contentious issues, make up for delays and assuage tensions among the parties, principally between the legislative branch and the executive, with the goal of holding unimpeded, honest, democratic, transparent and inclusive elections. Today, however, as we must acknowledge, the electoral process is at a standstill. The Secretary- General’s report says as much, indicating that opposition parliamentarians consistently opposed any attempt by the Senate to vote on the amended electoral law by repeatedly preventing the required quorum from being reached. The Haitian Government is well aware that Haiti is at an important juncture in the consolidation of stability and democracy” as the Secretary-General quite rightly stresses, and that the holding of inclusive elections in 2014 is essential for the continuity of the Parliament in 2015, for the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law and to promote socioeconomic development, which is necessary to improve the living conditions of the population and achieve enduring stability. Conscious of the serious stakes involved, President Michel Joseph Martelly and Primer Minister Laurent Lamothe fully share those views. For that reason, they continue to invest all possible effort to establish consensus. With the strong support of the Haitian people, which eagerly awaits the opportunity to participate in elections that have been deferred for too long, they are determined to fulfil their solemn commitment by assuming their full responsibility with respect to the electoral process. They call upon the United Nations, the Security Council and all Haiti’s partners to support their efforts to that end, in order to overcome the remaining hurdles on the road to the elections, whose first round, initially expected to be held on 26 October, must, without question, take place this year. With regard to stabilization and security, the Government welcomes the operational support that MINUSTAH’s forces have given the Haitian National Police and the progress achieved in its professionalization. On the matter of renewing MINUSTAH’s mandate, the Government of Haiti shared its views and its own assessment of the situation with the United Nations assessment mission to Port-au-Prince during the past summer. It fully shares the Secretary-General’s analysis with respect to the indisputable gains achieved along the priority tracks of the Stabilization Mission, and the need to consolidate those gains. In the light of its own assessment of the risks and threats to the country’s internal and external security, and in full agreement with the conclusions of the study of the overall stability of the situation, the Haitian Government agrees with the recommendation to the Security Council to extend MINUSTAH’s mandate by one year, until 15 October 2015, with the understanding that this extention should take place within the framework of a progressive disengagement of the Mission and the gradual transfer of its responsibilities to the Haitian national authorities. Along the same line of reasoning, the Haitian Government supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation for a two-step drawdown of MINUSTAH, which would have a reduced presence on the ground but would maintain an appropriate military component that would assist Haitian institutions only when a situation exceeds their capacity to maintain law and order. We hope in particular that the reconfigured, renewed mandate will allow the Mission to ensure a presence that meets Haiti’s real needs and current demands. We are convinced that its presence will continue to provide valuable support to Haitian institutions, above all in the context of the upcoming electoral cycle, which, along with this year’s legislative and municipal process, includes presidential elections in 2015, as the Secretary-General’s report points out. In that spirit, the Haitian Government will continue to lend its full support to the Security Council and the Secretary-General with a view to developing a plan for consolidating the achievements of the past 10 years and for articulating a new vision for MINUSTAH’s scope of action beyond 2016. The Government also reiterates its commitment to ensure that national institutions assume their full role and responsibilities within the new configuration to be implemented, which, alongside national institutions, will require consolidation as the foundation of democracy, the rule of law, security and sustainable development in Haiti. We express our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his report, which will certainly guide the Council’s work. I would also like to reiterate the determination of the Haitian Government to continue to collaborate with the Security Council towards fully achieve the mandate with which MINUSTAH was tasked. In conclusion, I would also like to reiterate the gratitude of the Haitian people and their Government to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré for her unwavering commitment to the cause of peace and to dialogue among all sectors of Haitian society. President Martelly, Prime Minister Lamothe and the entire Haitian Government are grateful to all the Member States that, in the best spirit of international solidarity and international cooperation, continue to support the Haitian people in its long march towards the irreversible process of building the rule of law and a truly democratic society by their generous contribution in troops and human, financial, technical and material resources to MINUSTAH over a decade. On behalf of the Government, I take this opportunity to commend the staff of MINUSTAH, which is carrying out a huge, complex and often difficult task, as well as the staff of the United Nations working both in New York and in the field in Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.

I would like to take this opportunity to greet and welcome the Special Representative of the Secretary- General Ambassador Honoré, as well as to thank her for the excellent report (S/2014/617) that she presented to the Security Council today and for her efforts and those of the team at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in the field. For decades, Canada has had a unique partnership with Haiti. Since 2006 Canada has devoted more than $1.4 billion for development and humanitarian aid. Those efforts aim to complement and support the steps taken and the efforts made by our partners, including multilateral and regional institutions, in Haiti. Canada has endeavoured to improve numerous spheres, such as economic growth, food security, good governance and, in conformity with the Muskoka Initiative, launched by Canada in the framework of Group of Eight, maternal, newborn and child health. However, much still remains to be done to ensure stability and sustainable development in the country. (spoke in English) Canada is particularly concerned by the continued delay in holding the senatorial, local and municipal elections in Haiti. Under the Haitian Constitution, democratic elections should have taken place three years ago — in 2011. Holding elections in 2014 is an essential and necessary step towards maintaining the legitimacy of State institutions, as well as advancing and reinforcing democratic stability in Haiti. We call upon all political actors in the country to move forward and ensure that credible, fair and inclusive elections can indeed take place this year. (spoke in French) A Government must reflect the will of its people. In order for the Government of Haiti to reflect that will, the voice of citizens must be heard. Canada is ready and willing to support the elections. Canada recently announced $8.7 million in financing in support of elections through the United Nations Development Programme and the National Democratic Institution. That contribution, added to those of our partners, will complete the Government of Haiti’s funds for the organization of the elections. Canada also takes note of the efforts of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti aimed at providing electoral assistance and logistical support for the elections, and it is grateful to MINUSTAH for that. We wish to underline to importance of reinforcing the status of Haitian institutions, including their capacity to play an ever increasing role in the future. (spoke in English) Transparency, accountability, economic competitiveness and diversification are essential to Haiti’s sustainable economic growth. Private sector development will create jobs and establish a local economy that will create resilience not only in communities, but across the country, thereby promoting stability. Stakeholders must prioritise actions that will improve the business environment, which in turn can transform Haiti’s economic potential into concrete socioeconomic benefits for the Haitian people. Canada welcomes the anti-corruption law that was adopted in May, and we encourage its full implementation. Addressing the issue of corruption is essential for Haiti to modernize the business environment in the country and facilitate national and foreign investments. (spoke in French) Canada welcomes the progress made by the Government of Haiti, with the support of the international community, in order to continue to reduce the number of Haitians that live in camps due to the earthquake of January 2010. But much more needs to be done to resolve certain problems that exist in Haiti regarding individual rights. The general weakness in the justice sector continues to concern us, in addition to undermining the protection of individual rights. A large number of Haitians, up to 70 per cent of the prison population, according to certain sources, are detained in horrific conditions during long periods while awaiting their trial. It is time to tackle that problem. Canada welcomes the efforts of MINUSTAH in the framework of judicial reform. International cooperation and the efforts of Haitian authorities to strengthen institutions are essential to improve the current situation in an effective and long-lasting manner. (spoke in English) Canada continues to appreciate and support the important work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. For 10 years, MINUSTAH has worked to improve security conditions and contribute to lasting stability in the country. It has made considerable progress. Canada notes MINUSTAH’s forward planning, including the gradual reduction of the United Nations footprint in Haiti. It is important that such decisions be based on the situation on the ground, in particular the capacity of the Haitian State to deliver security to its people. We should avoid reduction scenarios that could jeopardize the results achieved to date, and take into account the role MINUSTAH should play in contributing to stability and ensuring security during significant national events, such as the 2015 presidential elections. The Haitian National Police (HNP) must also continue to be strengthened. We commend both the Government of Haiti and the Mission’s efforts towards the reform and developments of the HNP, an organization that has demonstrated increasing capacity in recent months. Canada is proud to be among the top contributing nations in terms of strengthening the police in Haiti, and we salute our fellow Member States with whom we are working in that effort. We urge the Haitian Government to continue that work and further build upon it, while prioritizing both the police and an independent and strengthened judicial sector so that the Haitian people can rely on an accountable Government and the rule of law. (spoke in French) In conclusion, I would like to underscore that in these large international forums we must never forget the Haitian people. The women who walk miles on foot every day to go to the market of Pétionville; the tuk- tuk drivers who transport their passengers on the roads of Cap-Haïtien; the fishermen docked at the island of Gonâve under the blistering rays of the sun — all they want is to earn their daily bread in a secure and propitious environment, as well as to give a chance to their daughters and sons to have a better future and greater possibilities. The future of the children depends on the local economy, democratic governance, stability and security. I wish to assure everyone that Canada is determined to achieve such a future and to maintain its commitment in regard to Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

I would lik to thank you, Madam President, for convening this debate. I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for her briefing. I reiterate my Government’s appreciation and respect for her leadership and consistent support for the consolidation of peace and democracy in Haiti. I also wish to acknowledge the contribution of the Permanent Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Régis, and I am pleased to see the Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Major General Jaborandy, among us. The latest report of the Secretary General (S/2014/617), based on the findings of the strategic assessment mission and his own recent visit to Haiti, gives us reason for both optimism and caution. The challenge before us is to balance these two — optimism and caution — in a way that does not jeopardize the fulfilment of the aspirations of the Security Council when it established the peacekeeping operation in Haiti 10 years ago. Since the earthquake, Haitian gross domestic product has been growing at an average of 4 per cent a year, with impressive gains in areas such as agriculture, as highlighted by the representative of Nigeria earlier today. Although significant progress has been made towards stabilization in the country, Haiti still deserves careful assistance to successfully overcome the remaining obstacles on the security and political fronts in particular. The legacy of MINUSTAH, and thus of the United Nations in Haiti, depends on a correct, responsible and informed balance between the preservation of the immense investment and gains made in stabilization and institution-building, on the one hand, and the recognition that the Mission should not stay in Haiti in perpetuity, on the other. Brazil wishes to underline the centrality of ensuring the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections. We urge Haitian leaders to work together to allow for the organization of the overdue legislative and local elections as soon as possible. We expect the political dialogue to lead, in the near future, to new concrete commitments and to promote national reconciliation and the institutional strengthening of all branches of the Haitian State, thus allowing for the normalization of democratic life in the country. But it would be short-sighted for Haitian leaders to assume that in the absence of their clear commitment to institutional stability, elections and the consolidation of democracy, the international community would be willing to sustain the presence it has had for the past 10 years through MINUSTAH. Brazil concurs with the understanding expressed by the Secretary- General that “a conditions-based deepening of the current consolidation process” (S/2014/617, p.56) would be viable, responsible and adequate. We support his recommendation of a two-step drawdown of MINUSTAH, as it is based on a military assessment that deemed a force of two battalions and of 2,370 troops to be consistent with the realities on the ground and on the assessment of the ability of the Government of Haiti to assume a greater responsibility for security. The driving forces behind the reduction of MINUSTAH’s presence in Haiti should be the holding of elections and the overall Haitian security sector’s ability to perform, including the Haitian National Police, not financial considerations or artificial budgetary ceilings. As per the military evaluation conducted, we agree that the troop reduction recommended by the Secretary-General allows for the necessary capability to face upcoming challenges and tensions that may occur associated with political campaigns and elections, while avoiding the risk of a security vacuum due to a premature departure of MINUSTAH. A further decrease in troop levels should not be presumed on the basis of today’s realities, as it is contingent on developments that are still some time ahead of us, mainly the presidential elections. Even if the proposed drawdown strategy is adequate, we must still increase our efforts to ensure that stability gains secured so far become sustainable. To that end, a lighter military presence should be accompanied by a stronger role played by national institutions, especially the Haitian National Police, the judiciary and the corrections system. We encourage the Haitian National Police to benefit from MINUSTAH’s efforts to ensure a successful handover of responsibility for security in critical areas and to continue to participate in joint operations with the Mission. A successful consolidation strategy leading to long- term stability in Haiti would also involve recognizing that development assistance, both from the United Nations system and other actors, should be scaled-up to at least the same pace as the military disengagement. Job creation, income generation and investment in education should be high on the list of all stakeholders. That process must be guided by the Government’s priorities and, in an inclusive way, owned by Haitians themselves. MINUSTAH should continue to contribute to an environment of stability through social and economic progress by keeping its mandated tools to develop quick impact and community violence reduction projects, as well as an adequate engineering capability. As MINUSTAH’s drawdown strategy unfolds, we highlight the importance of enhancing the Mission’s civilian component, in particular its ability to coordinate, with the support of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Development Programme Resident Coordinator, the activities of the United Nations system and the United Nations country team on the ground. In that connection, we stress the importance of further integrating the activities of the United Nations family in Haiti with MINUSTAH’s activities towards promoting the strengthening of the State institutions directly associated with the core areas of its mandate, including in the domain of access to justice and the rule of law. (spoke in French) Brazil welcomes the initiatives of the Government of Haiti and MINUSTAH to fight the cholera epidemic. In that context, the reduction of the number of people affected by the disease by 82 per cent is very encouraging. The Haitian Government and the United Nations are certainly not alone in those efforts. The tripartite cooperation of Brazil, Cuba and Haiti recently opened three hospitals intermediary-level hospitals and a rehabilitation centre in the Port-au-Prince area and has trained hundreds of community health workers to support, among others, cholera treatment and prevention measures. In conclusion, Brazil renews its commitment to and long-term solidarity with Haiti, which is reflected, among other initiatives, in its technical cooperation, economic assistance and 10 years of dedicated contributions to MINUSTAH. Haiti must be able to count on the international community in addressing complex challenges related to security, stability, democracy and development. The time is not ripe for international disengagement. However, we must redouble our confidence in Haitians’ abilities to meet, with international support, the challenges in a climate of dialogue and cooperation.

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, France, Guatemala, Peru, the United States and my own country, Uruguay. I would like to commend you, Madam President, for organizing this debate to discuss the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/617) on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The Group of Friends welcomes the presence among us of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, and wishes to thank her for her comprehensive briefing and for the hard work she is doing. The strengthening of the rule of law and democratic institutions, establishing a political culture conducive to democratic stability and improving the socioeconomic conditions are key elements needed to achieve a greater and sustainable stability and prosperity in Haiti. In that regard, the Group of Friends encourages all political actors in Haiti to deepen their dialogue and cooperation with a view to consolidating their country’s democracy. The Group reiterates the importance of holding this year free and fair legislative, municipal and local elections as an essential and urgent step towards lasting stability, recovery and development in Haiti. The Group welcomes the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to facilitate a climate for dialogue among all the national actors in order to strengthen Haitian democratic institutions. The signing of the E1 Rancho Accord marked an important milestone in a Haitian-led process and represented the will of Haitian political stakeholders to move forward with the planning of elections. When the Security Council met to discuss Haiti in March (see S/PV.7147), the Group of Friends encouraged Haiti’s political leaders to maintain their spirit of cooperation and to act promptly to fulfil the Accord’s provisions on amending the 2013 electoral law, establishing the provisional Electoral Council and establishing an electoral calendar. It is therefore with great concern that the Group of Friends notes that, after so many months, Haiti still does not have an amended electoral law and that, as a result, the Electoral Council concludes that it will not be possible to organize elections on 26 October. The Group of Friends shares the Secretary- General’s view that the holding of inclusive elections in 2014 is essential for the continuity of the Parliament in 2015, for the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and to promote socioeconomic development, which is necessary to improve people’s living conditions and achieve lasting stability. The Group calls upon all Haitian political actors to fulfil their obligations to the Haitian people, through dialogue and action taken, to ensure that elections take place within 2014. The Group of Friends takes note of the Secretary- General’s report and is carefully considering it. According to the report, the security environment in Haiti remains relatively stable, although it has seen increases in homicides and demonstrations triggered by socioeconomic grievances, along with a steep drop in kidnappings and other crimes. The Group of Friends commends the improved response of the Haitian National Police (HNP) to demonstrations around the country, while noting that the number of its requests to MINUSTAH as a second line of response has also increased. The Group notes the progress that has been made in executing MINUSTAH’s 2013-2016 consolidation plan, with the goal of enabling the Haitian authorities to assume full responsibility for their country’s security as soon as conditions permit. We recommend a gradual approach to transferring security responsibilities and emphasize the importance of basing future action on conditions on the ground. We should avoid decisions that could jeopardize the results achieved so far and take into account the role that MINUSTAH should continue to play in contributing to stability and security during significant national events such as elections, including the 2015 presidential elections. The Group of Friends stresses the importance of the Government of Haiti’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law and making further progress in the judicial and security sectors. In that regard, we would like to emphasize the fundamental role of the Haitian National Police in Haiti’s security and stability and the importance of completing its ongoing strengthening, professionalization and reform so that it will be in a condition to assume full responsibility for Haiti’s security. In that context, the Group of Friends stresses the importance of building up the HNP’s capacity outside Port-au-Prince, and ensuring its adherence to the highest standards of respect for human rights. At the same time, the Group believes that strengthening the police alone is not enough to solidify the rule of law in Haiti. The judicial system needs improvement, which also includes the urgent necessity of addressing the serious issues of pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding and which will require the Government to provide sufficient budgetary resources and qualified personnel. The Group of Friends of Haiti reiterates its commitment to the zero tolerance policy of the United Nations on sexual exploitation and abuse, and expects all United Nations personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct in this area. We urge all actors involved to shoulder their responsibilities for ensuring that such cases are prevented, allegations investigated and those responsible held accountable. We welcome the significant progress made during 2014 in resettling people displaced by the 2010 earthquake. However, we are also concerned about the living conditions in the remaining camps, where uneven access to water and functioning toilets, along with malnutrition, particularly regarding the situation of women and children, are examples of the persistent humanitarian challenges that Haiti faces. The Group of Friends notes the ongoing work by the Government of Haiti, MINUSTAH and others to protect vulnerable groups and urges that all stakeholders focus intensively on preventing and reducing violent crime, particularly against women and children, and including rape and other crimes of sexual violence. We welcome the great progress made in reducing the incidence of cholera in Haiti since the initial outbreak. The ongoing efforts to eliminate the cholera epidemic are a reminder of the importance of maintaining cooperation between the international community and the Government of Haiti in order to meet the Haitian people’s needs. In that regard, the Group welcomes the United Nations support for the 10-year National Plan for the Elimination of Cholera and the work of the Senior Coordinator for the Cholera Response in Haiti. We also acknowledge the efforts of the donor community and call on donors to make good on their pledges without delay. We commend the Secretary-General’s visit to Haiti on 14 and 15 July, when, together with Prime Minister Lamothe, he launched the total sanitation campaign as a key initiative against cholera. And we note with appreciation the creation of the High-level Committee for the Elimination of Cholera, which has already met twice. The Group of Friends of Haiti believes that security, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and development are interdependent and reinforce stability. We therefore underscore the importance of systematically addressing the issues of unemployment, education and the delivery of basic social services, and of ensuring the economic and political empowerment of women. At the same time, we emphasize that there can be no genuine stability or sustainable development in Haiti without fair and open elections, strengthened 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 reaffirms M1NUSTAH’s responsibility for supporting the Haitian State by promoting improved governance structures, the extension of State authority and the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with its mandate. In that regard, the Group emphasizes how much MINUSTAH’s quick-impact projects contribute by strengthening the rule of law and good governance, mitigating cholera, improving security in vulnerable neighbourhoods with better lighting, public infrastructure, civic education, and training civil society representatives. 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, social and economic development and democratic consolidation. We recognize MINUSTAH’s important role in ensuring stability and security in Haiti, and we support the women and men of M1NUSTAH and acknowledge their dedication and tireless efforts in support of recovery and stability in Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

We would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré for her introduction of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2014/617) and the Permanent Representative of Haiti for his valuable comments. Some months ago, Guatemala was pleased to hear the announcement of the consensus forged in Haiti with the signing of the El Rancho Accord, which we believe showed how the country’s political culture had evolved. We therefore regret the fact that the Accord has yet to be implemented, as well as the existence of an atmosphere of mistrust that has not only hindered the holding of parliamentary elections for 2015 but is also delaying the reconstruction process. We urge the country’s political leaders to resume their dialogue and overcome this new impasse. Holding inclusive elections in 2014, as the Constitution requires, is crucial to the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law and to promoting the socioeconomic development needed to improve the people’s living conditions and achieve lasting stability. In that regard, Guatemala fully shares the Secretary- General’s concerns, outlined in paragraph 62 of his report, about the consequences of further delays in holding elections. If the hoped-for electoral process is to succeed, security and confidence must rule, something that can be achieved only with a significant and deterrent military and police presence. Experience has shown that the United Nations must maintain an adequate presence in the country, which is why we are carefully mulling over the Secretary-General’s recent proposal to reduce the Mission’s military component by half. For now, we are viewing the proposal with some scepticism, since we continue to believe that for the time being we should avoid actions that could jeopardize the proper conduct of elections. The report of the Secretary-General and the recent meeting with troop-contributing countries (see S/PV.7261) show that operational support for the MINUSTAH forces is still needed. It should be remembered that we are in the Mission’s consolidation phase. The process of reconfiguration and restructuring should start only once that phase is complete. We must act carefully on the basis of the conditions on the ground and in close consultation with the Government of Haiti, as well as with the troop-contributing countries. With regard to strengthening security across the country, we note the progress in the professionalization of the Haitian National Police. In fact, the understanding has always been that any significant reduction of the military component of MINUSTAH should not only be undertaken steadily, gradually and responsibly, but must also be linked with the necessary capacity- building and increased strength of the Haitian National Police. That is not a matter of quantity but due to the fact that the professionalism of the police is linked to progress in the judicial and correctional fields required for strengthening the rule of law in order to achieve a police force that is also of quality. In short, we clearly understand that without the strong political will of the leaders and all the people of Haiti to achieve a democratic security, no military presence or international pressure can overcome the impasse facing the country. At the same time, it is also true that without the support of the international community, the people of Haiti may not by themselves achieve the stability for which the Mission was established. In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge Ms. Sandra Honoré for her work as the head of the MINUSTAH at a time marked by challenges and difficulties. She has carried out outstanding work, as she has showed us once again today with the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General. Guatemala will continue to support her leadership.

I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

I would like to thank you, Madam President, and all Security Council members for the dedication and for having chosen to convene this debate on the situation in Haiti. We also thank Special Representative Sandra Honoré for her detailed briefing to the Security Council and her tireless commitment, to which many of us have borne witness in the field itself. We also thank you, Madam President, for your part in the invitation of the Secretary-General, who recently visited us in the region. Colombia associates itself with the statement made by the Ambassador of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. Security, stability and achieving more dignified conditions for the people of Haiti, as well as strengthening the institutional capacities of its democracy, must remain the priorities of the international community’s commitment to Haiti. It is the only country on our American continent that still has a United Nations stabilization mission, as its Permanent Representative Ambassador Régis, whom I welcome, has just recalled. We therefore share the concern of the Secretary-General about the impasse in adopting the electoral law in the Senate and the holding of the long-awaited legislative, municipal and local elections elections in October, as was planned. Colombia joins its voice to the urgent call of all participants to the Haitian political actors to discharge their duty towards their citizens, who elect them, and to ensure stronger democracy in Haiti. As has been said, it is clear that there has been progress in areas such as ensuring security, reducing violence and relocating many displaced persons to camps. There has also been clear progress in increased economic growth and a positive gross domestic product, as well as efforts to attract foreign investment and to develop agriculture. We have witnessed that in person on the ground. However, there are still many challenges. With regard to an accelerated reduction of MINUSTAH, which could also mean setbacks in the achievements made, in particular the necessary support for the holding of elections to reaffirm the democratic vision of Haiti that we have historically seen in our region, we are concerned that the decision must not be made solely on the basis of the conditions on the ground, but also taking into account budgetary factors. The upcoming elections on 14 October and the presidential elections of 2015 represents an enormous challenge that requires the due support and ongoing backing of the international community and of MINUSTAH and its military and police components, in which Colombia actively participates. We should not lose sight of the fact that a reduction in MINUSTAH is not limited solely to troop numbers — for example, to one or two contingents. On the contrary, it would affect many more areas of the mission, which undertakes invaluable efforts in areas such as institution-building, decentralization, and disaster mitigation and response in a country that we have seen to be extremely vulnerable to such disasters, including technical electoral assistance and stronger support for the Haitian National Police. We therefore raise a voice of caution against possible further reductions in MINUSTAH. Such a decision should always be linked to strengthening the conditions to enable the Haitian people to restore full democratic normality, as well as stronger and improved economic and social conditions. That is ultimately what the international community seeks.

I now give the floor to Mr. Mayr- Harting. Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting: In the interests of time, I would refer representatives to the written version of my statement. I will deliver a shortened version. (spoke in French) I have the honour to take the floor on behalf the European Union, I would like to thank the Secretary- General for his report (S/2014/617) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her briefing. I would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Haiti for his presentation. The candidate countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Iceland and Serbia; the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as Ukraine and Armenia, align themselves with this statement. The strengthening of democratic gains is essential to ensuring stability and to meeting the huge socioeconomic and development challenges facing the vast majority of the Haitian society. The European Union is determined to act in line with the other partners to ensure that that progress remains irreversible. For the past few months, the European Union has pursued its contacts with the various institutional actors to promote dialogue and to find the necessary compromises to meet the electoral timeline that was determioned by the decree signed by President Martelly on 14 July. It is therefore with regret and concern that we see continuing difficulties in the implementation of the El Rancho Accord. That impasse makes it unlikely that the elections can take place before the end of the year on the basis of a revised electoral law. The European Union believes that respect for the time frame provided for by the Constitution and the need to ensure the functioning of democratic institutions should be a goal shared by all the political forces in Haiti. Given the real risk of a legislative and judicial vacuum from January 2015, the European Union calls for a permanent solution to ensure the continuity of the legislative mechanisms that would enjoy the broadest possible consensus among the relevant political and institutional actors. The dispatch of an election observer mission to Haiti is not planned. However, in addition to the contribution of €5 million to the electoral fund managed by the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union could consider sending an electoral expert group, as was done during the 2011 elections. The European Union welcomes the continuing decrease in the number of displaced persons still living in camps. Still, such families continue to live in deplorable conditions. It is therefore crucial for the Government of Haiti to redouble its efforts to ensure adequate living conditions and the fundamental rights of those affected. Cognizant of the persistent needs, the European Union plans to continue its humanitarian commitment in 2015. The European Union has just signed a planning instrument with the Government of Haiti for the period 2014 to 2020, with an allocation of €420 million. That demonstrates the European Union’s continued commitment to supporting the Government in its strategy for the country’s development and socioeconomic recovery. The European Union also welcomes the significant drop in the number of cholera cases recorded between 2013 and 2014, as noted in the Secretary-General’s report. A number of sectors covered by European assistance for the period 2014 to 2020, such as urban renewal, education and support for structural reforms to State administration, could well contribute to the United Nations plan for the eradication of cholera. The European Union remains ready to explore concrete possibilities for cooperation with the relevant United Nations agencies. We take note of the Secretary-General’s recommendations envisaging a substantial reduction in the military component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) by 2015, with an additional decrease following the presidential elections. Within the context of an overall improvement in the security situation, we also note a 30 per cent rise in demonstrations with a socioeconomic cast and a two-fold increase in the number of demonstrations accompanied by violence, while the number of demonstrations of a political nature has remained stable. That leads to the conclusion that, rather than a polarization of the political sphere, there continue to be grave social and economic inequalities that represent a real threat to Haiti’s stability and security. In that regard, the European Union would like to stress the importance of continuing to work with determination on the root causes that underlie those inequalities. For its part, the European Union intends to pursue a process of consideration and consultation with the Club of Madrid aimed at a vast number of institutional and civil society actors. In conclusion, allow me to express the appreciation of the European Union for MINUSTAH’s important contribution, 10 years on, to stabilizing the security situation and consolidating democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. The European Union remains determined to support the Haitian authorities, the United Nations and the international community in order to ensure a better future for all of Haiti’s people.

I now give the floor to the representative of Spain.

I thank the President for convening this debate. I would like to begin by thanking Ambassador Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her presentation of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2014/617), as well as for her work as Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). In addition, I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations. Spain is a strong ally of Haiti, as evidenced by the fact that, simply put, Haiti is far and away the biggest recipient of Spain’s official development assistance. I think that fact speaks for the warm feelings of sympathy and regard that the Spanish people feel for Haiti. While I align myself with the statement just made by the observer of the European Union, I would like to add some remarks in my national capacity with respect to a number of issues that concern the political, security and humanitarian situation. I will then add some thoughts on the future of MINUSTAH. Spain shares the concern with regard to the political situaution expressed by the Secretary-General in his report. The current political impasse in Haiti could jeopardize the elections planned for the end of this year. Spain therefore believes that the only possible option is a dialogue among the parties. With regard to the security situation, we note with satisfaction that there was progress between 2013 and 2014, due in no small part to institutional strengthening of the Haitian National Police and the role of MINUSTAH. However, we need to do more. We need to work harder. We share the Secretary-General’s suggestion, as put forth in his report, that there needs to be a greater commitment by the Haitian Government for an expansion of the Haitian police force. On the humanitarian front, I would like to acknowledge and greatly appreciates the efforts of MINUSTAH. We also commend the efforts carried out by the entire international community to effectively curb the tragic cholera epidemic. Spain supports the consideration under way for some time now by the Secretary-General on the future of MINUSTAH. However, in the current political context, which has been well explored in today’s meeting, Spain shares the Secretary-General’s analysis in the sense that the timeline for a reconfiguration of the components of the Mission should take into account the political and security situation, and that it should have greater flexibility based on both short- and medium-term analysis of the situation. I would like to underscore the word flexibilitly. On the other hand, we believe that MINUSTAH’s role will be fundamental in guaranteeing the normal development of a secure and transparent electoral process, as well as the establishment of a new Administration. Therefore, Spain welcomes the recommendation to extend the Mission’s mandate by one more year, until October 2015, on the terms proposed by the Secretary-General.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.

I would like, at the outset, to recognize the presence of Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). I would also like to express my gratitude to the Secretary- General for his report on MINUSTAH (S/2014/617). My country assigns the utmost priority to the situation in Haiti and has, over the years, offered all its available support to help that brother country overcome adversity, both through bilateral channels as well as multilateral ones such as MINUSTAH, for example, without mentioning the assistance that has been provided by the Union of South American Nations. The situation in Haiti is a priority for all of Latin America. Haiti’s recovery constitutes a unifying element and grounds for Latin American solidarity. In that context, it is understandable that our region should contribute more than 75 per cent of MINUSTAH’s military contingents. The development of Latin America in recent years, at every level, has allowed the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to proclaim the region of Latin America a zone of peace. In that sense, I would like to express my country’s hope that we will one day be able to refer to MINUSTAH as the last peacekeeping operation that was established in the zone of peace known as Latin America. To that end, it is is essential to preserve its successful management and proper administration in the present so as to ensure the success of its final phase. In this context, the decisions that are carried out around MINUSTAH with a view to its legacy should ensure the sustainability of the progress achieved, which will require a strategy of gradual, progressive and responsible withdrawal that responds to the changing conditions on the ground and not just to budgetary factors. Considerations made on the basis of information not gathered from the situation on the ground could have undesirable consequences for Haiti and the United Nations. More specifically, my delegation believes that the assessment of conditions on the ground of a multidimensional mission like MINUSTAH must take into consideration, in addition to the humanitarian and security situation, issues that are critical to the future stability of Haiti, such as the development of the capacities of the Haitian National Police and to the electoral processes of 2014 and 2015. In this context, while recognizing and appreciating the work of the strategic assessment mission to Haiti, my delegation considers it relevant to recall the importance of maintaining the limits originally proposed and contained in the strategic plan 2013-2016, unless field data allow us to act differently. However, we are concerned that the Security Council could decide to accelerate the consolidation of MINUSTAH while uncertainty persists about the electoral process in 2014 and the necessary amendments to the electoral law, as reported by the head of MINUSTAH. We are also concerned by talk of a speedy consolidation in circumstances in which we still have a long way to go to reach the recommended minimum number of police personnel, as stated in the report of the Secretary- General. In light of the foregoing, we believe that the decision or decisions to be made by the Security Council on strengthening MINUSTAH must also, as always in such cases, be taken with a sense of caution, as the information available continues to be the cause of some troubling uncertainty and prevents us from forming a clear picture of the feasibility of another year of consolidation of MINUSTAH. Finally, I wish to pay due tribute to the men and women of MINUSTAH, whose selfless work deserves our ongoing appreciation and gratitude.

I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

I thank the delegation of the United States for convening this debate and Ms. Sandra Honoré for introducing the report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/617) to us today. My country is pleased to note that the situation in Haiti shows signs of progress in security, the strengthening of the rule of law and the training of the National Police. It is clear that these gains could not have been made without the continued presence of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the support of the United Nations system and others international organizations, in cooperation with the Haitian Government. Thanks to the intrinsic link among development, security and human rights as the cornerstones of the mandate of the Mission, happily we have been able to take measures to advance the restoration of stability and harmony in the country. In his most recent report, the Secretary-General indicates that “Haiti is at an important juncture in the consolidation of stability and democracy” (S/2014/617, para. 68), but warns us most importantly that major challenges remain in the economic, social and political fields, where deep differences continue to hinder the necessary stability in that country. Against this background, Mexico hopes that the commitment of and political dialogue among the relevant actors will create an opportunity to successfully unblock the pending elections that will facilitate a peaceful transition and the normalization of democratic life in Haiti. That view has been expressed by most speakers today. We appreciate the resolve of the Haitian Government to advance its democratic stability. The creation of the Electoral Council and the enactment of measures to amend the electoral law are decisive steps in the right direction. In addition to these challenges, my delegation is concerned about the cholera epidemic, which, although it seems to be in retreat, remains a challenge to the future of Haiti and to the coordination of the efforts of the international community. According to the Haitian Ministry of Health, as of 5 August the epidemic had claimed the lives of 8,000 people and infected more than 800,000. We must not lower our guard. In that regard, the Government of Mexico has followed the situation very closely and is cooperating with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Mexico reiterates its commitment to continuing to promote actions in priority areas for Haitian development, such as agriculture, health, socioeconomic development, the environment, and education areas. Some days ago, we welcomed 100 young Haitians who, in the framework of the 300 Scholarships for Haiti programme, began their studies in various Mexican institutions of higher education. This cooperative venture will contribute to the training of Haitian human capital for the benefit of the development of that country. Another issue that continually arises in these discussions is defining the presence of MINUSTAH in Haiti. We support the recommendations of the Secretary-General for a reconfiguration of the Mission, which must be gradual and based on the premise of the overall stability, safety, training and increasing capacities of the Haitian National Police. This strategy will allow us to continue to strengthen and professionalize the police, and open the possibility of supporting the Haitian Government with a rapid- reaction force when an emergency exceeds the capacity of the national authorities. Mexico agrees with the Secretary-General that the drawdown of MINUSTAH must be progressive but prudent, and based on a transition plan coordinated between the Mission, the States Members of the United Nations and the Haitian Government. History has clearly shown us how on some ocassions our timetables have not always been the most optimal. We should be prepared to make the adjustments that are necessary. Our delegation believes that an abrupt withdrawl of the Mission could lead to the return of political instability, with untold consequences. It is essential to consolidate the progress made without undermining security. In conclusion, I should like to pay tribute to the men and women deployed in MINUSTAH, who contiue to do outstanding work to establish the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Peru.

I should like to commend the initiative of the presidency of the Security Council to convene this debate on the situation in Haiti. I am also pleased to welcome the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré. I am grateful to her for her briefing on the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Haiti (S/2014/617). My delegation associates itself with the statement by the delegation of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, especially with regard to recognition of the important work accomplished the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). We believe that the presence of MINUSTAH in Haiti continues to be essential to provide the Haitian authorities the security and support needed to facilitate the process of democratic consolidation in the country. Peru is committed to achieving and consolidating security, stability and sustainable development and to strengthening institutions in Haiti. That is why my country has actively participated in MINUSTAH since 2004, with a military contingent comprised of 372 soldiers, including female staff in the field as well as military officers among Mission headquarters staff. According to the report of the Secretary-General, the situation in Haiti has not changed substantially since last March. We see that mainly in the political aspect, an area in which we lament the lack of concrete progress in holding the long-delayed legislative, municipal and local elections. We are concerned that the elections will not be held as scheduled on 26 October, as this further delay could lead to a climate of political instability and lack of governance in Haiti. My delegation therefore reiterates its call to all Haitian political forces to achieve the necessary agreements to allow the holding of the elections, which represent an important milestone in the process of democratic consolidation in Haiti, which also includes the presidential elections scheduled for 2015 and an orderly handover 2016. While the security situation in Haiti remains stable thanks to the crucial work of MINUSTAH, there has been an increase in protests, mostly caused by political tensions, socioeconomic problems and a lack of basic services. That serves to remind us that the cooperation of the United Nations system with Haiti should be comprehensive. While I reiterate our appreciation for the work of the military component of MINUSTAH in ensuring stability and security in Haiti, I also wish to reiterate our support for the MINUSTAH consolidation plan for the period 2013 to 2016, by which it was established that decisions on the future of the Mission would be taken on the basis of the conditions on the ground — an approach that has been incorporated in the report of the Secretary-General. Although my delegation welcomes the progress made by Haiti in implementing the five-year development plan for the Haitian National Police, the report of the Secretary-General notes that the institution does not yet have the capacity needed to maintain public order and the safety of its population throughout the country’s entire territory. It must therefore rely on MINUSTAH’s support. In that regard, we believe that accelerating the process of reducing the number of MINUSTAH uniformed personnel could pose a risk in the consolidation of internal security and to the stability and sustainability of the democratic process in Haiti. For Peru, a possible reduction in the military component should be done gradually and responsibly in order to ensure the sustainability of the progress made. My delegation is aware of the growing challenges facing the Organization in its efforts to maintain international peace and security. However, we believe that when the time comes to renew the mandate of a peacekeeping mission, those needs should not take precedence over the situation on the ground. In conclusion, my delegation reiterates that the important achievements of MINUSTAH to date should not lead to the false impression that the task is completed, or even close to it. Experience has taught us the serious consequences suffered in the past when the Organization decided to withdraw its presence from the ground before it should have. My country therefore hopes that MINUSTAH will be able to conclude the positive work it has been doing in Haiti successfully and without undue haste.

I now give the floor to Ms. Honoré to respond to the comments made. Ms. Honoré: I would like contributors to rest assured that I have taken careful note of their observations, as well as those made by Council members, other Member States, including Haiti, and the multilateral organization. Those observations and recommendations, based on the mandate entrusted by the Council to the Mission to support security and stabilization in Haiti have focused on the Mission’s core functions of support for the Haitian National Police, the strengthening of the rule of law and the promotion of human rights, and increased electoral management capacity. I have also taken note of the Council’s expectations of the Mission with respect to important governance issues, such as elections and institution-building. On behalf of the Mission’s staff — military, police, civilians, both international and Haitian, and United Nations Volunteers — I thank everyone for the many expressions of support for the Mission’s efforts. We look forward to continued service in the interests of the people of Haiti, in collaboration with the Government, its international partners and the United Nations country team, on the basis of the mandate of the Security Council.

I thank Ms. Honoré for her clarifications. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.