S/PV.8342 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Haiti to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, 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/2018/795, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. I now give the floor to Ms. Keita.

At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to the United States, in its capacity as President of the Security Council, for convening today’s meeting on Haiti. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Haiti. I am happy to present to the Security Council the second of four reports (S/2018/795) requested by the Security Council during the current mandate of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), which ends on 15 April 2019, in accordance with resolution 2410 (2018). I will also provide an update on developments in Haiti since the report was published, on 30 August. (spoke in English) The report reviews the Mission’s work with the Government, the United Nations country team and external partners to prepare, in accordance with resolution 2410 (2028), the transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence in the country beginning no sooner than 15 October 2019. The focus of MINUJUSTH remains centred on mandate implementation, particularly in the priority areas identified by the benchmarked exit strategy, which weaves together a framework of the evolving conditions under which the current United Nations configuration can confidently transform into a non-peacekeeping presence in the country. Following the report of the Secretary-General of June 2018 (S/2018/527), which presented the 11 benchmarks to the Council, this report provides a measure of their implementation through an assessment of 46 distinct indicators. To that end, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Mission have jointly engaged in an exercise to set up a more comprehensive data-collection mechanism and to track the progress of each indicator since the Council took note of the benchmarks three months ago. The visual infographics that are being distributed to Council members are the result of that exercise. The dashboard, which presents a diverse and representative sample of the main areas covered by the benchmarks, is not meant to replace the comprehensive overview that the benchmarks in their entirety reflect, but rather gives a quick, general overview of the progress made thus far. The traffic-light matrix included in annex I to the report provides a more comprehensive picture depicting the trend in the realization of each of the 46 indicators. Both visual aids tell the same story — there has been some progress, albeit uneven, in most areas. Nonetheless, several challenges remain and dedicated intervention to spur progress is required for all targets to be achieved by October 2019. Constant efforts must be undertaken, for example, to ensure that the development plan of the Haitian National Police is fully implemented, so that both the professionalism and the number of police officers continue to improve. As the dashboard shows, the rate of officers per 1,000 citizens has slightly dropped, to 1.32, for several reasons, including resignations. Members can see the three elements reflected on the visual aid, with regard to the police. I mentioned the first element as an example. The indicators are also a useful tool for the Mission and highlight the areas in which more focused strategies and renewed efforts are necessary to address the thornier issues. Many of those will require political, rather than technical, work to make a difference. In that regard, it is important to point out that, in consultation with the Haitian authorities, MINUJUSTH has developed a political strategy that seeks to help build momentum and strengthen political buy-in from Haitian stakeholders, through a concrete course of action within a clear timeline, in support of efforts by the Haitian authorities to achieve key targets under the benchmarks and in close cooperation with other international partners. One such critical area on which progress on several benchmarks hinges is the adoption and promulgation of key rule-of-law legislation. While the Mission is engaged in providing support to Parliament to implement a road map towards the adoption of the draft penal code and the draft code of criminal procedure, and is encouraging legislators to finalize and adopt the draft law on legal aid, the drafting of legislation to enhance police work and improve the functioning of the penitentiary administration has yet to commence. I am referring to the first visual aid pertaining to legislation, covered in benchmark 1 and indicator 1. Similarly, indicators, such as the availability of the national action plan for human rights and human rights obligations, shown on the previous slide, are covered in benchmark 9 and indicator 1. The nomination of the nine members of a Permanent Electoral Council, which is the last visual aid on the dashboard, is covered in benchmark 11 and indicator 1. The representation of women in key State institutions, such as the Court of Cassation and the Superior Council of the Judiciary, have not been achieved. That slide refers to judicial appointments, with three methods to monitor the gender situation, covered in benchmarks 2 (a), 2 (b) and 2 (c). Targets on oversight and accountability bodies are also lagging, especially those pertaining to judicial inspection, covered in benchmark 5 and indicator 1. They are critical to the strengthening of the judiciary, and, once achieved, would ensure a speedier reduction in the length of prolonged pretrial detention, on which progress is so badly needed. It is covered in benchmark 1 and indicator 8. (spoke in French) With regard to security, while the number of murders fell during the period under review, covered in benchmark 6 and indicator 3, significant threats persist, including an increase in gang-related crimes. Armed gangs in Martissant and other areas south of Port-au-Prince — covered in benchmark 6 and indicator 5 — seeking to expand their illegal operations and areas of influence in order to generate greater resources and position themselves before the next legislative elections, in 2019, remain a challenge for the Haitian National Police. Regrettably, armed gangs are still well known for the pressure they exert on politicians to negotiate access to areas under their control during the election campaign period, and, in many cases, even their attempts to influence elections in their favour. The successful implementation of the Haitian National Police 2017-2021 development plan, with the support of MINUJUSTH, will enable the Haitian Government to gradually continue to assume its security responsibilities. Although an evaluation of the first year of implementation of the plan, to be presented to donors on 10 September, shows encouraging signs of progress, it also reveals gaps that must be addressed quickly to ensure that progress continues. They include the lack of sustained efforts by national authorities and international partners to provide the necessary financial resources to support the full implementation of the plan. In that regard, the ongoing commitment of the country’s leaders and the international community will be essential as the transition progresses. In close consultation with its national counterparts, MINUJUSTH has developed an integrated security transition plan, as requested by the Council. The plan will guide the first phase of a responsible and effective withdrawal of the United Nations police presence in Haiti, in accordance with resolution 2410 (2018) — from seven to five formed police units (FPUs), between 15 October and 15 April 2019. One unit, with special weapons and tactics capacity, will be transferred to Port-au-Prince, while two formed police units will cease operations by early March 2019 in anticipation of the repatriation of their personnel and equipment by the end of the same month. The regions from which the FPUs will be withdrawn have been selected on the basis of their respective levels of stability, improved security situation, progress made in achieving target indicators and the need to ensure the smooth functioning of MINUJUSTH operations until October 2019. Mitigation measures are being put in place to accompany the withdrawal, in consultation with the Haitian authorities. Above and beyond clear, well-crafted plans, the situation on the ground must be closely monitored. Today marks exactly two months after the beginning of the violence that broke out on the streets of Haiti amid protests against the abolition of long-standing subsidies for oil products, which has led to an increase of 38 per cent in the price of petrol and diesel and 51 per cent in that of kerosene. Such a flare-up in violence, not seen in Haiti for several years, highlights the volatility of the current security situation. Since the July unrest, the authorities have not sought to address the root causes of the unstable social conditions, while the process by Parliament to ratify the policy statement of the appointed Prime Minister and the assumption of office by the new Government remain pending. Resentment among the people is fuelled by a steady stream of revelations about the alleged benefits of State officials and the debate surrounding the questionable use of PetroCaribe funds over the past 10 years. The risk of major unrest remains at a heightened level, given the combination of political and socioeconomic triggers without losing sight of the possibility of natural disasters during the current hurricane season. (spoke in English) Time is of the essence to make concrete progress on MINUJUSTH’s mandate implementation through the 11 benchmarks acknowledged by the Council. Together, MINUJUSTH, the country team, the Government of Haiti and other partners will need to redouble efforts to make up for the time lost because of the challenges resulting from the events of 6 to 8 July, given the time-bound nature of the mandate and the transition process. Those are all challenges that must be addressed by a fully functioning Government, the forthcoming establishment of which presents an invaluable opportunity to reset the dynamics among national actors, reinvigorate the national sector-based dialogue and catalyse the devising and adoption of a new governance and stability pact. In that regard, we welcome the announcement by Prime Minister- designate Jean-Henri Céant of the proposed members of his ministerial Cabinet. A new Government and the leadership of the newly appointed Head of MINUJUSTH and Special Representative of the Secretary General for Haiti, Ms. Helen La Lime, who is here with us today, should create renewed momentum in our partnership with Haiti, the strength of which is essential to the achievement of our transition targets. Ms. La Lime, who assumed her functions and began her in-briefing in New York this week, will deploy to Port-au-Prince next week. We hope that the Security Council and the friends of Haiti will continue to provide strong support for their endeavours.

I thank Ms. Keita for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I welcome Her Excellency Ms. Leona Marlin-Romeo, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands would like to express its sincere thanks to Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Bintou Keita for her excellent briefing on the situation in Haiti. We are pleased by the attendance of Special Representative Helen La Lime. We warmly welcome her appointment and wish her good luck in executing her duties. I am particularly pleased to be here today. Sint Maarten, a small island developing State and autonomous country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is the proud home to more than 118 distinct nationalities. One of the largest of those is the Haitian diaspora, numbering more than 1,000 persons. With such strong social ties, the events in Haiti are very much felt at home. As part of the Caribbean region, we also share some of Haiti’s vulnerabilities to natural disasters and climate change. Today marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma, the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. Let me commemorate here the people who passed away or were injured, those who lost their homes and livelihoods and those who today continue to rebuild their lives — not only in Sint Maarten, but also in neighbouring Caribbean countries. Throughout the region, work remains under way to improve resilience and ensure a full recovery from its devastating impact. Our national recovery and resilience plan will include institutional reform and capacity-building. We are discussing the situation in Haiti today against the background of the benchmarked two-year exit strategy to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence. For that transition to happen successfully, a further strengthening of the rule of law is paramount. The rule of law is the bedrock of any just, prosperous and peaceful society. It is an element of trust for both the population and investors, and it helps cushion external and internal shocks, which Haiti recurrently undergoes. Sint Maarten, as a Caribbean country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, recognizes that challenge. Over the past few years, Haiti has made significant progress in difficult circumstances, but, as the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/795) indicates, substantial work remains to be done. The Kingdom of the Netherlands therefore encourages the Government of Haiti to continue institutional reform, strengthen rule-of-law institutions and improve respect for human rights. That means increased engagement by the Government with MINUJUSTH in all those areas, but it also means providing the necessary political, legislative and budgetary support. One important dimension in that regard is judicial reform. To that end, the Parliament needs to swiftly adopt both the criminal code and the code of criminal procedure. The rule of law also requires effective and accountable security institutions, in particular police and correctional facilities. The outbreak of violence in July serves as a reminder that the security situation in Haiti continues to be fragile, and it could be challenged again in the coming months. It is of paramount importance that the Haitian National Police improve its ability to manage such threats and shore up the trust of the Haitian people in its performance. Particular attention should be accorded to the reported increase in gang activities and any perceived vulnerabilities following the scaling down of the presence of formed police units in two areas. We commend Haiti on recent steps taken in cooperation with MINUJUSTH to increase the capacity of its national police. In that regard, I would also like to highlight two very positive developments: the increasing number of women recruited and the specialized office for sexual violence crime, which has been embedded within the judicial police directorate. With regard to sexual-based violence we welcome the initiatives undertaken to increase awareness, although the noted underreporting remains worrisome. It is essential that perpetrators of those serious crimes are prosecuted. The Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes the thorough report of the Secretary General, which transparently measures the level of progress made with regard to the Mission’s mandate against the previously elaborated benchmarks. We also appreciate the capacity assessment, security transition plan and mitigating measures that MINUJUSTH has drafted and identified. All that should ensure a robust framework for the transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence, thereby leading to a responsible withdrawal based on the situation on the ground. The Government of Haiti, the Mission and the United Nations country team should continue to work closely together towards achieving that. The coming period will be crucial in that regard. We wholeheartedly support the Secretary- General’s urgent call to redouble efforts to ensure attaining the benchmarks. As a close neighbour to Haiti, Sint Maarten and the Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly support Haitian aspirations to achieving peace, justice and development. The necessary foundations for that are clear — a strengthening of the rule of law, including by increasing the police, justice and corrections capacity, a swift implementation of priority actions and increased respect for human rights. To that end, the Government of Haiti should take full advantage of the presence of MINUJUSTH until its exit, and of the United Nations country team thereafter. The Kingdom of Netherlands will continue to support the United Nations-committed work in Haiti.

First of all, I thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, for her enlightening briefing. The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) is doing excellent work by providing support to the Haitian authorities in a country where the security, economic, social and environmental contexts remain fragile. The protests that took place in July, which prompted the Security Council to request the parties to restore calm, have sorely tested the Haitian National Police and proved the importance of pursuing and stepping up efforts to achieve lasting stability in Haiti, in particular by building the capacity of the Haitian National Police, together with MINUJUSTH. That awareness and, in particular, its translation into action are even more important as we move towards transition through an exit strategy that will begin on the ground with the withdrawal of two police units by 15 April next year. In that context, I would like to underscore three points that are critical to consolidating the rule of law, without which there will be no lasting stability. First, with regard to the Haitian National Police — one of the pillars of stability — we welcome the strengthening of the national police force, which now has more than 15,000 officers. In a volatile security context, marked by the presence of criminal gangs in several regions of the country, it is those officers who are helping to build the rule of law on the ground. France welcomes the support provided by MINUJUSTH in that area, in situations that are at times dangerous, and calls on the Haitian authorities to take full responsibility for managing public disturbances ahead of the Mission’s departure. In order to ensure the long-term effectiveness and resilience of law enforcement, France urges the Haitian authorities to avoid politicizing the National Police. As seen in the past, politicization would be incompatible with the lasting stability for which we and the Haitians are striving. It is essential to put in place recruitment procedures based on professional merit, neutrality and impartiality that meet rule-of- law criteria. Secondly, concerning justice, without which there can be no political legitimacy, it is now up to Haiti to pursue, in line with its national plan, all avenues for improving the judicial system established by MINUJUSTH, including issues related to the efficiency of the criminal justice system and detention conditions in prisons. It is therefore crucial to build the trust of the Haitians in the capacity and willingness of the judicial system to fight crime. At times it is said that this goal can wait, on the grounds that priority should be given to economic development. Nothing could be further from the truth. Equitable and sustainable development depends essentially on building the rule of law under which all economic actors can enjoy the legal certainty that encourages them to invest — that is, to build the future of their nation. Furthermore, there can be no economic development without resolute action to fight corruption. France therefore encourages the Haitian authorities to continue their efforts in that direction and to do their utmost to bring those responsible to justice and eradicate the problem. Lastly, in connection with the issue of justice I just addressed, it is essential to pursue efforts in the area of respect for human rights in order to assure Haitians of respect for their fundamental rights. That is a prerequisite for the stability of Haiti and the well-being of the Haitian people. France calls for continued efforts to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsperson for Human Rights and to consolidate the implementation of the 2014 strategic plan, in particular by appointing a high-level focal point in the Government. France also calls on Haiti to reduce the number of detainees held in pretrial detention for more than two years, improve detention conditions and launch fully independent investigations into human rights violations committed by law enforcement. It is also essential that transitional justice mechanisms be put in place to shed light on massive human rights violations committed in the past. With regard to that and other issues, France expects the Haitian authorities to redouble their efforts ahead of the transition period and the drawdown of MINUJUSTH. The United Nations has taken action, as expected by the international community, in particular after the tragic earthquake in 2010. As we approach a new phase in the relationship between Haiti and the United Nations, France strongly encourages the Haitian authorities to make the most of MINUJUSTH — now headed by Ms. La Lime, whom I wish every success in her work — in order to lay the foundation for a successful transition.

First of all, I would like to welcome Her Excellency Ms. Leona Marlin-Romeo, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten. I wish her a pleasant stay in New York. Through you, Mr. President, allow me to extend our sincerest thanks to the delegation of the United States for having included this item on the agenda for the month of September. We thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for her detailed and informative briefing, as well as for her important role and achievements in Haiti. My delegation welcomes the appointment on 1 August of Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime as the new Special Representative for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). We trust that her academic background and experience will greatly assist her in her duties. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is closely following developments in Haiti and notes the ongoing efforts of its Government, the United Nations and partners to address the country’s challenges and best promote the sustainable development of Haitian society as a whole. We are deeply concerned about the events of early July — the street protests in Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country as a result of an increase in fuel prices. We deplore the fact that those protests led to loss of life and caused considerable collateral damage. The peaceful manifestation of dissent by citizens must respect the laws of the country so that those involved do not harm those who do not support them. In that regard, we welcome President Jovenel Moïse’s praiseworthy position and his initiative to eliminate subsidies on oil products, as well as his subsequent appeal to citizens to remain calm and return to their homes. The delegation of Equatorial Guinea commends the visit in May by members of the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, who had the opportunity to meet with President Moïse, other political actors and representatives of civil society and development agencies operating in the country. They discussed socioeconomic issues, development priorities and the rule of law, inter alia. We are confident that such meetings will serve to promote the sustainable development that the Haitian people need. We note the valuable work of the legislature, as evidenced by its adoption of key bills, such as that of access for persons with disabilities to buildings and facilities; the establishment of a fund for persons with disabilities; as well as the creation, organization and functioning of the National Council on Legal Aid, among others. We believe that the vision to better integrate persons with disabilities demonstrates that the political will exists to extend the development of Haiti to all social strata. Similarly, we welcome the support of UNICEF for the construction of a juvenile court, which will open before the end of the year. We believe that it is a good justice initiative that will strengthen the rule of law. We commend the United Nations for its enhanced efforts to eradicate cholera in Haiti. There has been a steady decline in the number of cholera cases since the end of 2016, and that trend should continue for the rest of the year. I wish to conclude by expressing my support for, and gratitude to, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti for its efforts. I call on all State institutions in Haiti — the Government, Parliament, the courts, the national police and civil society — to collaborate closely with President Jovenel Moïse and to support him in his reform agenda with a view to promoting the sustainable development of Haiti, which absolutely requires upholding the law, respect for human rights, good governance, respect for State authority and the strengthening of Haiti’s legal institutions.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for her objective and comprehensive briefing and for her valuable contribution to today’s deliberations. We also commend her able team for its effective work. We welcome the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten and the Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Chamber. Back in April, the Security Council voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) for one year (see S/PV.8226). We would like to take this opportunity to commend the Mission’s work in launching a number of important projects and initiatives, inter alia, supporting the rule of law, contributing to the continuing development of the Haitian National Police and protecting human rights. Kazakhstan commends the efforts undertaken by President Moïse and his Government to promote stability, security, economic development and social changes in the country. The Haitian Government’s reiterated call for the need to more closely align international development assistance with those national priorities is commendable. At the same time, while recognizing the significant progress achieved in improving the political and security environment, some key issues have yet to be addressed in a number of priority areas, such as fighting against cholera, the severe overcrowding of prisons, enacting anti-corruption measures and ensuring financial and economic stability, food security and the stabilization of the humanitarian situation. We fully support the Secretary-General’s observation in his latest report (S/2018/795) that the violent events of July underscored the importance of building broad- based political support to implement key economic reforms, which are basic prerequisites for the long-term stability of Haiti. Against that background, the joint efforts of the international community to achieve progress will be essential to consolidating the stability gains and establishing a strong foundation for long-term political stability, security and development. Kazakhstan encourages the Government to foster greater cooperation with regional organizations, particularly the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States, with a view to identifying and leveraging new opportunities for partnership. As the United Nations system prepares for a smooth and effective transition towards sustainable development, we also call for the different United Nations entities on the ground and the Headquarters to continue working as One United Nations through a more integrated and coordinated approach. In conclusion, we strongly believe that the Government, the Mission, the United Nations country team and all international and regional partners must continue to work together to plan for the transition and beyond. It will be essential to anticipate, address and mitigate all challenges that may emerge from the transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence in Haiti.

We appreciate the convening of this meeting and the comprehensive and illuminating briefing of Ms. Bintou Keita. We would like to welcome the appointment of Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti and wish her every success. We also welcome the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten. Three months ago, we adopted resolution 2410 (2018), which extends the Mission’s mandate until April 2019 and lays the groundwork for ensuring the transition to a post-peacekeeping presence by the United Nations system in the country. To that end, we wish to stress the importance of the goals and the 46 indicators proposed by the Secretary-General to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the transition promoted by the Mission, the Government of Haiti and the United Nations country team. However, we believe that much remains to be done to achieve an effective an transition. The violent demonstrations in July and the subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Lafontant, as noted by Ms. Keita, reflect the volatility of the situation and the precariousness of the balance required for the political, economic and social consolidation of the country. We welcome the appointment of Mr. Jean Henry Céant as the new Prime Minister. We look forward to his prompt ratification by Parliament and the formation of a new Government. We also stress the need for Parliament to speed up the process of adopting the criminal code and the criminal procedural code, as well as the urgency of constituting the Permanent Electoral Council. In the area of security, on the one hand, we are concerned about the increase in gang-related violence and violent protests; on the other, we highlight the important programmes to reduce communal violence, and in particular the work of mobile teams and the implementation of quick-impact projects. We also stress the importance of the Mission’s support for the national police. However, we are concerned about reports of human rights violations by law enforcement agencies and the lack of investigations, which favours impunity and limits access to justice. We hope that the completion of the first annual evaluation of the strategic development plan of the national police, carried out with the assistance of the Mission, will make it possible to improve capacities to defend and promote human rights. In the justice sector, we are concerned about the persistence of prolonged pretrial detentions and prison overcrowding. We therefore appreciate the growing number of legal cases and the Mission’s assistance with the penitentiary system. We also welcome the appointment of the Ministry of Justice as the new focal point for human rights, and we hope that it will soon be formalized. We also look forward to the speedy ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which has been pending since its signature in 2013. We consider it essential to remedy the problems of overlapping functions with the Ministry of Justice and to speed up the appointment of judges in order to ensure the efficient functioning of the justice system. We believe that the draft strategic plan of the Superior Council of the Judiciary should serve those objectives. Additionally, we would like to highlight the renovation of the headquarters of the unit to combat sexual crimes, thanks to Norway’s cooperation, as well as the increase in the number of investigations. To that end, we emphasize that due attention to victims and access to justice require psychological and medical assistance. Those are some of the areas in which the Government of Haiti needs to redouble its efforts in order to achieve the goals set within the framework of the Mission’s exit strategy. I conclude by reiterating my country’s commitment and support for the efforts of the Haitian people and the Government to build sustainable peace.

My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his report (S/2018/795) on the discharge of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), pursuant to the relevant recommendations set out resolution 2410 (2018). We thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for her detailed briefing on recent developments in Haiti and the activities of MINUJUSTH during the period under review. Côte d’Ivoire is very concerned about developments in Haiti, characterized by the recent social protests that led to the loss of human life and significant material damage. My country condemns those unfortunate events, which undermine the rebuilding process and exacerbate the living conditions of the Haitian population, which aspires to peace, stability and development. In the light of the Secretary-General’s report, my delegation will focus on three issues — the sociopolitical situation, the economic situation and the exit strategy. On the political front, the situation in Haiti remains worrisome due to the persistence of socio-political tensions. Côte d’Ivoire therefore calls on all stakeholders to act with restraint and respect the rule of law. It also urges them to engage in an inclusive political dialogue to address the major challenges facing the country. In that regard, it welcomes the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in providing consensual responses to the social challenges raised by the rising price of oil. My delegation also welcomes the appointment of Mr. Jean Henry Céant as Prime Minister in early August. It looks forward to the approval of his appointment by Parliament, as well as the formation of a Government whose mission will be to lead Haiti towards the consolidation of peace and stability. My delegation believes that the achievement of these objectives should take into account the following aspects: the strengthening of cooperation between the executive branch and Parliament; the fight against corruption; reform of the texts governing political parties; the need for the Government, the various political parties and members of civil society to overcome their political differences; the adoption of a governance or stability pact, which should result from the national sector-based dialogue and encourage all relevant actors and institutions to support the implementation of agreed political, economic and social objectives. My country also calls on the international community to support all efforts to promote dialogue in Haiti in order to create conditions favourable to the holding of peaceful, credible and transparent parliamentary and local elections in October 2019. Côte d’Ivoire urges the Haitian authorities to fulfil their obligations with a view to guaranteeing the success of the electoral process. With regard to the difficult economic situation in Haiti, my delegation urges the Haitian authorities to take appropriate measures to create a climate of trust between the population and national institutions and to reassure investors in order to mobilize the financing necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To that end, the Government of Haiti should adopt legislative reforms and implement programmes and projects that address the immediate and long-term needs of the population. Finally, under the post-crisis strategy, my delegation welcomes the commitment of MINUJUSTH, the United Nations country team and all other partners working with the people and Government of Haiti to build peace, stability and development of Haiti. My delegation MINUJUSTH welcomes, in that regard, the actions successfully carried out by the Government of Haiti with the support of MINUJUSTH, including the mitigation measures taken to accompany the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission, prevent a security vacuum and ensure a smooth transition in the departments concerned with the strengthening of the capacities of the Haitian National Police, as well as the intensification of the community violence reduction programme; the finalization of the security transition plan in anticipation of the withdrawal of MINUJUSTH, taking into account the risks and national capacities to respond adequately to security needs; the development of the joint resource mobilization strategy to support the implementation of strategic priorities, taking into account the requirements of transition planning. My delegation also welcomes the results achieved with respect to respect for the rule of law and the promotion of gender and human rights, including the improvement of the detention conditions of the prison population. The success of the MINUJUSTH exit strategy will inevitably involve close cooperation and the harmonization of priorities among the various stakeholders to build and consolidate Haitian public institutions. My delegation therefore calls on the Government of Haiti to collaborate fully with the United Nations so as to ensure the success of the previously identified priority tasks in order to achieve a smooth and efficient transition without a United Nations peacekeeping presence. In that regard, my country urges the Haitian authorities to take all measures necessary to meet the persistent challenges, including the capacity building of the Haitian National Police and the pursuit of reform in all rule-of-law sectors, including human rights and criminal justice reforms. It also encourages the Haitian authorities to take steps to implement the principle of accountability for the perpetrators of proven violations of human rights. In conclusion, my delegation congratulates all United Nations staff who work tirelessly to strengthen peace and development of Haiti. We wish Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of MINUJUSTH, every success in her new duties.

At the outset, we thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Ms. Bintou Keita, for her briefing on the latest events in the Republic of Haiti and on the activities of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). We also welcome the Prime Minister of Saint Maarten. We regret the events that occurred during the month of July, which confirm the importance of and the obvious link that exists between economic development and stability, and highlight the failure of structural adjustment prescriptions that do not take into account local realities or the effect they can have on the population, in particular on the poorest sector — which, instead of benefiting from such measures, is stripped of what it has — and that undermine the economic, political and social stability of the country . We believe that, in light of these facts, it is of the utmost importance that Haiti work in pursuit of political consensus with a view to promoting its economic development. In that understanding, we reaffirm our commitment to that brotherly country and call on the international community to continue working to meet the remaining challenges, mainly with respect to the security sector and the rule of law. Such support must be made in consultation and close coordination with the Government of Haiti, in strict respect for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We also commend the positive progress in the aforementioned areas and welcome the appointment of Jean Henry Céant as Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti. We underscore the renewed commitment of the Government to consult with all sectors in order to form a new and inclusive Government, focused on fighting poverty and developing agriculture, energy and infrastructure. To that end, there must be greater alignment of external cooperation with Government priorities, keeping in mind the scope of the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Likewise, it is important to strengthen the State’s capacities to face natural disasters, with respect to which we commend such humanitarian actors as UNICEF, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team for their coordinated assistance in this area. We call on the international community and donors to provide financial support to consolidate the humanitarian response plan. We appreciate the progress made in the struggle against cholera through the new approach of the Secretary-General. The United Nations and its Members have a collective responsibility to ensure its full implementation. In that understanding, we call on the international community to work and to fulfil its commitments, as well as to provide cooperation to the Republic of Haiti in the construction of sound sanitation and health systems. Cholera remains a critical problem that affects not only sanitation and access to water, but also all areas of development and stability in Haiti that remain priorities for Haitians, as highlighted during the Security Council’s visit in June 2017. Regarding the progress towards the benchmarks and their results, we reiterate that these must be worked out in strict compliance with the MINUJUSTH mandate in the areas of rule of law and security, in accordance with resolution 2350 (2017). We commend the work of the Mission regarding its community violence reduction programme, involving women and young people at risk in activities that provide them with the tools and capacities to generate income and encourage the community to engage in dialogue. We encourage the Mission to pursue this work, which has proved to be useful in the reduction of crime, complements the interventions of the Haitian National Police, and promotes community dialogue and confidence in the work of the Haitian police and institutions of the rule of law. We welcome the support provided to governmental institutions in the areas of justice, human rights and security, and we commend the Mission’s work on sexual exploitation and exploitation. We encourage MINUJUSTH to maintain these efforts under the principle of zero tolerance for those responsible for such crimes, who, if found guilty, should be punished accordingly. We reiterate our concern about the issue of children without paternity as a result of sexual abuse perpetrated by MINUSTAH personnel, and we note that the Mission has undertaken a project that aims to cover tuition and lunch for children of victims of those abuses. We emphasize that there can be no development without peace and no peace without development. In that regard, we believe that the international community must pool efforts and increase synergies with the Government, when necessary and within the framework of the MINUJUSTH mandate, to achieve the main objective, which is to sustainably maintain peace, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In conclusion, we welcome the appointment of Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime as Special Representative for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. We wish her success in her functions, and we are confident that she will perform them impartially, within the framework of her mandate. We reiterate our call to the Secretariat to take geographical representation into account when making appointments to the organization’s senior management.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for both her briefing and the handout on benchmarks; it is particularly useful. We talk a lot about benchmarks in the Security Council when it comes to peacekeeping missions, but we do not always analyse performance against those benchmarks as clearly as she has done here. I therefore thank her very much for that. Like other speakers today, we continue to appreciate the support that the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) has offered to the Government of Haiti in its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and further develop the Haitian National Police. We also welcome the progress that the Mission has made as it works towards its two-year exit strategy, and in particular we welcome the joint transition planning with the Government, the United Nations country team and external partners. I endorse all the points that have already been made today by the representatives of France and the Netherlands when it comes to strengthening the police, improving justice and increasing respect for human rights. I would also echo the points made just now by the representative of Bolivia about the importance of tackling sexual violence in Haiti, including sexual exploitation and abuse. But let me just make three additional points. First, it is very clear that the political and security situation in Haiti remains extremely fragile, as evidenced by the recent events in July, and the Secretary-General’s report (S/2018/795) points to an increase in gang-related violence and raises human rights concerns linked to the police. We would therefore encourage the Secretary- General, his Special Representative and MINUJUSTH to closely monitor such risks to security and stability over the coming 12 months, in close cooperation with the Haitian Government, to avoid backsliding into conflict. With regard to the governance or stability pact that the report mentions, we strongly encourage the Haitian Government to advance the sector-based dialogue that the report has addressed to support the identification of priority steps to agree on the pact as an urgent priority. Secondly, regarding the benchmarks and the MINUJUSTH transition, as I said, we welcome the detailed assessment of progress in the report, but we share the concerns that progress against the benchmarks has been uneven. I was particularly struck by the details on the benchmark about the number of police officers per one thousand citizens. When the Security Council visited last June, I remember there was a particular focus on increasing the number of police officers, and at that point there was some optimism that the number would go on increasing. Given the centrality of that particular indicator, it is very concerning that, over a year since the Council’s visit, the performance on that indicator is actually worse. We now have just over 12 months before MINUJUSTH is expected to leave Haiti, which leaves little time to make sure that the transition is a success. As we have said before, Haitian ownership and delivery of those critical reforms is essential if the transition is to be successful. We therefore believe that it is vital that all parties, and especially the Haitian authorities, intensify their efforts to ensure that those benchmarks are met. Thirdly, and finally, we urge the Secretary- General to be realistic and clear about the division of responsibilities across the United Nations system and to support the United Nations to fill the gaps identified in the capacity and capabilities of the United Nations country team, which will be key to a successful transition. On issues such as the development of draft legislation, which will clearly require longer-term support beyond the MINUJUSTH mandate, we wonder if it may be worth considering whether it already makes sense to transition that work to the United Nations country team. We note that the forthcoming United Nations strategic assessment mission, due in February, will be critical to facilitating the timely planning and implementation of the transition, and we look forward to the report of that assessment mission.

China thanks you, Mr. President, for convening today’s meeting. China also thanks Assistant Secretary- General Keita for her briefing. China has taken note of the recent violent events in parts of Haiti, which reflect the existing fragile security situation to a large degree and the need for political stability and economic development to be further consolidated. China hopes that the parties in Haiti will promptly resolve their differences through inclusive political dialogue and consultations. The Haitian Government should continue to increase its efforts to develop the economy, improve people’s livelihoods and fully implement the Haitian National Police strategic plan to create favourable conditions for the thorough improvement of the situation in the country. The international community and countries of the region should also pay more attention to the issue of Haiti and support its consolidation of peace and stability and its efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China appreciates the recent work of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and Deputy Special Representative Diallo. We welcome the appointment by Secretary- General Guterres of Ms. Meagher La Lime as the Special Representative for Haiti and Head of the Mission. We hope that Ms. Meagher La Lime will start to work as soon as possible after taking over to help the Haitian Government strengthen its police force and take up in earnest the responsibility of maintaining national security and stability. China is willing to work with other members of the Security Council to contribute to the early achievement of lasting peace and sustainable development in Haiti.

Let me thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for her very useful and informative briefing on the activities of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). We welcome the appointment of Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime as the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of MINUJUSTH. We wish her and the Mission every success in their efforts to assist the Government of Haiti in strengthening the rule of law, reinforcing the Haitian National Police capacities and engaging in human rights monitoring. We agree that the violent events that took place early July in Port-au-Prince and other Haitian cities reflect the ongoing volatility of the situation in Haiti and the need to ease the daily hardships faced by the Haitian people. Poland strongly encourages all parties to abstain from the use of violence to achieve political goals, to respect the rule of law and to find a consensual solution to the problems the country is facing. It is extremely important to build broad political support to implement key economic reforms, which are basic prerequisites for the long-term stability of Haiti. Poland welcomes the appointment by President Moïse of Mr. Jean Henry Céant as the new Prime Minister. We look forward to the formation of a new Government that will continue to lead Haiti towards the consolidation of peace and stability. It is worth emphasizing that the Government of Haiti has taken steps to reform the criminal code and the code of criminal procedure, fight corruption in the civil service and strengthen the justice sector. The improvement of the capacity of the Haitian National Police is also remarkable. Those efforts may lead to major political stabilization and respect for the principles of the rule of law. We welcome the contribution of MINUJUSTH to improving public security by building the capacities of the Haitian National Police in a wide range of police work and providing equipment and operational support. We are also pleased to note the role of MINUJUSTH in the improvement of the Haitian justice system. When considering the situation in Haiti, it is essential not to forget that the conditions of the precarious political situation and the fragile economy often lead to the creation of an environment in which guarantees of human rights may turn out to be ineffective and where fundamental rights may be exposed to the risk of abuse and violation. As underlined in the recent report of the Secretary- General (S/2018/795), much remains to be done to ensure a smooth and effective transition to a non-peacekeeping presence in Haiti in the coming year. Haitian institutions still need the support of the international community. We should not limit the United Nations presence in Haiti excessively or too early, bearing in mind the fragility of the situation and the vastness of the work to be done by the Haitian authorities. We need to assure Haitian society that the Security Council will work closely to find the best way to build long-term stability and to strengthen the rule of law in the country. Poland welcomes the benchmarked exit strategy and transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence in Haiti. MINUJUSTH is a crucial actor in that process, helping the Government of Haiti to meet those benchmarks by providing technical expertise and financial assistance.

I would like to start by thanking the Secretary-General for his report (S/2018/795) and Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her informative briefing this morning. Let me echo colleagues in their appreciation for the way in which she presented progress made in her charts this morning as well. Sweden commends Haiti for the progress made in its consolidation of democracy and stability. At the same time, the events of the past few months have also shown that the situation remains volatile. There is a strong need for broad-based political support for key reforms. The mandate of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) is well aligned with the priorities set out by President Moïse, including the rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as improving economic development, infrastructure, resilience and security. We hope that the new Government will strive with renewed energy to achieve progress on those priorities, and we hope to see results soon, such as the adoption of a new criminal code and a new code of criminal procedure. The benchmarks presented in the Secretary- General’s report will help those efforts by linking progress made in core areas of the Mission’s mandate with other key aspects for stability in the country. Those include socioeconomic development and fighting corruption. The Mission is one of the first to make a transition from traditional peacekeeping in an era of sustaining peace. A continuously successful transition would therefore be important not only to Haiti, but also to the wider United Nations system in demonstrating its capacity to support countries emerging from internal strife. We welcome the appointment of Helen Meagher La Lime as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti at this key juncture of the transition phase. Securing a smooth and effective transition will be one of the main tasks in the coming months, and we give the Special Representative of the Secretary-General our full support. It is important that the Mission continue to pay close attention to gender aspects in its policies and strategic development. Supporting women’s participation in political processes is particularly important, as are measures to improve women’s security and protection against sexual and gender-based violence. The Mission needs to maintain a strategic focus and clear gender-budgeting. Ensuring that there is adequate information-gathering, monitoring and reporting, and coordination on those matters, is also key. In that regard, let me thank Ms. Bintou Keita for the gender- disaggregated data and the comprehensive gender analysis of the benchmarks that she presented to us in her briefing today. Given the lack of progress in some of those areas, we are worried about the report’s conclusion that the capacities of the Mission and the United Nations country team to work on gender issues are limited. As more and more tasks are given to the country team, the international community must step up to ensure that the team has the resources to take them on. Much has been achieved by the Haitian people in recent years. Now it is important to keep up the momentum for reform. Longer-term stability and sustainable development require the continued commitment of all parties. Sweden will remain a committed partner for Haiti as the country makes further progress towards the consolidation of peace, democracy and the rule of law.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Assistant Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, Ms. Bintou Keita, for her valuable briefing on the situation in Haiti and the role of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). I would also like to thank Ms. Susan D. Page, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUJUSTH, for her efforts in leading the Mission in Haiti. We wish the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. La Lime, all the best in her new tasks. I also welcome the presence and participation of Ms. Leona Marlin-Romeo, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, in this meeting. I would like to focus on three main aspects: the political, security and humanitarian situations. First, with regard to the political situation, we followed the latest address of His Excellency President Moïse in the aftermath of a wave of violent protests in many parts of Haiti after the elimination of all Government subsidies on fuel. The address ushered in a number of political reforms and initiatives that helped to reduce tensions, including accepting the resignation of the national Government and calling for national consultations with all active political parties in Haiti to form a new Government and to combat all forms of corruption. The President also focused on advancing the national economy by adopting a number of reforms related to rationalizing Government spending and promoting public investment without prejudice to the basic needs of Haitians. I would like also to commend the efforts of Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Diallo and his good offices, in cooperation with the diplomatic corps in Haiti, in order to support the rule of law and stability in the country. We also welcome the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Jean Henry Céant, and we hope that he will enjoy the confidence of the Parliament. We look forward to the adoption of necessary measures to implement the required priorities and reforms in all fields. Secondly, with regard to the security situation, given its important impact on all other aspects in Haiti, we welcome the significant improvement and the decrease in documented crime rates. However, we call on the national authorities to take full advantage of the expertise of MINUJUSTH in that respect in order to develop and increase the efficiency of the Haitian National Police and to maintain the progress achieved in security and stability while strengthening State judicial institutions, ending impunity and preventing corruption in accordance with the timeline stipulated in the exit strategy of MINUJUSTH. In that regard, we look forward to the strategic assessment to be submitted next March. Thirdly, pertaining to the humanitarian situation, there is no doubt that despite recent developments, the situation in Haiti remains fragile. There is a need for increased cooperation between the people, the national Government, civil society organizations and the private sector, on the one hand, and the United Nations and donors, on the other, which would help Haiti to successfully survive this critical and very important stage in its modern history. With hard work, there is still time, despite a potentially difficult start, to achieve political stability and sustainable development by adopting short-term plans to meet the needs of the people along with critical mid- and long-term plans. I would like to highlight a number of elements that should be taken into consideration to improve the humanitarian situation in the country, including, first, implementing the United Nations approach to cholera, which has helped to considerably reduce the rate of transmission; secondly, assisting national institutions in building capacity to prepare for the hurricane season; thirdly, accelerating the implementation of reforms in the national judicial system; fourthly, addressing overcrowding in prisons; and fifthly, engaging Haitians in human rights awareness-raising programmes organized by MINUJUSTH. In conclusion, I would like to commend MINUJUSTH on its efforts to build on the gains that have been achieved in Haiti in the past few years and to promote security, stability, and long-term sustainable development by supporting the work of the Government in the area of the rule of law.

We thank Assistant Secretary-General Ms. Bintou Keita for her briefing on the situation in Haiti and on the work of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. We are also grateful for the very useful and enlightening presentation on the achievements of the Mission. We must acknowledge the objectivity of the alarming assessments in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2018/795) that the already fragile security situation has recently been undergoing new trials, notably the mass protests being staged around the country. Regrettably, the political life of the country has been marked by disagreement between the legislative and executive branches, the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Government and setbacks in the work of Parliament, all of which have considerably undermined the prospects for post-conflict peacebuilding in Haiti. We have to note that the humanitarian situation remains dire. More than 1 million people are in urgent need of food assistance but fewer than half of them are actually receiving it. And to that can be added the fact that the humanitarian response plan is only 10 per cent financed. These events in no way help the Mission in preparing to withdraw from the country. We have also seen that the gradual transfer to the Haitian National Police of responsibility for maintaining law and order is in difficulties and is going on at a time when criminal groups are increasingly active. These are all problems that the Government and people of Haiti will have to solve on their own in the near future as they assume their national responsibility. We welcome the efforts of the country’s leadership to ensure stability and develop a system of State governance that relies on their own strengths. It will be crucial to ensure that the work of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of Government are well coordinated. And much remains to be done on the part of United Nations personnel, whose task is to provide maximum assistance in the process. For our part, we support Port-au-Prince and affirm that Russia will continue to ensure that the ultimate outcome of the Security Council’s work will be a genuine normalization of the situation in Haiti, along with stronger sovereignty and self-sufficiency. We would once again like to draw the Council’s attention to a very important point that for reasons that are unclear has been left out of our discussion. Once again, in spite of the fact that a significant portion of the Secretary-General’s report is dedicated to the subject of combating sex crimes and assisting their victims, it contains no information about similar crimes committed by representatives of non-governmental organizations accredited by the United Nations. I would like to remind the Council that we drew attention to the issue in our statements on 3 and 9 April (see S/PV.8220 and S/PV.8225). In the context of the stated United Nations policy of zero tolerance for such terrible crimes, we have no right to ignore flagrant examples.

We thank the Secretary- General for his report (S/2018/795) pursuant to resolution 2410 (2018). We are also grateful to Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her briefing on the most recent developments in Haiti and on the activities of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), based on the report. We note that we meet against the backdrop of the violent events that happened in July and that reflect the serious socioeconomic difficulties that Haiti continues to face. We agree with the Secretary- General about the need to find a consensus solution to some of those challenges within the framework of the existing constitutional dispensation. It is important to ensure that the Government of Haiti continues to make progress towards adopting a governance pact to support the implementation of agreed political, economic and social objectives in order to enhance the confidence of the Haitian people in their institutions. We believe that strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions, ensuring political stability and improving socioeconomic conditions are the key elements needed for Haiti’s greater security, stability and future prosperity. The recent events in Port-au-Prince and other Haitian cities underscore the importance of attaining them. We welcome President Moïse’s appointment of a new Prime Minister and we look forward to the formation of a Government that will continue to lead Haiti towards the consolidation of peace, stability and sustainable economic development. Ethiopia recognizes the important contribution of MINUJUSTH, as well as the wider international community, in support of ongoing efforts to promote dialogue, advocate respect for the rule of law and foster stability in the country through enhanced communication and dialogue at all levels. There is no doubt that much remains to be done to ensure a smooth and effective transition to a non-peacekeeping presence in Haiti in the coming year in accordance with MINUJUSTH’s mandate. We therefore concur with the Secretary-General’s assessment regarding the redoubling of efforts to ensure progress against the benchmarks that will inform the future drawdown of MINUJUSTH. We welcome the appointment of Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime as the new Special Representative and Head of MINUSUSTH. She will have the important responsibility of overseeing progress while working closely with Haitian stakeholders and the United Nations country team. We wish her every success and commend all of the Mission staff for their dedicated efforts in carrying out their mandated tasks. In conclusion, I reaffirm our commitment to and solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of Haiti as they continue striving to consolidate the progress made in recent years, and our confidence in the Haitian people’s determination to persist and succeed in their quest for stability, democracy and prosperity.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her briefing and the very helpful graphics that she circulated today. We warmly welcome Helen La Lime and wish her every success with her new mission. We look forward to continued progress from the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), together with its road map towards the planned drawdown of operations by October 2019. This past July represented a critical test for both the Government of Haiti and MINUJUSTH, with both the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the United Nations formed police units confronting violent protests and riots. During a time of political instability, the Haitian National Police, with the support MINUJUSTH, acted to protect the civilian population and refrained from actions that would have further inflamed the situation. Those efforts prevented a prison break from the national penitentiary, which would have made an extremely volatile situation in downtown Port-au-Prince even more complex. The continued professionalization of the Haitian National Police demonstrates the progress made towards achieving the Mission’s exit strategy benchmarks, and will make possible the on-schedule transition of tasks and responsibilities to the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the United Nations country team. However, it is essential to protect those hard-won gains, and MINUJUSTH has an important role to play before drawing down. First, more progress must be made in the fight against corruption. No one should be above the law, and we call on the Government of Haiti to work with MINUJUSTH and international partners to strengthen its justice-sector institutions, including its anti-corruption bodies, and to promote judicial reforms to combat impunity and strengthen the rule of law. Secondly, it is imperative that corrupt officials or any other individuals implicated in human rights violations be held accountable for their actions. Thirdly, we must also caution against the politicization of the police. The Government of Haiti must prioritize the continued development and professionalization of its National Police and ensure that the institution remains apolitical. Finally, the Government of Haiti and its civil society and international partners must continue to address human rights concerns, such as those involving sexual exploitation and abuse, violence against women and girls, high rates of prolonged pretrial detention and trafficking in persons. While there is much to accomplish, we acknowledge the HNP’s steps to improve its response to public demonstrations and reinforce its inspectorate general to investigate reported police abuses, as well as progress made in advancing human rights activities through the Haitian Government’s Directorate of Civil Protection. The United States looks forward to the scheduled transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence in Haiti by October 2019 and the assumption of those responsibilities by the Government of Haiti. I will now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

I thank you, Sir, for having invited the delegation of the Republic of Haiti to have its views and comments heard before the Security Council with regard to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/795) of 30 August on the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). I welcome the presence of Ms. Leona Marlin-Romeo, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten among us, and am grateful for her statement. I would also like to especially thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for her excellent presentation of the Secretary- General’s report. My delegation notes with the utmost interest the Secretary-General’s observations concerning results, progress, trends and salient facts in the political, economic, social and humanitarian areas during the reporting period in the light of the set goals and established benchmarks. The evolving political situation in Haiti over the past three months, especially with regard to the fears of destabilization caused by the unrest of 6 to 8 July following the announcement of an increase in gas prices, has rightly become a centre of attention. Those events, which reflected an irrefutable expression of public frustration in the face of real socioeconomic difficulties, were certainly a major test for the country. However, the political stability of the country, which had been won through such hard work, was not called into question — nor were the democratic gains or the many achievements of recent years. No one can deny that the country was rigorously put to the test, but the crisis was overcome. The nation recovered quickly. The institutions of the Republic demonstrated their maturity. State authority is today restored, and public order is being maintained. In that regard, my delegation welcomes the support of the international community, and in particular that of the Security Council as expressed in its press statement on Haiti of 12 July (SC/13419). In the wake of the July events, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Jovenel Moïse, fully aware of the challenges of the situation, spared no effort to restore peace to the restive neighbourhoods and peace of mind. Accordingly, following an extensive and painstaking process of national consultations, he appointed a new Prime Minister from among the opposition — Mr. Jean Henry Céant. The latter has been entrusted with forming a national unity Government enjoying the full confidence of Parliament and the legitimacy necessary to confront the urgent economic problems facing the country and pursue the reforms needed for strengthening the rule of law, consolidating democratic gains and achieving long- term institutional and political stability. The next Government will be tasked, inter alia, with organizing the next parliamentary elections, to be held in October 2019, and scaling up the fight against corruption, while vigorously pursuing the structural reforms essential to reviving sustainable growth and development. In that regard, the Secretary-General’s call on all actors in the national political arena to work together for the common good was welcomed with special interest by the Haitian authorities, as was his call for the adoption of short-term measures to meet the immediate needs of the Haitian people and alleviate the difficult situation that they are facing. My delegation hopes that that appeal will also find the broadest possible response from all international community partners, while seeking, in that regard, greater awareness of the extreme vulnerability of the population in the context of official development assistance, in particular opportunities providing essential support for implementing structural adjustment programmes. Extreme poverty, as we well know, carries with it the inherent risk of creating instability, as the Security Council has repeatedly emphasized. A coherent and integrated strategy for sustaining peace is predicated upon an understanding of the close link between the three pillars of security, development and human rights. In that regard, my delegation believes that immediately improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged segments of society is one of the most pressing challenges facing the country today. The Head of State has made it a top priority, as it is an essential and unavoidable condition for maintaining a stable political environment, as the report judiciously notes. With regard to the Secretary-General’s review of results and progress in the light of the objectives and benchmarks that have been set, I would like to make a brief comment. My delegation is aware of the delays in a number of targets, but the most important thing to remember is that, despite the enormous difficulties encountered, despite the July crisis and despite the limited resources available, sustained efforts are recorded daily in most targeted areas, be it in the strengthening of the rule of law, the justice system and the National Police, or in the protection and promotion of human rights. Many indicators bear witness to these efforts and ongoing measures. Let me cite a few on a purely indicative basis: the appointment of the Civil Protector and the strengthening of the capacities of the Office for the Protection of Human Rights; the stability of the security environment; the significant decrease in the level of violent crime; a decrease of about 25 per cent in cases of mob rule; the increased efficiency of the judicial system; the ongoing adoption by the legislature of a new criminal code and a new code of criminal procedure; the improvement of the penitentiary system and conditions of detention; the steady increase in the proportion of women in the police force, where the 10 per cent threshold is about to be reached; the intensification of the fight against corruption, as illustrated by the referral of the PetroCaribe case to the Superior Court of Audits and Administrative Disputes for the necessary follow-up; and the launch of the sector-based estates general of the nation, with the prospect of adopting a pact for stability and economic and social progress. Much certainly remains to be done, as the Secretary- General has pointed out, to bridge the gaps and catch up with the delays, but the consolidation of the rule of law and stability is on track. That is the essential thing. This is, as we all know, a long-term process. Whatever happens, the public authorities intend to make every effort to achieve the hoped-for results and targets, in particular the continued strengthening of the justice system and police forces, the substantial improvement of the penitentiary system, and the promotion and permanent defence of human rights. The Haitian authorities are firmly committed to ensuring that everything will be done to prepare in the coming months for a smooth transition from MINUJUSTH to a United Nations presence that is more focused on peacekeeping. In appointing the new Haitian Prime Minister, the President of the Republic reiterated his determination to implement, together with the Government, the structural reforms necessary to enabling the country to cope with recurrent crises, such as that from which it is emerging, and to meet the complex challenges that it still faces in terms of development. The shock wave unleashed by the events of July — regardless of their magnitude and the public perception of political volatility that they generated — must not obscure one fact that my delegation considers to be essential, namely, the irreversibility of the democratic gains of the Haitian people and their very real and sustained progress towards the consolidation of the rule of law. The President of the Republic and the new Haitian Prime Minister are in agreement with all sectors and actors of the nation that these achievements must be entrenched. At this crucial turning point in national life, the Haitian people and Government hope to be able to count on the solidarity of the international community, and in particular on the support of the United Nations system, for the establishment of a new cooperation pact that is better adapted to the real needs of Haiti, within the framework of a genuine strategy for the perpetuation of peace, which, in order to be viable, necessarily entails the speedy improvement of the living conditions of the poorest strata, vigorous and sustained growth, the economic and social modernization of the country, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including the Goal of eradicating poverty by 2030. In conclusion, I offer my warmest congratulations to the new Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Haiti, Ms. Helen Meagher La Lime, who was appointed on 1 August. I convey my best wishes for success to her and her mandate in Haiti.