S/PV.8502 Security Council

Before we adopt the agenda, let me make a few remarks in my national capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of April. Let me start by picking up where we left off on Friday when a colleague from the Dominican Republic said that I should take the French presidency as an example when leading the Council in April (see S/PV.8498). I will do that, but I would first like to thank both Mr. François Delattre and Mrs. Anne Gueguen, as well as their team, for the wonderful cooperation that we had during the first leg of the German-French twin presidencies for the months of March and April. I hope Council members have seen that these are substantially innovative bilateral presidencies. We very much appreciate that France, during the first presidency, actually did share a lot of things with Germany, and not just in a pro forma way. In particular, France shared its presidency when we went on the trip together to Africa, so our trip to Burkina Faso and Mali was really a trip with three presidencies. I think that was a good sign of cooperation among the five permanent members and the elected 10. I thank the French delegation very much for that. The presidency of the Security Council is something very special for Germany because the Security Council is at the core of multilateralism and of the United Nations, which is at the top of the international rules- based order. We started the month with the issue of humanitarian law, which is very important to us. We met with regard to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons yesterday (see S/PV.8500), again together with our French friends. I am very happy that, under the agenda that we are about to adopt today, we will have as a briefer the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for her first-ever meeting with the Security Council in that capacity. Human rights are very important for us. We want this to work. We will do everything possible to ensure that the next weeks of the Security Council are successful. We want to have an enlightened Security Council. I am very grateful to the Secretariat that our intervention to have the curtains opened was successful and we now have natural light in the Council. But we have another innovation in the Chamber, which we announced through the Political Coordinator, namely, this hourglass here. It was hand made in Thuringia. It takes about five and a half minutes, after it is turned, for the sand to drop down. That is a bit longer than the recommendation for interventions in presidential note S/2017/507, which is for five minutes, but we thought we would give an extra 30 seconds. However, let me say that — and I am looking a bit by chance at our friend Jerry Matjila — there is an inalienable right to speak, so nobody wants to cut you short, Jerry, or anybody else. We will follow the proposal of our South African friend and put forward a draft resolution about that. As the President of the Security Council this month, I would suggest that I thank the briefers and United Nations officials for their interventions so that participants do not need to repeat words of thanks. However, of course, all members are free to do it individually. We would like meetings to really be interactive, so participants should not hesitate to ask questions. Also, please use the two-finger rule if you have a question that you want to put to a speaker and, at the end, I will ask all the briefers if they are ready to respond to questions. Let us see how it works. We are not doing this to annoy members, but because we believe in the Security Council. We believe that this is a very important body and that, at a time when there are many difficult issues on the international agenda, we have to meet the expectations of our citizens and make it work. I thank everyone very much for giving me the chance to say a few words at the beginning of the routine agenda. Adoption of the agenda

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Argentina, Canada and Haiti to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Jean- Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Ms. Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Ms. Loune Viaud, Executive Director of Zanmi Lasante. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. João Pedro Vale de Almeida, 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/2019/198, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. I now give the floor to Mr. Lacroix.

I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on recent developments in the situation in Haiti and on the implementation of resolution 2410 (2018), in the context of the Council’s discussions on the recently issued report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/198). I am pleased to be accompanied today by His Excellency Mr. Bocchit Edmond, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ms. Loune Viaud, who is beside me. (spoke in English) Since the briefing by Special Representative La Lime in February and the publication of the Secretary- General’s report on the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) on 1 March, developments in Haiti continue to combine progress in some areas and volatility or stagnation in others. While efforts to improve the security situation yield mitigated results, political uncertainty has continued with the fall of the Government. No violent demonstrations have taken place since the 10 days of unrest in February, which regrettably led to 41 deaths and 100 injuries, according to the most recent estimates, and limitations to the enjoyment of human rights. The repeated mobilization calls by opposition and activist groups to the population, demanding the resignation of the President, gained little traction. Nevertheless, rival gang clashes, potentially mirroring conflicting interests linked to criminality, continued to disrupt life in the southern neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince and to produce isolated incidents in the North and Artibonite regions. In that context, we strongly condemn the attack on 27 March by heavily armed individuals against the Chilean Ambassador’s convoy, which was visiting a project of a Chilean non-governmental organization in Croix de Bouquets, leaving one person dead and three individuals injured. The Haitian National Police (HNP) continued to demonstrate its capacity to handle security threats in the country, including through the planning and execution of anti-gang operations, with limited support from MINUJUSTH. Furthermore, the reactivation by President Moïse of the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration on 12 March is an important step towards the assumption of national ownership in violence reduction efforts. Through its community violence reduction expertise, MINUJUSTH is identifying areas of support for the implementation of the Commission’s mandate. On the political front, on 18 March, in a tumultuous sequence of events, Prime Minister Céant’s Government was subjected to a motion of no confidence by Parliament’s Lower Chamber of Deputies, with 93 votes in favour, 6 against and 3 abstentions, after an earlier interpellation session at the Senate failed to reach a quorum. President Moïse has initiated consultations for the selection of his third Government since he took office in February 2017 and has appointed Minister of Culture Jean Michel Lapin as an interim Prime Minister of the caretaker Government. On the socioeconomic front, an agreement reached on 8 March among the International Monetary Fund, the Haitian Government and the Central Bank of Haiti has initially created a sense of optimism able to boost the fledging economy, which is characterized by high inflation, at 17 per cent, and a depreciating national currency. The concessional zero per-cent, three-year loan of $229 million was designed to provide support to the most vulnerable sectors of the population, while promoting governance reform and anti-corruption measures. However, it is no longer going forward, pending the appointment of a new Cabinet. The same is true for the submission of the draft 2018-19 State budget to Parliament and an electoral law for the October elections. The establishment by President Moïse on 25 February of a facilitation committee for an intra-Haitian dialogue has the potential to revitalize the national cohesion process. The five-member committee, including four women, has started consultations with a broad range of stakeholders and is developing the dialogue methodology. Its report on the way forward is to be submitted by the end of its 90-day mandate. While MINUJUSTH supports the work of the committee, including with expertise advising on technical and procedural aspects, the process of national dialogue is a complex one, especially in a context of lingering mistrust and polarization. In that respect, stronger efforts are required from all key actors to ensure the success of the committee’s work and the crafting of a national vision able to bring about the economic reform essential to a healthy economy and to attracting direct investment, as well as measures for social protection, improving the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and, more urgently, the organization of the October elections in a timely manner and in accordance with international standards. (spoke in French) The end of peacekeeping in Haiti is within reach. In that context, in order to create the conditions for a successful transition, MINUJUSTH will continue to implement its mandate to continue and anchor progress in the implementation of the benchmarks. While developments in the situation in Haiti since last July have underlined the country’s political fluidity and economic fragility, we cannot lose sight of the progress made over the years and, more recently, in strengthening the country’s institutions, with the Haitian National Police at the forefront. Looking at the matrix in annex I of the report before the Council, members can see that the Haitian National Police’s five-year strategic development plan for 2017-2021 is on track. The ratio of police officers per 1,000 inhabitants is 1.32, close to the target of 1.45, and the percentage of HNP personnel present in the regions has exceeded 35 per cent. We support the Haitian leaders’ wish to end peacekeeping in Haiti and the mandate of MINUJUSTH in October of this year, as well as their desire for the Haitian authorities to take full responsibility for the country’s security and the responsibility that it entails. We are confident of the Haitian National Police’s ability to manage risks to the security without international operational support. For its part, the United Nations will continue to provide strategic advice to the HNP on its institutional development and on strengthening its logistical capacities, including through bilateral assistance. At the same time, the Secretary-General’s recommendation to continue to support Haiti with good offices, human rights and advisory capacities is based on our assessment of the most pressing United Nations assistance needs. We believe that the recommended small strategic advisory office, whose functions are described in the Secretary-General’s report, is the ideal configuration to address such needs in Haiti at this time. Recent developments have only served to affirm that assessment. They have also again highlighted the importance of making parallel progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through the activities of the United Nations country team in order to address the socioeconomic causes of instability in Haiti. If the Secretary-General’s recommendations are adopted, MINUJUSTH’s work over the next six months will be devoted to supporting the priorities of the Haitian leadership and people, as I mentioned earlier, as well as any other urgent priorities that meet the benchmarks. At the same time, we would therefore phase out some activities, withdraw the operational presence of the United Nations police and prepare for a smooth transition to a post-peacekeeping presence. It will be a period of intense work, in which the sustained attention and political support of the Council to the Haitian people, the Mission and the preparations for the transition will help to maximize the impact of our collective efforts and ensure their continued success. I would like to call on the members of the Council, as well as the countries of the region, to increase their engagement with Haiti during this critical period. Options for such engagement include bilateral support to the country’s development priorities, as outlined in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for 2017-2021, in particular to strengthen national capacities for stability and the rule of law. Support similar to the humanitarian priorities reflected in the 2019 humanitarian response plan, in particular food security, disaster management and the interruption of cholera transmission, which now seems achievable, will strengthen the resilience and preparedness of the Haitian people, thereby achieving continued progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. In that context, I welcome the recent request of the Government of Haiti to the Secretary-General to access the Peacebuilding Fund. Discussions are ongoing on targeting sectors that can be catalysts for further strengthening stability in the country. The United Nations partnership with Haiti is expected to develop in the near future, in line with our discussions with Haitian leaders and other key stakeholders. However, that partnership will remain strong and rooted in our ongoing commitment to democratic progress, security and prosperity for the Haitian people.

I thank Mr. Lacroix for his briefing. (spoke in English) I now give the floor to Ms. Bachelet. Ms. Bachelet: I thank you, Mr. President, for inviting me to update the Security Council on the human rights situation in Haiti. It is an opportunity to mark the progress made on human rights to date and to also highlight how the Council can continue supporting Haiti’s commitments to human rights and prevention. Haiti today is a very different country from what it was in 2004, when United Nations peacekeeping troops were deployed. Yet while the scale of human rights violations recorded then does not compare with the current situation, serious structural challenges persist. Social grievances, corruption and weak institutions constitute major obstacles to the realization of human rights in Haiti. With about 59 per cent of the population estimated to live below the poverty line, the country remains the poorest in the Americas and faces considerable economic and social difficulties, including limited employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. Basic services such as health care, water, electricity and education are out of the reach of many. This is exacerbated by Haiti’s vulnerability to natural disasters, with every earthquake and hurricane further impeding development and intensifying the already precarious living conditions of many. Poverty creates a fertile environment for criminal activity to thrive, especially in the most underprivileged areas of the capital, where heavily armed gangs take advantage of the limited presence of the State. Competition between rival gangs has resulted in deaths, sexual violence against women and girls, and the destruction and looting of houses. As tensions persist, the protection of the population must be addressed urgently, including by law-enforcement entities. These long-standing issues have contributed to triggering increasingly violent unrest across Haiti since last July. Since July 2018 at least 60 people have been killed, including members of the Haitian National Police, and many more injured. From 7 to 15 February, the longest and most violent protest in years almost entirely paralysed the country. Hospitals and conditions in prisons were affected by the unrest, with food, water and medicine less accessible. While verification during and after the protests showed that some members of the Haitian National Police were the perpetrators of human rights violations, overall the police demonstrated a greater adherence to human rights norms compared with previous protests. The Haitian authorities responded by announcing measures to curb high prices, raise wages, attack corruption and act on the PetroCaribe case. We support and commend these important efforts. In addition, ensuring accountability for violence while fostering a constructive and inclusive dialogue among the various actors of Haitian society will also be essential to stability and sustainable development. Despite significant improvements in the professionalism of the Haitian National Police, incidents of serious human rights violations, including cases of summary executions, continue to be reported, with limited accountability. The National Police conducts administrative investigations into the majority of allegations; yet judicial proceedings are rarely initiated against the alleged perpetrators. In 2018, only 12 per cent of cases of confirmed human rights violations were prosecuted, and no judicial measures were taken in the most emblematic cases. Perpetrators are consequently emboldened, and silenced victims may develop grievances. The weakness of the judicial system also has a negative impact on the penitentiary system. More than 75 per cent of inmates are estimated to be in pre-trial detention — on average for 1,100 days — well over the limit set by national law. Prolonged pre-trial detention contributes to extreme overcrowding and practices amounting to degrading and inhumane treatment. Prisons lack basic sanitary conditions, and few detainees have access to legal counsel. Accountability should be considered as an effective measure to build trust in institutions. Strengthening the bedrock of the rule of law is a means to prevent further human rights violations and enable the advent of a sustainable peace. The delegate Minister for Human Rights and the Fight against Extreme Poverty — appointed in September 2018 — will contribute to re-energizing the Government’s engagement on human rights and to restarting key actions that had been pending since 2014. I encourage the Haitian authorities to seize the opportunity of this important appointment to ensure that the needed leadership is provided to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights. The Committee has recently made strides towards the development of a national action plan on human rights. I encourage authorities to bring this to fruition so as to offer a comprehensive and realistic road map to strengthening human rights in Haiti. Haiti’s national human rights institution — the Office of the National Human Rights Ombudsperson — has been acknowledged since 2013 as independent and functional, reflecting the highest status of compliance with the Paris Principles endorsed by the General Assembly. I welcome the significant increase in the Ombudsperson’s budget, recently announced by the executive, and the efforts of the Ombudsperson to consolidate the Office’s presence across Haiti. I am encouraged by the engagement of civil society for the promotion and protection of human rights and in accompanying victims of human rights violations. Yet it has not been able to fully assume a monitoring and advocacy role. Some civil-society organizations continue to be targeted by acts of intimidation. I encourage all stakeholders to work together to strengthen the human rights protection system. Haiti’s return to constitutional order following the presidential, legislative and local elections in 2017 was a significant achievement. Today, as Haiti stands at the crossroads between peacekeeping and development, we must recognize the progress accomplished. We must also continue building on it, or risk losing it. I encourage the Council to provide the people of Haiti with the support necessary to strengthen institutions, fight against impunity and promote and protect human rights as a foundation for stability and development. My Office intends to pursue its work in Haiti through a possible follow-on United Nations mission and, eventually — something on which we are working jointly with the Government — a stand-alone presence, with the support of the Security Council and Member States. We want to remain engaged and to support Haiti’s commitment to achieving democratic and economic development so that the rights of all people in Haiti are upheld.

I thank Ms. Bachelet for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Viaud. Ms. Viaud: First, I would like to thank the Council for the invitation to provide an update on the situation in Haiti. Haiti is not only the country I was born in, but also the country I have dedicated my life to serving. My name is Loune Viaud, and I am the Executive Director of Zanmi Lasante, one of Haiti’s largest non-governmental health-care providers and sister organization to Partners in Health, based in Boston. Partners in Health is a social justice organization providing access to education and health care to communities across four continents. I am honoured to have the opportunity to brief the Security Council today on the situation of women and girls in Haiti. I would like to thank MADRE and the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security for their efforts to ensure that the voices of women in civil society are heard. Over the past 30 years, Haiti has been through significant challenges, including the devastating 2010 earthquake and cholera outbreak, from which we continue to recover. We have also seen a number of positive changes in my country: roads exist where they never did before, access to health services has increased, and we are seeing better partnerships between local organizations and their foreign counterparts on health and education. Yet much more remains to be completed. The United Nations promised to right Haiti’s wrongs in 2014, four years after the cholera outbreak began, and we hold it to this promise. My briefing today will focus on three specific areas: addressing inequality, sexual and gender-based violence and women’s political participation. Addressing the root causes of conflict has been increasingly highlighted by this body and the broader United Nations system as an important priority. Years after the United Nations first deployed a peace operation in Haiti, my country serves as an example of how failure to do so can contribute to instability. Today women in Haiti face barriers to achieving basic access to services, education and health care. For example, Haiti has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world: 359 women die for every 100,000 live births in Haiti. Watching a woman die because she reached us too late, or seeing families devastated after losing a mother, a wife or a daughter in childbirth, are images one cannot forget. They haunt me, and they should haunt all of us. Childbirth should not be a death sentence in Haiti. Cancer is another issue that primarily affects women in Haiti; 75 per cent of our patients are women. In partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Health, Zanmi Lasante has provided free cancer care to patients across the country for almost 20 years. Today I am friends with Roselene Jean, our first cancer patient. Without the care we provided, she would no longer be with us. No woman should die in Haiti because of a lack of access to obstetric care or cancer. The lack of access to women’s health care poses one of the greatest challenges to development in Haiti. Reinforcing the relationship between sustainable development and peace and security should therefore be central to the way the Council addresses the situation in Haiti and is fundamental to placing my country on the path to peace and stability. The difficult work to end sexual and gender-based violence in Haiti remains a silent fight. It is a topic no one wants to discuss, yet it can change a young woman’s life forever. More than 40 per cent of all sexual assault victims in Haiti are under the age of 25, with many whom we serve being below the age of 15. I speak on behalf of all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence when I say that impunity for violence against women and girls in Haiti must end. We need not only a comprehensive law on gender- based violence, we must also educate Haitians to respect women and girls and shift the harmful social norms that cause the violence in the first place. The Security Council and the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) should work with the Haitian Government to advance the adoption of the draft penal code and ensure that the definition of sexual assault under the code is based on consent. That would bring the penal code further in line with international legal standards and ensure access to justice for survivors. As service providers, we know the critical importance of medical care for survivors. We also know that throughout the country such services are insufficient. Survivors of gender-based violence need timely and comprehensive care to address the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, as well as unwanted pregnancies. That means psychosocial support, medical intervention and fair and safe access to the justice system. Haiti is a small country full of larger-than-life women. Those women have helped their communities and families flourish despite the most dire and tragic of conditions. Those communities and families sacrifice everything for their children’s education and survival. Yet girls have limited role models or advocates in Haiti’s halls of power. For a better future for our mothers, sisters, cousins and daughters, we must support women’s participation in public and political life at all levels and advocate for better laws, affordable health care, education and justice. The women of Haiti have so much to offer their country and the world. However, we need the Council’s help to make that happen. The Council should call on MINUJUSTH to build the capacity of local organizations to provide the Government with high-quality gender-sensitive services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Such work must continue through the upcoming transitional period and United Nations mission reconfiguration. The Council should ensure sustainable and continued funding and mission support in addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of women and girls, including sexual and reproductive health services for gender-based violence survivors, and services in the wake of natural disasters. The Council should also call on Haiti to take the important step of creating greater legal protections for women and girls. That should include supporting the adoption of a comprehensive law on gender-based violence and sections of the 2017 criminal code reform proposal that seek to fill some of the protection gaps for survivors of sexual and gender- based violence. In any transition or drawdown, the Council should ensure that any positive gains made on gender equality are preserved and properly resourced. In its consideration of the forthcoming report on MINUJUSTH and in any briefings, senior United Nations officials should include information on efforts to ensure women’s full and meaningful participation in all aspects of parliamentary elections, including as candidates and voters and as part of formal electoral mechanisms. Women and girls in Haiti want to stay hopeful. As author Rebecca Solnit said, “Hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency”. The emergency is now.

I thank Ms. Viaud for her briefing, which impressed us. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements. We will now inaugurate our hourglass.

I am glad to be the first to be subjected to the hourglass test. We would like to thank Foreign Minister Edmond for joining us in the Security Council today. The United States welcomes this opportunity to address human rights, not only in Haiti but in the broader context of peacekeeping operations. Promoting respect for human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a central goal of our foreign policy. The protection of human rights helps secure peace, deter aggression, promote the rule of law, combat crime and corruption, strengthen democracies and prevent humanitarian crises. Human rights are inextricably linked to both the mission of the Security Council and to United Nations peacekeeping operations. We rely on the information gathered by the human rights teams of various peacekeeping operations and honour the courage of peacekeepers on display as they carry out their task. The United States has just released its annual country reports on human rights for 2018. When we document human rights issues, we shine a spotlight on the plight of victims and show our commitment to exposing perpetrators. Through ongoing monitoring and exposure of human rights challenges, we use our influence and power to help promote human rights and fundamental freedoms and effect change by Governments and societies. We have seen positive change in Haiti. The Haitian National Police (HNP) has taken steps to impose systematic discipline on officers found to have committed abuses or fraud. As we have stated on several occasions, the HNP can further enhance its effectiveness by increasing accountability and transparency. As we note in our human rights report, there have been improvements in the still very problematic prison and detention conditions. We also not the progress made in filling positions in Haiti’s judiciary. The United States welcomes Haiti’s progress in promoting respect for human rights. We commit to continuing to work with the Government of Haiti to further address the country’s significant challenges, which include isolated allegations of unlawful killings by police, the excessive use of force by police, arbitrary detention, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, a judiciary subject to corruption and outside influence, physical attacks on journalists, widespread corruption and impunity and human trafficking, including forced labour. The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) has a central role in promoting human rights. Its task to strengthen national human rights institutions is essential to promoting the rule of law, democratic institution-building and security in Haiti. It contributes to ensuring accountability as well as respect for human rights, including of women and children. Last month, the Secretary-General provided an assessment (S/2019/198) of where the United Nations and Haiti stand with achieving the goals and benchmarks of MINUJUSTH. The dashboard is always a very helpful tool in seeing that. We agree with his assessment that Haiti is on a positive trajectory, with improvements in the professionalism and efficiency of rule-of-law and security institutions, as well as in the protection of human rights. We also agree that the HNP has been increasingly self-sufficient in providing security across the country. That brings me to the upcoming transition, as we prepare for the final renewal of the MINUJUSTH mandate. We look forward to continued updates from the Secretariat regarding the Secretary-General’s recommended follow-on special political mission, so that the Council can establish the special political mission in a timely manner and ensure a smooth transition. The mission should include a human rights pillar that can further advance progress achieved by MINUJUSTH on human rights benchmarks. In the interim, we expect the Government of Haiti, together with MINUJUSTH, to keep working to achieve the benchmarks until the drawdown of the Mission and beyond. We expect a renewal of the MINUJUSTH mandate for six months, until 15 October. This timetable is consistent with the two-year exit strategy and the assessment of the Secretary-General. As his 1 March report states, unless there are mounting challenges to the Government’s capacity to respond to the crisis, the HNP will be able to fully assume responsibility for the security and protection of Haiti by 15 October. The United States shares this assessment and notes that it reflects the will of the Government of Haiti to conclude the peacekeeping operation by that time. We do not believe that the Council should link MINUJUSTH’s scheduled transition to legislative and local elections in Haiti, scheduled for October. Rather, the United States encourages the Government of Haiti in support of its election planning. In this broader context, we encourage the President and elected representatives of Haiti to work together in accordance with Haiti’s Constitution to form a new Government to serve the Haitian people as soon as possible. We continue to support a constructive and inclusive dialogue among Government leaders from across the Haitian political spectrum, civil society, faith-based organizations and the private sector to find lasting solutions to the current political and economic crisis. We are convinced that genuine dialogue and compromise leading to a transparent and accountable Government can best serve the needs and the aspirations of the Haitian people.

I will follow your instructions, Sir, and refrain from thanking the briefers. I would nevertheless like to welcome the presence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti among us. I will focus on three points: first, the country’s political situation; secondly, current human rights challenges; and, thirdly, the importance of continuity and the gradual transition from the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) to the new mission. First, concerning the political situation, although Haiti has experienced weeks marked by tensions, it is crucial that those tensions do not jeopardize the progress made in recent years. The violent demonstrations that took place remind us of the need to pursue institutional reforms. Political instability can be resolved only through an inclusive internal dialogue to address socioeconomic challenges. Democratic governance involves constructive dialogue with the opposition and civil society, including on the sensitive issue of PetroCaribe funds and combating corruption. Moreover, the renewal of legislative power is a key step towards the consolidation of democracy. Belgium reiterates the importance of rapidly adopting the electoral law and updating the electoral lists to pave the way for the holding of credible, inclusive and timely elections. Secondly, with regard to human rights, we welcome the appointment of a delegate minister for human rights and the fight against poverty. Belgium also welcomes the prompt reaction of the Haitian authorities following reports of human rights violations committed by the Haitian National Police. In addition, we are pleased to note the publication of the first public report of the Office of the National Human Rights Ombudsperson. We call on the authorities to further strengthen the capacity of the General Inspectorate of the national police and to implement its plan in response to the recommendations of the Human Rights Council. Thirdly, Belgium underlines the importance of continuity and a smooth transition during the withdrawal phase of MINUJUSTH. We welcome the Secretary-General’s recommendations concerning the future United Nations presence in Haiti and support the choice of a special political mission. We believe that a mandate under Chapter VI is appropriate, and we note that such an option was favoured by the Haitian authorities in their meetings with the strategic assessment mission. It is important that high-level strategic political and consultative capacities be available on the ground to support the Haitian authorities. We advocate for the inclusion of the following components within the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General: good offices, police development, justice reform, reduction of community violence, penitentiary administration and the protection and the promotion of basic rights, including women’s rights. We believe that it is important not to dissociate the various elements of the criminal system by keeping the elements of support for the police and the justice and penitentiary systems together. A holistic approach will be needed within the mission. Belgium is convinced of the need for a robust human rights component in the future mission. Important emphasis should be placed on encouraging women’s participation, with regard to which I am merely echoing what Ms. Loune Viaud said earlier. The future mandate should also include mechanisms for regularly evaluating the goals and results achieved, including through specific indicators. Lastly, we often talk about the transition, but it is mainly to the national authorities that a series of functions will be transferred. Responsibility lies first and foremost with the Haitian Government, in particular through the adoption and implementation of legislation aimed at consolidating the rule of law. In conclusion, I express my gratitude for the important work of MINUJUSTH.

I thank the representative of Belgium for having followed our proposal to discuss only the relevant points to be covered in representatives’ statements.

You have not been very democratic today, Mr. President, as you have subjected us to this barbaric tool, but we will make do. We note with interest that the mandate of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) will end on 15 October, as envisaged by the Security Council. The encouraging gains made by the Mission in several areas must not obscure the many challenges facing the transition to a new United Nations presence in Haiti. In that regard, my delegation would like to comment on three major issues relating to human rights, the fragility of the current sociopolitical situation and the activities planned for the new United Nations mission in the wake of the withdrawal of MINUJUSTH. With regard to human rights, Côte d’Ivoire welcomes the efforts of the Haitian authorities aimed at their promotion, which is a key component of the MINUJUSTH mandate and a necessary condition for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. My country welcomes the development of a national action plan on human rights, pursuant to the April 2017 recommendations of the Human Rights Council, and the launch of the new action plan to address prolonged pretrial detention, as well as the adoption of the draft criminal code and the draft code of criminal procedure to fill structural gaps. My delegation remains concerned, however, about the conditions of detention in prisons and the persistence of activities by armed gangs. In that regard, we urge the Haitian authorities to redouble their efforts to address the persistent problems associated with prison overcrowding. In addition, Côte d’Ivoire appreciates the efforts of the Haitian Government to implement the national plan for gender equality and the national plan for the elimination of violence against women, which are part of the policy to promote gender equality and empower women. My country believes that actions taken to promote human rights should also consider the improvement of the existing humanitarian system in place and the allocation of adequate resources to the humanitarian aid programme in Haiti. With regard to the fragility of the sociopolitical situation in Haiti, my country regrets that the recurrence of social disputes is jeopardizing the long- sought sociopolitical stability. It would therefore seem necessary to take urgent multisectoral measures to restore and strengthen public trust in public institutions and to attract national and foreign investment. To that end, Côte d’Ivoire encourages the Government to intensify dialogue with all Haitian actors, including civil society, so as to forge a common vision on the priorities concerning peacebuilding and the responses needed to meet the immediate needs of the population. In addition, my delegation welcomes the commitment of the Government of Haiti to the holding of the 2019 elections on the agreed dates. It therefore calls for a consensual reform of the electoral process that would guarantee the holding of transparent, credible and inclusive elections. With regard to the new United Nations mission, following the withdrawal of MINUJUSTH, my country supports the Secretary-General’s recommendations and encourages Haitian stakeholders to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations so as to identify together the priorities of the special political mission, which will be called on to consolidate democratic gains and contribute to socioeconomic development. In conclusion, Côte d’Ivoire calls on the entire international community to support the Haitian people and Government in their efforts to create the necessary conditions for the restoration of lasting peace and stability in Haiti.

I will speak very slowly until the sand runs out. (spoke in English) I am very disciplined.

My delegation appreciates the convening of this meeting and the important briefings delivered by our guest speakers: Under-Secretary- General Lacroix, High Commissioner Bachelet and Executive Director Viaud, whose heartfelt words touched everyone here. I would also like to welcome the presence of His Excellency Haitian Minister for Foreign Affairs Bocchit Edmond. The Dominican Republic and Haiti are two nations that are irrevocably tethered by geography and history. Our past is as connected to our neighbour’s as our future undoubtedly is, and that requires a common commitment to the well-being of our peoples. That is why, at the bilateral level, our solidarity with Haiti is ongoing, as is our desire for the relations between our two countries to make progress in all areas. At the multilateral level, we are pleased to note that all those present also recognize the importance of ensuring that Haiti receive all possible support in order to fully develop its capacities and improve the living conditions of its citizens. We therefore support all the initiatives that have so far been implemented by the United Nations for the stabilization and reconstruction of Haiti. The transition from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) in October 2017 marked a milestone by moving from a stabilization operation to a justice support Mission. In doing so, the progress made was recognized, which led to elections that the international community recognized as valid, both for their transparency and smooth running. The emphasis is now on supporting and reinforcing areas such as the training of the Haitian National Police and the judicial institutions. Since then and according to the report of the Secretary General (S/2019/198), we have seen clear progress made in the strengthening of those areas, with greater capacity for the independent action of the Haitian National Police, the uptick in the number of officers and its increased access to training programmes. We are also optimistic about the successes of MINUJUSTH’s community violence-reduction programme, as well as the drafting of a new law to combat gender-based violence, among other actions. That programme will be of particular benefit to young people, given that they have support in cases of risk and access to psychological assistance, vocational training and leadership opportunities. Young Haitians need to be able to count on having opportunities to develop their skills and receive and acquire knowledge, as they are the driving engine of the sustainable development of their people. We recently made available to the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions our experience in the area of social inclusion with a view to spurring the implementation of similar projects in Haiti. We are steadfast in sharing the Secretary-General’s desire to move towards a new stage in the relations between the United Nations and Haiti. However, we also believe that it is important to not rush, so as to not jeopardize the gains already achieved. We believe that only once the achievements made in Haiti have proved to be sound and sustainable can new forms of relations be explored. Despite the hopeful progress already mentioned, the report notes that only 49 per cent of the benchmarks will be met or will remain on a positive trend. The others show a static or negative trend. The report therefore points to several areas where significant structural weaknesses persist. In spite of the increasing professionalization of the police, it still lacks the tools to ensure consistent performance, with adherence to human rights and a proportional use of force. Its investigative capacity is low, as well as the rate of cases that is referred to the courts. According to the report, a significant portion of the recent protests surpassed the Haitian National Police’s capacity to respond, in addition to the conditions not being in place to secure the budgetary allocation necessary to just maintain the pace of progress to date. At the same time, we also see that the report concludes that progress in judicial matters has been very limited. While the number of officers, prisons and their staff has increased, the rate of pre-trial detention, which exceed two years, as well as the rate of deaths in custody have increased. We also have not seen the legislative advances needed to remove the obstacles to access to justice that afflict citizens and to give due attention to cases involving minors. The Special Envoy concludes that the conditions are not yet in place to ensure political stability. In fact, she believes that the risk presented by violent armed groups has increased, and that there is a very high level of mistrust within the population regarding the effectiveness of the judiciary. Haiti also lacks system to respond to threats, such as natural disasters, environmental degradation, cholera transmission and food insecurity. In the meantime, the report notes that, by its publication, only 13 per cent of the funds pledged for the humanitarian response plan had been mobilized, which would benefit 2.2 million people — only 13 per cent. From an economic point of view, the situation has been seriously affected by a fiscal shortfall, inflation and the devaluation of the Haitian gourde, with the well-known impacts on governance. In addition, both tariff and non-tariff barriers are causing artificially high prices and stimulating the illegal trade in goods. For all those points, in our opinion, there is reason enough to prompt a rethinking of the time frame for implementing the road map proposed in the Secretary- General’s report. The situation facing the interim Government, which was formed after the recent resignation of the Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Henry Céant, has highlighted the fragility of the strides made to date on the way towards entrenching democratic institutions. The truth is that Haiti is in danger of getting caught in a vicious cycle. To break it, the key is no other than resolving the political instability in the country. Understanding that will make it easier for us to have a clearer idea of the next steps to take. It is absolutely crucial that the legislative elections scheduled for October of this year take place in a climate of peace, calm and transparency, in accordance with Haitian law. The ability of the Haitian Government to lead this process is key to the legitimacy of the democratic system and, therefore, to the current and future stability of the country. In that connection, we must ensure the full participation of women in this process as candidates, as voters and as part of formal electoral mechanisms to ensure equitable representation. The prudent thing to therefore do at this time is to leave all doors open with respect to the ways that the United Nations can help. The Council could assess whether the conditions are right for postponing the start of the dissolution of MINUJUSTH. In addition, we call for the continued preparation of a political mission to make substantive contributions to the creation of solid and modern institutions. We believe that such a mission should be ambitious in scope and support the exploration of all available mechanisms, including an exhaustive study of how to include Haiti on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission and ensure its access to the Peacebuilding Fund. The Haitian people and the Government have shown that they are willing to do the work to fix their situation. As such, they deserve the unconditional support of the Security Council. If we succeed in consolidating political stability in Haiti, it will become the cornerstone upon which to bolster the economic, social and human rights progress that the Haitian people deserve and demand.

We are grateful for the convening of this meeting and thank the panellists for their informative briefings. We also welcome the participation of the Haitian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bocchit Edmond. Peru is closely monitoring the situation in Haiti and supports the important role played by the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), in line with the goals and indicators proposed by the Secretary-General for the Mission’s sustainable exit. Recognizing the significant progress that Haiti has made in recent years with the support of the United Nations, we remain concerned about the political volatility, institutional fragility and economic stagnation that have exacerbated social tensions and adversely affected the humanitarian situation in the country. In that regard, we welcome President Moïse’s initiatives to promote national dialogue, as well as the governance pact. Moreover, the fight against corruption and impunity must go hand in hand with those efforts with a view to strengthening the rule of law and the people’s confidence in their institutions. In that regard, it would be useful to have additional information regarding the Government’s announcement to create an independent commission to monitor the investigations of the PetroCaribe case. We endorse United Nations support for the Government of Haiti with regard to the legislative elections scheduled for October, and we stress the need for Congress to expeditiously approve the law on the permanent electoral council. We also commend the strengthening of the operational capacities of the Haitian National Police. It is crucial to continue to make progress in the implementation of the strategic development plan in order to strengthen respect for human rights, oversight capacities and accountability mechanisms. We also believe that it is essential to revitalize the mechanisms for reducing communal violence, along with programmes for the regulation of arms and ammunition. That approach should replace disarmament, demobilization and reintegration policies, which are no longer suited to the context in Haiti. We stress the need to finalize the national action plan on human rights, specifically to promote women’s rights, as well as to ensure the timely approval of the necessary pending legislative pieces to strengthen access to justice, which include the criminal code, as noted by Ms. Viaud, the code of criminal procedure and the law on prisons. In that connection, we welcome the first round of the evaluation of prisons to be carried out by the Directorate of Prison Administration with a view to strengthening the resources devoted to this area, which we hope, together with regulatory reforms, will contribute to solving the acute problems of health care and prison overcrowding. Peru believes that, in line with resolution 2410 (2018), MINUJUSTH’s exit and transition process must take into account the security conditions on the ground and Haiti’s overall capacity to ensure stability in its territory. It is a matter of taking the necessary precautions — as noted by the representative of the Dominican Republic — so as not to jeopardize the progress achieved. In line with the Government’s priorities, the new mission should pursue MINUJUSTH’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law, train the Haitian National Police, reduce communal violence, reform the justice system, and protect and promote human rights. In that regard, we agree with the Secretary-General that the new mission should take the form of a strategic advisory office that works in an integrated manner with the country team. We believe that the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti and the Peacebuilding Commission should continue to play an important role in that new architecture in order to ensure an adequately resourced, orderly and peaceful transition that will allow for a sustained United Nations presence that can respond and contribute effectively and continually to Government efforts. In conclusion, I wish to express Peru’s support for the important responsibilities of MINUJUSTH and the United Nations system on the ground, as well as our firm commitment to ensuring the stability and prosperity of Haiti and the region as a whole.

At the outset, we sincerely thank the briefers and welcome the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti in this meeting. In April 2004, that is 15 years ago and during the German presidency of the Security Council, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti was established and tasked with restoring stability to Haiti. Since then and to this day, the United Nations has achieved success upon success at all levels thanks to the hard work of all actors and staff members in the Mission. We would like to express our appreciation and respect for all they have done during this period, and in particular to those who have sacrificed their lives in defence of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, embodied in the establishment of peace and security and the restoration of stability to a founding Member of our Organization. That led the Council to draw down the Mission and to its replacement with another for two years, tasked with supporting the justice system in Haiti and planning for the future presence of the United Nations beyond peacekeeping. That Mission has pursued its tireless efforts, within its mandate, to consolidate and build upon the successes already achieved. We are today on the verge of the end of that mandate. Before us are recommendations and proposals of the Secretary-General, which have been submitted after careful and meticulous assessment, as well as after consultations with all stakeholders in Haiti on the ideal future presence of the United Nations following the closing of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. Much progress has been made in recent years at different levels, leading to an environment of relative security and stability in Haiti. That is apparent, first, in the professionalism and efficiency of the Haitian National Police, as was seen in its handling of the demonstrations this year, through which it earned the respect and trust of the international community concerning its ability to maintain security and public order. Second is the continued reduction of the reported crimes as a result of the efforts of the United Nations Mission and the Haitian National Police alike. Thirdly, progress has been achieved in combating the cholera epidemic as a result of the continued support provided by the United Nations to the national authorities in order to implement the national plan with the aim of eradicating the epidemic. Fourthly, the justice appointments of recent days will positively affect the progress of the justice system in the country and increase its efficiency, especially after the adoption of the law on establishing and organizing the National Council on Legal Aid. There have also been many other successes that are hard to enumerate. However, there are at the same time numerous significant challenges that must be taken into consideration. First, the scheduled legislative elections next October will require tireless efforts from the national authorities so as to ensure that they are held in the best possible way. Secondly, the economic depression has caused many problems that have affected the basic needs of citizens and will require all parties and political stakeholders to put aside their differences and engage in a comprehensive national dialogue to agree a national plan for implementing economic reforms and creating an environment conducive to investment. Thirdly, the overcrowding in the penitentiary system has negatively affected the humanitarian situation. Fourthly, financial shortcomings have undermined the strategic plan to increase the efficiency of State institutions. Fifthly, all forms of corruption must be combated and a foundation laid for the achievement of good governance and the promotion of the rule of law. We must make a concerted effort to provide support to the national authorities in order to overcome those challenges so as to preserve the many gains achieved. We therefore support the Secretary-General’s recommendations and suggestions concerning the establishment of a special political mission in Haiti to provide good offices and advice for the duration of one year.

Before we begin, we would like to welcome and support the German presidency for its innovation. We hope that drawing open its curtains and shedding light on the Security Council will lead to greater transparency in its work and perhaps ultimately to the reform of the Council demanded by most Member States, especially the African States. We would like to thank Germany for convening this meeting following the recent developments in Haiti. We will not thank the briefers, pursuant to the President’s directive, but perhaps it would be appropriate to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti to our meeting. At the outset, we wish to welcome the positive gains and progress made in Haiti, particularly in the development of the national police force, which showed its professionalism and efficiency under heavy pressure during the recent demonstrations. We wish to express our concern about the deteriorating security situation in the country. The recent protests throughout the country not only exacerbated the humanitarian and human rights situation but also undermined prospects for the conduct of peaceful elections in October this year. I would remind the Haitian Foreign Minister that those events highlighted the persistent need for reconciliation in the country. It is worth noting that a State that takes steps towards reconciliation not only unites its people and encourages a nationally owned process but also, through those efforts, creates environments that are conducive to more effective institutions. It is in that context that the Foreign Minister should understand that South Africa supports the call by the Secretary-General for a national and inclusive dialogue among Haitians in order to encourage calm and long-term stability in their country. The United Nations has historically played a critical role in Haiti through the Secretary-General and his good offices, by building the capacity of institutions like the Haitian National Police, which is critical for strengthening efforts aimed at the democratization in Haiti. Furthermore, we believe that it is the role of the United Nations and the Government, in partnership with civil society organizations, to bring together all disputing parties in order to reach an agreement that benefits the people of Haiti. Civil society has much to contribute in that regard given its experience of realities on the ground, including the security situation, the economic crisis and deteriorating humanitarian conditions. South Africa has noted the proposals of the Secretary-General in his latest report on Haiti (S/2019/198), particularly with regard to the drawdown of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the establishment of a special political mission thereafter. We believe it is important that the Council continue to play a stabilizing role in Haiti, which would require close monitoring of the situation on the ground as well as a needs assessment, particularly in the lead-up to the October elections. Furthermore, it is important to note that election processes can give rise to uncertainty but also the possibility of calm later on. As such, United Nations support in the run-up to and aftermath of the elections in Haiti will be important, including by working closely with the Government and authorities of Haiti to ensure a smooth transition as the MINUJUSTH mandate comes to an end in October. Finally, and ceding some of my time to my colleague from the Dominican Republic, the continued support of the international community for the Government and the people of Haiti remains a critical element in achieving security, stability and inclusive democracy in the country and the region.

This has been an especially rich and informative meeting on Haiti, thanks largely to our briefers this morning. I think the presence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Chamber today reminds us all that human rights are of vital importance, both in their own right and across the other two pillars of the United Nations. We know that States that violate human rights are less prosperous, less stable, less able to meet the demands of their people and more likely to pose a threat to international peace and security. I want to focus on three issues today. First, I would like to address the issue of women and peace and security. Ms. Viaud drew our attention to the many barriers faced by women in Haiti, including gender-based violence and a lack of access to health care and justice. We strongly agree with the calls she made this morning, in particular for improved services to survivors of gender-based violence, especially with regard to fair and safe access to justice, and for ensuring that whatever United Nations entity succeeds the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), it must ensure that any gains made on gender equality are preserved and should also support women’s protection and empowerment. I would also echo the call that Ms. Viaud made for improved participation by women in political life, a point made by my Belgian and Dominican colleagues as well. Surely that will help to accelerate progress towards securing improved rights, justice and access to services for women. I also agree that it is very important that the United Nations, in its reports to the Security Council, should focus on that issue and update us on progress. Secondly, turning to the human rights situation in Haiti, we very much agree with other speakers that, while there has been progress in the human rights situation in the country, that progress has been uneven and serious concerns remain. We welcome the work that has been done on the development of a national action plan on human rights and the appointment of a ministerial-level human rights focal point. We welcome the other improvements mentioned in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2019/198). However, at the same time, we remain concerned about the human rights abuses allegedly committed by the Haitian National Police during the demonstrations of October and November 2018, including allegations of summary executions. It is also a concern that, according to the Secretary-General’s report, 74 per cent of the prison population is still on pretrial detention and the death rate of those in prison, according to this helpful handout from the United Nations, has actually increased from 11.8 to 14 per 1,000 inmates. Those concerns remain. I want to emphasize that, if Haiti is to accelerate on its path to stability and prosperity based on a reinforced social contract between the State and its citizens, then human rights need to come front and centre, and that is a particularly important element of the shift away from peacekeeping to peacebuilding that we really hope can be given a higher priority. In the spirit of interactivity, Mr. President, you encouraged us to ask questions. It would be useful to know from the United Nations when the results of the MINUJUSTH investigation of events at La Saline will be completed and hopefully made available to the Security Council. Thirdly, and finally, on the question of the reconfiguration of the United Nations presence that many speakers have touched upon, the United Kingdom broadly supports the Secretary-General’s proposal for MINUJUSTH to be succeed by a special political mission. We especially welcome the fact that human rights and women’s protection and empowerment will be at the centre of its mandate. I hear the concerns of the Dominican Republic loud and clear. It will be important to ensure that the transition is conducted responsibly and smoothly, taking account of the situation on the ground as we move from a peacekeeping presence to a special political mission. We would like to reiterate our appreciation for the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and encourage all States to cooperate with it and offer it their full support. The United Nations has a clear role to play to ensure an integrated and sustainable transition, but it will ultimately be the Government of Haiti’s leadership that will make the transition a success.

I would like to begin by welcoming Foreign Minister Bocchit Edmond of Haiti and by saying, Let there be light in this Chamber and in Haiti. Indonesia is pleased to hear about the continuing progress on peace and stability in Haiti despite the challenges on the ground, especially during the recent violent protests in several parts of Haiti in February. We appreciate the efforts of the Haitian National Police to manage those violent situations. It is very important to ensure that they do not escalate in any way, since we cannot afford such setbacks or the related humanitarian consequences. I would like to thank the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations for the United Nations Mission in Support of Justice in Haiti (MINUJUSТН) dashboard, which certainly brings the Council into the twenty-first century of infographics and millennial thinking. There are still some targets to be reached, and I also have some questions about the targets for numbers of kidnappings and other crimes, which I think should be zero rather than any other figures, but perhaps that can be clarified later. I would like to highlight three points. First, like other members, Indonesia is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Haiti, and we urge that the suffering of people in need be promptly addressed and alleviated, considering that 27 per cent of the population is still in a crisis phase and 5.5 per cent in an emergency phase where food security is concerned. The Government of Haiti should take the lead and work together with all stakeholders to address those issues. Secondly, the rule of law remains key to accelerating structural reforms and improving the people’s living conditions. The Government should take concrete measures to investigate high-profile cases in order to gain public trust. We share the Secretary- General’s view of the importance of a national dialogue for underpinning longer-term stability. It is the responsibility of all Haitian leaders, whether in the Government, the opposition or other sectors of society, to support this. In addition, the political process for the upcoming election should help to strengthen Haitian democracy. Stability and security in Haiti must be maintained at this critical moment. Thirdly, for its part, Indonesia will fully support the implementation of the MINUJUSTH mandate, in accordance with resolution 2410 (2018), in order to help establish a more stable and secure environment. On 3 March Indonesia sent two women individual police officers (IPOs) to Haiti, to be followed by eight more IPOs. We believe that MINUJUSTH should continue its community violence reduction programme with a view to mitigating violence and promoting dialogue, and that the Mission’s peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts should make community engagement a priority, promoting dialogue among local communities and including the participation of women and young people. We also support the recommendation of the Secretary- General on the deployment of a special political mission mandated to provide its good offices and advise the Government of Haiti on specific areas. In conclusion, Indonesia would also like to emphasize its appreciation for the work that MINUJUSTH has done and encourage it to continue creating a propitious environment, providing capacity-building and helping to strengthen governance and reform. We believe that the people and the Government of Haiti know what is best for them and that the Council should listen to their wishes. We look forward to a successful transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding with the aim of achieving a peaceful and prosperous Haiti. We have confidence in the country’s Government and people, and the international community should continue to support Haiti in its development process. Since I still have several grains of sand remaining in the hourglass, I will donate them to my colleague from Equatorial Guinea.

I would first like to congratulate you, Sir, on the start of Germany’s presidency, following that of France and linked to it in a twin relationship that illustrates the special partnership between our two countries, which have put together a shared programme and spirit for these two months aimed at improving not just our customs and methods but also our results on the ground. France will be at your side throughout this month. I would also like to join previous speakers in expressing my pleasure at the opportunity to hear from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and I hope we will be having regular interactions with her in the future. And I welcome the presence here today of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti. We are all agreed that this is a pivotal moment of transition in the relationship between the United Nations and Haiti, as we near the end of the term of the United Nations Mission in Support of Justice in Haiti (MINUJUSТН). As the briefers emphasized, Haiti still faces many challenges, to which I will return, that require not only the ongoing commitment of the Haitian authorities but also the robust support of Haiti’s international partners, beginning with the Security Council. It is in that context that France fully supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation for a special political mission. That transition, which has now been in preparation for two years, will turn the page on peacekeeping operations and open a new chapter in the cooperation between the United Nations and Haiti. In that context, we should focus on two points in particular in order to enable the United Nations to continue helping to make a positive difference in Haiti. First, the country’s political and economic instability continues to be central to our concerns. More than a quarter of the population is currently food insecure. Economic and social hardships continue. Haitians are being hit hard by the deteriorating economic situation and are demanding better access to basic services. The resurgence of violence produced by those problems is worrying. We have seen unacceptable acts of violence, particularly on the fringes of the February demonstrations, which paralysed the country yet again and had a disastrous impact on Haitians’ daily lives. Violence can only aggravate the problems, and we call on all Haitian political stakeholders to firmly condemn the use of violence and take a constructive approach, including within the framework of the good- offices mission led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. There is still much to be done to build the solid institutions and legislative framework that are essential to establishing the rule of law. France urges the Haitian authorities to carry out the reforms that will ensure a justice system for Haitian society that is more accessible, efficient and representative. We also deplore the fact that only one of the 12 seats on the Supreme Court is held by a woman. The fight against corruption and impunity, which is at the heart of the protesters’ demands, must also be given top priority. It is leading that fight that will enable Haitian politicians to rebuild a relationship of trust with the population. While some programmes have been implemented, primarily by МINUJUSТН, especially those aimed at reducing community violence against women, human rights violations persist, as Ms. Bachelet pointed out. We are particularly concerned about the links mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2019/198) between political actors and criminal organizations. There must be credible investigations and prosecutions of this problem where appropriate. Secondly, considering these challenges, France urges that we stay on the path established by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and MINUJUSTH and supports a transition to a special political mission. The special political mission that will succeed MINUJUSTH will provide an opportunity to focus United Nations efforts on the three areas where the added value of the United Nations has been proven — first, the Council of the Haitian National Police, which is already autonomous in most Haitian regions; next, building the rule of law, including the prison system; and lastly, monitoring the human rights situation and reducing violence within communities. The High Commissioner’s recommendations on that will be valuable. As the Secretary-General has suggested, the provision of good offices should also be a focus of the future mission’s mandate. Besides the special political mission, it is the United Nations system as a whole, particularly the country team, that will have to adapt to meet Haiti’s needs. In that regard, we welcome the Haitian Government’s decision to call on the Peacebuilding Fund. The projects it finances will provide the Haitian population with valuable assistance. The fight against the cholera epidemic, which is on the verge of being eradicated, will not stop. Finally, France encourages Haiti’s political leaders to do everything possible to create the conditions for the country’s sustainable and stable development. Among the projects for which the Haitian authorities are responsible, I would like to mention the interministerial action plan on human rights, which must now be finalized. As Ms. Viaud’s briefing showed us, civil society is already overflowing with initiatives and talents and deserves our full and complete support. Ms. Viaud’s compelling appeal for the protection of women and the promotion of their rights and participation must be fully heard. In conclusion, I simply want to point to the motto on Haiti’s coat of arms, “Unity is Strength”, which reminds us how vital national unity is if Haiti is to be able to build its future, particularly in view of the upcoming elections.

I would like to thank the briefers for their valuable remarks and presentations. Poland aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union later today. Let me start on a positive note by saying that the progress that has been made in Haiti is undeniable. We acknowledge the understanding that the Haitian Government’s representatives have expressed of their people’s grievances and their assessment that the situation in the country needs improvement. We agree that a dialogue is the only way out of the crisis. Tackling corruption, especially where the PetroCaribe case is concerned, and the promotion of new economic measures to provide relief are steps in the right direction and should help those facing serious economic hardship. However, we are concerned about the recent outbreaks of violence. It is disappointing that despite the significant upgrade in the capabilities of the Haitian National Police (HNP), there are still frequent episodes of violence resulting in deaths and tensions. Regrettably, some members of the police are being accused of overstepping their powers. It goes without saying that human rights and development are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Haiti cannot be truly rebuilt without addressing those two areas on an equal footing. The Government’s cooperation with civil society is extremely important in that respect, as it provides a healthy foundation for the future. We hope that President Moïse and the new Government will explore every avenue in their efforts to break the current stalemate by engaging in deep, inclusive and sincere political dialogue. We believe that the October elections will be a significant milestone in Haiti’s efforts to achieve stability. We therefore hope that the Haitian authorities will do everything in their power to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent, and that the current electoral calendar remains intact. The new authorities will be expected to undertake deep structural reforms to revive the country’s economy and social structure. We recognize the positive role that the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) has played in transforming the National Police and the significant growth of its role and capabilities. However, we are concerned about whether the HNP will be able to conduct effective operations after various components of MINUJUSTH have withdrawn. If there are problems, we will not be able to give the national forces support if they need it, especially during the usually heated election period. Turning to the humanitarian situation, we hope that the Government will work closely with United Nations agencies and all relevant international actors to bring humanitarian aid, including food assistance, to the more than 2 million people in need. It is worrying that the crisis remains constantly underfunded. We therefore support the plan of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to concentrate on four strategic aspects that will prioritize the most vulnerable groups. We are pleased with the work that MINUJUSTH has done so far in helping Haiti to address structural and operational shortcomings in the areas of police development, human rights, justice, corrections and strengthening institutional responses with a view to promoting public trust in those areas. As we approach the closure of the peacekeeping chapter in Haiti’s modern history, we must bear in mind that a number of the objectives established for MINUJUSTH’s two-year exit strategy, including those relating to the rule of law and human rights, are not expected to be fully achieved by this October. That means that the political mission that is set to replace MINUJUSTH should be made up of key components related to democracy, the rule of law and human rights in order to better assist Haitian authorities in their rebuilding efforts. There is a great deal of work to be accomplished in a short time. We therefore call on the Haitian authorities to stay vigilant in prioritizing their efforts so that history does not repeat itself. We stand ready to assist them in order to secure stability and a better future for all Haitians.

As you suggested, Mr. President, we will dissolve all our welcomes and diplomatic formalities in the sand of the Thuringian hourglass and get right down to business. We have very mixed feelings about the situation in Haiti. On the one hand, we are seeing increasingly optimistic assessments of the restoration of national ownership in each succeeding report on the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. The Secretary-General’s assertion that the Haitian National Police will be able to assume full responsibility for the country’s security and protection by October is quite indicative in that regard. On the other hand, the Haitian people’s awareness of their national responsibility for the future of their country is spurring society to greater social activism and the expression of its civic views. That has led to challenges that are typical for mature States. We have been watching the spiralling new tensions in the social and political life of the country with alarm. The popular unrest of recent months has been unfolding in waves, with outbreaks in October and November of last year that ripened into mass protests by February that swept across the entire country and claimed dozens of lives. While we see that the leadership is attempting to normalize the situation, we have nonetheless been compelled to conclude that the resignation of the Prime Minister and his Government could not prevent the opposition forces from calling for a general protest. Needless to say, while peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are inalienable rights, we should not forget that they should be exercised in strict compliance with national legislation. Such disagreements between Government and society are not new. They occur in other parts of the Western hemisphere and indeed all over the world. We will continue to reiterate that the only effective way to resolve internal differences is through an inclusive national dialogue, which is the only path to a viable and sustainable resolution regardless of the State in question. We have always said that we see attempts to forcibly oppose legitimate authorities to be extremely dangerous, as they do not help to consolidate society or meet the demands of States’ gradual development. Like the Secretary-General, we therefore hope that the people of Haiti will be able to overcome their differences through a constructive internal dialogue that is as inclusive as possible and, crucially, peaceful. That is particularly important in the light of the country’s upcoming elections. At this difficult moment for Haiti, we also believe firmly that the international community cannot remain indifferent and must help the Government and the people of Haiti to implement their national responsibility for post-conflict peacebuilding. a great deal of work lies ahead for the United Nations staff, whose task is to provide the Haitian authorities with the greatest possible assistance. The issue is how exactly international assistance can be most effective. For example, we have long said that the situation in Haiti is not a threat to international peace and security. That means that there is no need to continue to act under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations in the country. That is why a year ago, we abstained in the voting on resolution 2410 (2018) (see S/PV.8226), which, at the insistence of the American delegation, extended the application of the provisions of Chapter VII even to the Mission’s mandate to support human rights monitoring in the country. Our position on that remains unchanged. In conclusion, allow me to affirm that Russia supports Port-au-Prince and will continue to work to ensure that the Security Council’s efforts will result in genuinely normalizing the situation in Haiti and strengthening its sovereignty and self-sufficiency.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the German presidency for the good innovations. I would be remiss if I did not personally express our thanks to Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and High Commissioner Bachelet, as well as Ms. Viaud, for their informative briefings, which truly spoke to our hearts. We congratulate the Government of Haiti and would first like to say how happy we are to have among us today the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti, whom we welcome and wish a good stay here in New York. We would also like to thank him for the significant improvements seen in Haiti with regard to both the functioning of institutions and respect for human rights, as we have just heard in the briefings. Given those improvements, for which we give credit to the United Nations support mission and the political will and leadership of the Government of Haiti, we now need to increase and further strengthen support for the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the Government in order to build on those improvements and prevent them from being reversed. The humanitarian situation in Haiti is still very fragile. Indeed, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 2.5 million Haitians in the country currently need humanitarian assistance, a significant part of the population does not have access to drinking water and hundreds of thousands of children do not have access to education. We sincerely believe that insufficient attention has been paid to the humanitarian risk. There should therefore be a considerable increase in humanitarian assistance in order to significantly reduce the current figures regarding the humanitarian situation in the country by the end of the year, in particular all those adverse events suffered by children and women. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea fully supports the renewal of the MINUJUSTH mandate for six months and a review of the possible options to be adopted for the period after 15 October, on the basis of resolution 2410 (2018). In our view, the United Nations presence is essential in order to support the process of rebuilding the country’s institutions. That should be carried out through a special political mission, not a peacekeeping one. We fully share the Secretary-General’s desire for a smooth and orderly transition to maintain a strong United Nations political presence in Haiti, since a gradual approach is necessary if we wish to see a successful transition. In conclusion, the Government of Haiti must give high priority to addressing gang violence and to building stronger links with communities affected by violent crime. At the same time, the international community must give greater support to MINUJUSTH in its community violence reduction programme in order to even further mitigate violence in hotspots in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. It must also continue to promote dialogue in fragile neighbourhoods affected by a chronic lack of socioeconomic opportunities and limited access to basic services, including the police and justice systems.

I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Ms. Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for their briefings. We listened very carefully to the intervention of Ms. Viaud. I welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti in the Chamber today. The recent political situation in Haiti remains complex, with challenging economic and humanitarian situations. China hopes that the Haitian Government can assume responsibility for maintaining the country’s stability and development, enhance its development capacity, strengthen the rule of law, conduct a constructive nation-wide dialogue and properly resolve differences through consultations so that the overall security and development of the country can be achieved as soon as possible and the people of Haiti can live and work in peace. The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and Special Representative La Lime have made significant efforts to maintain stability in Haiti and to promote the capacity-building of relevant departments of the Haitian Government. China commends them for that. The Mission will conclude its work in October of this year. China supports the Secretary-General’s road map for drawdown and exit. The Mission should continue to transfer responsibility to the Haitian Government in a steady and orderly manner and complete the drawdown and exit on schedule. With regard to the transition to a special political mission following MINUJUSTH, the members of the Security Council, the Secretariat, the Haitian Government and other stakeholders should fully discuss the relevant issues. The Haitian Government should continue to strengthen its coordination and collaboration with the United Nations to ensure a smooth transition.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Germany. Let me first say that, from our national point of view, everything in my statement has already been said so I will refer to what was said earlier. First of all, I would like to welcome the Foreign Minister of Haiti. I thank him for being here. I would also like to thank his delegation for the very good cooperation we had in preparation for today’s meeting. I would like to thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his intervention. His dashboard was widely praised. I think that it is very good. I will give him the floor a little later because there were a few questions put by the representative of the United Kingdom and other speakers. Also listening around the table to our Chinese and Equatorial Guinean colleagues, as well as the representatives of Kuwait, France and others, I think that the Secretary- General’s report (S/2019/198) and his proposal with regard to a special political mission as a follow-up was widely praised. I would like to thank in particular Ms. Bachelet for her presence and for her briefing. From a German perspective, I would just like to highlight her phrase when she said that the promotion and protection of human rights is a foundation to stability and development. I hope that we will be able to give the necessary support with regard to the special political mission. I am also very happy to have heard that she is working with the Haitian Government regarding a stand-alone presence. Perhaps the Haitian Foreign Minister could say a few words about where Haiti stands with regard to that and to such an office. Let me also thank Ms. Viaud for what she said in a very impressive way about inequality, sexual and gender- based violence and women’s political participation. These are key issues. We fully support what she said, and, as she has seen, many around the table also back what she said. Our colleagues from France, the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic noted how important this is for the stability of society and of the country. Again, I do not wish to overburden the Minister, but perhaps he can say something in his intervention about the promotion of the issues that were raised, the protection of women and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence. Our French colleague mentioned the fact that only one of the 12 seats on the Supreme Court is held by a woman, so perhaps that issue can be addressed. Briefly, I would say that the remarks all went in pretty much the same direction. As our American colleague said, Haiti is on a positive trajectory, and there are many examples of where things went well, but, of course, there are still some deficits. There is one issue where I personally do not see this as clear, where Jonathan said that we should not link the length of the mission to the elections. Elections in Haiti have always been a case involving problems related to the duration. On the substance of the special political mission there, I would fully support what our Belgian, French and Russian colleagues said concerning maximum assistance, so we should do everything with the special political mission to support the Government. I would also add to the list what my colleagues from Belgium and the Dominican Republic said with regard to the Peacebuilding Fund. South Africa, Poland and Côte d’Ivoire stressed the need to hold a dialogue with civil society. Our Russian colleague said that there has to be an inclusive national dialogue; I think that it is very important to include civil society in the way forward. Let me conclude by echoing what the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic said: we should not rush ahead or endanger what has been achieved, and so we must move carefully ahead. We are on a good trajectory, but it is fragile. I think that the Minister will take away from the Security Council that there is a strong wish to support him. I think that I did not overstep my five minutes. I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti. With my colleagues’ permission, he can have some extra time.

On the contrary, Mr. President, I was going to ask you to put the hourglass down horizontally. I should like to begin by thanking Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for her very enlightening briefing and for her interest in promoting and protecting human rights in Haiti. I wish also to thank my fellow countrywoman, Loune Viaud, Executive Director of Zanmi Lasante, for her remarks on the situation of women and girls, of which I took good note. At the outset, I wish to thank the Security Council for having invited me to participate in this meeting of the Council to share the views and observations of the Government of the Republic of Haiti on the report of Secretary-General António Guterres on the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) (S/2019/198), submitted pursuant to resolution 2410 (2018). Let me start by saying that the report provides a very objective assessment of developments in Haiti, the support provided by the United Nations in the framework of MINUJUSTH, the efforts undertaken by the national authorities in a very difficult context and the steps that remain to be taken in the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and the strengthening of the democratic gains made in the country. The President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Mr. Jovenel Moïse, has tasked me with reiterating to the Secretary-General his heartfelt gratitude for the relevance of the report and his full support for the success of his lofty and delicate mission in the service of the international community. Here I refer in particular to the painstaking consultations carried out by representatives of the United Nations with the country’s highest authorities in the quest for a better option involving a presence that is better adapted to the socio-political developments in the country following the drawdown of MINUJUSTH. In that connection, I congratulate Mr. Jean- Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, both for the excellent coordination of the strategic assessment mission as well as for the accuracy of his briefing on the most recent events in the country. My thanks also go to Ms. Helen La Lime, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, for her exemplary commitment. It would be remiss of me not to commend here the unwavering courage and sense of responsibility of all my Haitian brothers and sisters, who, despite the major difficulties of the present context, remain resolutely committed to the lofty ideals of the founding fathers of our national independence. History calls on us, my fellow countrymen, to work together selflessly, guided by the tripartite Republican motto “Liberty, equality, fraternity”, so that the Republic of Haiti, one of the founding Members of the United Nations in 1945, can once again play its rightful role in the international arena. Resolution 2410 (2018) provides, in its paragraph 8, for the drawdown on 15 October 2019 of MINUJUSTH, which was established in 2017 following the closing of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. The progress that has been made as part of MINUJUSTH’s mandate is allowing us today to opt for a new United Nations presence in Haiti, one that is not a peacekeeping mission. The Government of the Republic of Haiti fervently hopes that the new role of the United Nations will remain coherent with the changing overall context in the country as well as national needs in the areas of security, justice, stability and sustainable development. The Government of the Republic of Haiti is fully aware of the fact that it bears responsibility for, first and foremost, adopting the strategies necessary to provide lasting responses to the real needs and legitimate claims and expectations of its people. In that regard, I am firmly convinced that the political will to achieve that goal must go hand in hand with the mobilization of the necessary resources. Therefore, the substantive and organizational contributions of the United Nations, its specialized agencies, funds and programmes and all international partners will remain essential. The Government of Haiti wishes to emphasize the findings of the strategic assessment, the options considered for a United Nations presence other than a peacekeeping operation in Haiti and the very relevant observations and recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2019/198), which highlights the significant events that have taken place in the country since the publication of his previous report (S/2018/1059), including the demonstrations held in the main cities since 7 February. The demands of the demonstrators focused on the country’s socioeconomic problems, especially the steep rise in the cost of living. Regrettably, such demonstrations were marked by unfortunate acts of violence that resulted in deaths, including the deaths of two police officers who were burned alive, and considerable property damage. The Secretary-General quite rightly noted that demonstrators vandalized public and private property, used firearms, erected barricades and disrupted economic activity in the country’s main urban centres. The unrest disrupted trade and markets and had a serious impact on income-generating activities, in particular in households headed by women, which are often dependent upon market-oriented employment. With regard to women’s rights, my country has made considerable efforts to promote women’s rights. As the Council is undoubtedly aware, the amended 1987 Constitution incorporated a 30 per cent constitutional quota for women throughout the country’s social structure. At the humanitarian level, the report mentions the persistent migration crisis, increasing food insecurity, progress in combating the cholera epidemic, the situation of the Central Emergency Response Fund and the funding gap in the humanitarian assistance plan. It acknowledges the joint efforts of the Haitian Government and MINUJUSTH to reduce the level of gang violence and establish closer links with communities affected by violent crime. Significant progress has been made in implementing the mandate of MINUJUSTH in areas such as combating local violence, enhancing the performance of the Haitian National Police, improving security, justice and the rule of law, improving prison administration, promoting human rights and preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Secretary-General commended the efforts of the Haitian National Police and the ongoing improvements within that institution. The National Police has been increasingly autonomous in providing security throughout the country. Its performance in the recent demonstrations attests to its enhanced capacity for maintaining order throughout the country. Regarding the concerns expressed by the representative of the United Kingdom about the incident at La Saline, the President of Haiti has condemned such acts of violence. He has instructed the relevant institutions, such as the Haitian National Police and the Government Commissioner, to conduct an investigation in order to shed light on events that have regrettably been portrayed as a massacre planned by the State. I would like to refute that accusation and inform the Council that, unfortunately, what happened at La Saline remains in dispute. Nonetheless, I assure the Council that the Haitian Government is in the process of conducting an investigation to shed light on what took place. As the Secretary-General indicated in paragraph 70 of his report, “the Haitian authorities expressed support for the deployment of a special political mission under Chapter VI of the Charter designed to accompany current priorities in specific and strategic rule of law, security, human rights and development areas for a transitional period, so that Haiti would be subsequently removed from the Security Council agenda.” The demonstrations held in recent months have highlighted, if there were still a need to do so, the crucial steps that need to be taken, including the urgent need to strengthen the fight against insecurity and multifaceted corruption and to improve, significantly and without delay, the living conditions of all segments of the Haitian population. The President of Haiti has not in any way underestimated the difficulties that his Administration had been tasked to overcome. That is reflected in the Change Caravan, which he launched on 1 May 2017, with, regrettably, very limited resources. Unfortunately, that innovative and ambitious initiative, which could be improved upon, has not yet received all of the support needed. Council members will surely agree with me that the promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, justice and the reform of key national institutions must go hand in hand with sustainable economic, social and environmental development, including through risk reduction and natural disaster preparedness initiatives, in a country that is extremely vulnerable to environmental threats. It is in that spirit that future cooperation between the Government of Haiti and the Organization must be carried out, in harmony and in compliance with obligations within the framework of a special political mission. The President of Haiti is aware that no political party or sector of national life can claim to be able to overcome on its own the major challenges facing the country. That is why he reiterated the unconditional call for constructive and inclusive dialogue among all national stakeholders. He is convinced that the nation’s recovery is the responsibility of all Haitians who demonstrate goodwill. In that spirit, and in compliance with the provisions of the amended 1987 Haitian Constitution, the President initiated discussions with several sectors, with a view to selecting a new Prime Minister, in consultation with the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, and to forming a Government that reflects the legitimate aspirations of all sectors of national life. On behalf of the President of the Republic, I have already requested and been assured that the United Nations, through the good offices of the Secretary-General, will play the role of observer in that inter-Haitian dialogue. A request for technical assistance was therefore issued by the facilitation committee of the inter-Haitian national dialogue to provide an experienced United Nations expert in that area. Within that same framework, on 12 March, the President reactivated the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration to deal with all issues related to local violence, which constitutes an obstacle to the country’s socioeconomic development. That decision by the President provided the necessary impetus to the development of a national strategy to control the flow of weapons and support vulnerable young people prone to being recruited by armed groups. Accordingly, the Government of Haiti is energetically seeking the United Nations strategic support within the framework of a special political mission. Such support will make the reconfiguration of the Commission possible, while considering the following main points: the development of a weapons and ammunition management programme; the implementation of socioeconomic projects to reduce community violence; and the expansion of the presence of community police in high-risk areas. I look forward to continuing discussions with Ms. La Lime, which should lead to the provision of United Nations technical support for the national dialogue as well as the development of a national strategy to combat the proliferation of armed gangs. The year 2019 will be in many ways a pivotal one for my country, which will ultimately be defined by the effectiveness of the national authorities’ efforts to respond to the urgent demands of every segment of the population. The upcoming holding of legislative elections in a peaceful security environment will be particularly crucial. The Government of the Republic of Haiti is committed to taking all the necessary measures to ensure that those elections are held in accordance with constitutional deadlines and within a renewed environment of constructive dialogue. I strongly hope that the United Nations and Haiti’s main international partners will not fail in providing concrete support for the priorities defined by the national authorities, with a view to ensuring security and stability and encouraging direct foreign investment and the long- term development of the country. Rest assured that the main institutions of the Haitian State, under the leadership of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Jovenel Moïse, will continue to play their full role in the major transformations necessary to improving the living conditions of the Haitian people and, moreover, maintain the climate of trust and safeguard the hope for a better future. Long live the Republic of Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.

I congratulate you, Sir, on your leadership and reforms. They may be small steps for humankind, but they are giant ones for the Security Council. (spoke in French) I thank the members of the Security Council for holding this important debate on the future of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and for inviting Canada. I particularly thank and welcome the presence of Foreign Minister Edmond and Ms. Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Allow me to stress my agreement with the statement delivered by Ambassador Ndong Mba of Equatorial Guinea with regard to the urgent humanitarian situation in Haiti. That worrisome situation cannot continue to be ignored by the international community. We must not overlook that difficult humanitarian situation when we discuss the other issues concerning the situation in Haiti. Much progress has been made since 2004 in the areas of security, governance, justice and human rights thanks to the efforts of the Haitian authorities, the meaningful presence of a United Nations mission and the continued support of the international community. Canada is pleased to have contributed to those efforts. We are particularly proud to have supported the strengthening of the Haitian penitentiary administration and the Haitian National Police with the establishment of the police academy. Recently, the national border police of Haiti was established through the support of Canada and the United States. Owing to its presence in the north-eastern part of the country, it has seized more than 600 kilogrammes of drugs over the past month alone . Close cooperation with the authorities of the Dominican Republic has also enabled restricting human trafficking. In that area, as in others, Canada will pursue its support for the development of Haiti in cooperation with its partners to improve the quality of life for all Haitians, especially those who are most vulnerable. Successive events since July of last year have demonstrated the need to continue efforts to help Haiti improve governance and ensure the rule of law in the country, including through — as the representatives of Indonesia and France pointed out earlier — combating corruption and impunity, as the foundation of the social contract, stability and economic growth for all. We also need to work in a more integrated way by using all the peacebuilding tools at our disposal — diplomacy, mediation, security support and development — to achieve a greater inclusive and lasting impact. Our efforts must encourage political solutions to underlying tensions and conflicts. (spoke in English) For those reasons, Canada supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General to establish a special political mission in Haiti to take over from MINUJUSTH. The transition to a political mission, however, must be carefully managed and objectives-based. We should listen carefully to what was said this morning by the representative of the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s neighbour, as well as the representative of Peru, a witness in the region. The objectives that have not been achieved by MINUJUSTH should serve as a starting point for the special political mission. Reducing the United Nations presence must also be gradual and carefully sequenced to minimize any negative impact and preserve hard-won gains made since 2004. We encourage the establishment of a robust special political mission with significant resources and with a high-level political team under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Such a mission must include well- equipped components to continue efforts aimed at decreasing community violence and strengthening the justice, police, corrections and human rights sectors. The transition should also include a strong electoral monitoring mechanism. The Mission should also include a focus on economic security. That has been missing in MINUJUSTH. As mentioned by Minister Edmond this morning, there will be no stability Haiti without economic opportunities for young people. Canada wishes to emphasize the need to also have a strong gender advisory capacity in the special political mission. We need to ensure that gender expertise in conflict does not become a nice-to-have by ensuring that advisers remain part of the assessed contributions. In addition to promoting the women and peace and security agenda, that would effectively support the Haitian authorities and civil society in improving the inclusion of women in all aspects of the national dialogue and reform processes. Canada encourages the Security Council to decide promptly on the establishment of the special political mission to ensure optimal preparation conditions on which to build a sustainable, democratic and inclusive peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

It is a pleasure to see you, Mr. President, presiding over this meeting, and I would like to thank Germany for organizing this debate. I also thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, and Under- Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for delivering their respective briefings on the situation in Haiti and the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). I would further like to welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti, and extend my thanks to the Executive Director of Zanmi Lasante for her briefing. Argentina welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/198), in particular the comprehensive and inclusive strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti in order to recommend the appropriate timetable for the end of the MINUJUSTH mandate and to identify the areas in which continued United Nations support would contribute most to sustaining peace and Haiti’s path towards sustainable development. Progress in the socioeconomic situation, in an equitable manner and in accordance with 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, remains key to long-term stability. Argentina also welcomes the Secretary-General’s recommendation to establish a special political mission to provide political and advisory capacities that would continue to pay attention to development and, in turn, enable the Security Council to continue to support Haiti’s efforts to achieve sustainable peace and strengthen the role of the good offices of the United Nations. In that regard, Argentina again underscores the need for the Mission’s transition to that new option to be based on the progressive fulfilment of the Mission’s mandate in order to prevent an early exit from jeopardizing the efforts of the past 15 years. We also understand that the Mission must address the aforementioned transition process and the establishment of the strategic advisory office, in close cooperation with the Government of Haiti and its leaders, respecting their national priorities and taking into account the principle of national ownership in the peacebuilding process. We emphasize that the Haitian authorities have expressed their approval of the deployment of a special political mission under Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations. In that regard, Argentina believes that such a mission should support Haitian actions related to socioeconomic development during the transition period, in coordination with the United Nations country team in Haiti, the Peacebuilding Commission and the Economic and Social Council. Although the challenges remain numerous, Argentina once again underscores the progress made in implementing the Mission’s important mandate, assisting Haiti in improving humanitarian conditions, reducing community violence, consolidating rule of law institutions, strengthening and developing the professionalism of the Haitian National Police and promoting and protecting human rights in the country. In that regard, we highlight the achievements made by the country overall in recent years and the efforts made by the Haitian authorities, in conjunction with MINUJUSTH, to build lasting stability and a better future for the country. In addition to maintaining bilateral cooperation with Haiti, Argentina will continue to provide trained police personnel for the Mission, to the extent possible and in accordance with specific requirements. We will continue to participate in both multilateral and bilateral efforts with the country, as we have done since the 1990s. Likewise, Argentina reaffirms its commitment to Haiti and its people, while emphasizing the invaluable work of the men and women of MINUJUSTH in fulfilment of its honourable mandate to support Haiti on its path towards the consolidation of peace and sustainable development.

I now give the floor to the observer of the European Union.

I am honoured to speak on behalf of the European Union and its 28 member States. I thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2019/198) and Mr. Lacroix, Ms. Bachelet and Ms. Viaud for their briefings. I especially welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti. The candidate countries Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania; the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate country Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as the Republic of Moldova, align themselves with this statement. Haiti has gone from a situation of latent fragility to a fully fledged political and economic crisis that has resulted since last July in a series of demonstrations and riots against the elevated cost of living, owing to inflation and the rapid depreciation of the local currency, which culminated in February in 12 long days of blockades in the country. In addition, demonstrations, generally peaceful in nature, were held to denounce the management of PetroCaribe funds by previous Administrations and demand accountability and an effective fight against corruption. Unfortunately, many of the protests were marked by episodes of violence that caused deaths and looting, despite the deployment of the Haitian National Police (HNP). The HNP has generally succeeded in containing tensions and limiting material damage in a context of widespread instability. However, as a result of that climate, the number of incidents involving armed gangs has increased; some have been particularly serious, with murders, rapes and violence, especially the one that took place last November in the neighbourhood of La Saline. An investigation is still ongoing following accusations of the involvement of the security forces. The European Union is concerned about the overall situation in Haiti. Politically, the radical opposition has exerted strong pressure in an attempt to force President Moïse to resign. Other political, civil society and business actors have demanded the establishment of a genuine national dialogue, which, unfortunately, after several unsuccessful attempts, remains behind schedule; some are waiting for a thorough reform of institutions and their functioning, with the electoral mandates under review. On 18 March, the Chamber of Deputies of the Haitian Parliament voted to dismiss Prime Minister Céant and his Government, to which they had given their vote of confidence just six months ago. In that context, and given the critical situation in the country, the European Union considers it imperative that President Moïse and the incoming new Government engage in a deep, inclusive and sincere political dialogue that can identify and implement the necessary political solutions to overcome the current impasse. It is important that women be able to participate meaningfully and equitably in that process. The holding of legislative elections for the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, within the time limits provided for in the Constitution, is also essential. Respect for the legitimacy of democratically elected institutions and the regular cycle of elections appears, in parallel and in complementarity with national dialogue, to be one of the essential conditions for the functioning of democracy in Haiti. Structural reforms are urgently needed to restore the country’s economy and finances and allow for properly inclusive socioeconomic development. As stated in the benchmarks for an exit strategy, prepared by the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), a consensual and far-reaching reform of the electoral system is a key component not only in preventing further institutional crises, but also in rebuilding a strong link between elected officials and voters in order to regain the people’s confidence. It is essential that the Haitian authorities and parliamentarians make every effort to organize the parliamentary and municipal elections in October 2019. We therefore hope that this deadline will be maintained and prepared in the best possible conditions. The European Union remains a faithful partner of the Republic of Haiti and committed to supporting the country in this sensitive period, in cooperation with the other partners, including in the indispensable process of dialogue and reform. The European Union is ready to continue its development cooperation in the country and to facilitate the emergence of effective and sustainable solutions to overcome the many challenges that the country faces. The European Union appreciates and supports the work done by MINUJUSTH in support of the development of the National Police, justice, the rule of law and the defence and promotion of human rights. However, we share the concerns expressed in the latest debriefing provided Mr. Jenča on 8 March, according to which the security situation remains particularly fragile and the progress on many benchmarks insufficient. The persistent inability of the Haitian National Police and national authorities to control gang-related violence, with accusations of collusion and other dysfunctions, is of particular concern. The European Union is particularly concerned about the ability of the HNP to conduct effective operations after the withdrawal of MINUJUSTH. We therefore consider it essential to complete the work of strengthening and professionalizing the Haitian National Police while preserving its autonomy and political neutrality. At the same time, we must continue to stress the importance of the reform and strengthening of justice and the penitentiary system, as well as the consolidation of human rights. MINUJUSTH’s withdrawal is scheduled for the same month in which the elections are supposed to take place. In Haitian history, such a coincidence has always marked a period of instability. It is therefore an additional source of concern and it is all the more important that the elections take place on the dates announced. In conclusion, let me reiterate the European Union’s appreciation for the contribution made by MINUJUSTH to security, conflict prevention, the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. However, we believe that the structural economic, social and financial causes of instability in Haiti have yet to be overcome and that the political and security situation remains very fragile. Special attention will need to be paid to ensuring respect for human rights in the work of the security forces and impartial justice for all. It is therefore essential that the Haitian police and judiciary be effectively prepared to assume all the tasks currently carried out by the United Nations Mission in the future. We believe that a gradual transition of MINUJUSTH and the full exercise by the Haitian National Police of its security responsibilities on 15 October will be critical in that regard. The European Union, along with the United Nations and the international community, will support the Haitian authorities in consolidating their commitment and efforts to secure a better future in peace, democracy, stability and well-being for the whole Haitian people.

I should like to offer the briefers an opportunity to take the floor if they have comments or responses to questions.

I shall briefly address several points, but first I should like to thank all speakers for their words of praise for the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and all our colleagues working in Haiti. Secondly, I also thank all representatives who expressed their intention to maintain their bilateral support for consolidating stability in Haiti. Whatever the Security Council may decide with respect to the nature of the future United Nations presence in Haiti, it is clear that maintaining and even strengthening such bilateral support will be of particular importance. Thirdly, I should like to respond to the question concerning the investigations into the incidents that took place in La Saline. Obviously, as Minister Edmond noted, it is up to the competent Haitian authorities to pursue and complete the investigations under way. With regard to the investigation launched by the United Nations, it is advancing and we expect to share its results with the Security Council in the next report of the Secretary-General, whose date of issuance will be determined by the Security Council in its next resolution. Lastly, I should like to refer to the participation of women, in particular in the context of the coming elections. I encourage the Haitian authorities to enshrine in the future electoral law the constitutional provisions on the participation of women and to encourage their full participation in the next local and legislative consultations. Naturally, the full support of the United Nations and the partners will be very important in that regard.

I now give the floor to Ms. Bachelet to make some brief comments. Ms. Bachelet: I thank you again, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity of participating in this important discussion and pledging our full commitment to supporting Haiti in all issues related to the promotion of human rights and, of course, issues close to my heart — gender equality and women’s empowerment. We will continue working with the Government, independent of the decision of the Security Council on options for the future, and will continue to pursue the possibility of a stand-alone office, where we can support the recommendations of the Secretary-General and the Security Council.

I now give the floor to Ms. Viaud for a second statement.

I just want to thank you, Mr. President. I hope to have the opportunity to meet with some of the delegations in order to pursue the recommendations made.

I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti for a second statement.

First, I want to thank Mr. Lacroix and his team once again. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Bachelet. After our last encounter in Geneva, I promised her that I would consider the establishment of an office in Haiti. We are working diligently on that and assure her that she will have a response soon in that regard. Mr. President, I did not want to conclude without thanking you once again for the invitation you kindly extended to me to participate in this meeting. My country, Haiti, is now at a very complicated crossroads, where we, as Haitians, must decide whether we will continue to watch our country decline or consolidate not only the democratic gains but the legacy that our founding fathers left us. That is what I want to believe today. I know that by 15 October, Haiti will no longer be within the remit of the Security Council, that is to say, of Chapter VII of the Charter. But I have certainly understood and greatly appreciate the various concerns, particularly those related to whether Haiti will be able continue alone after the departure of MINUJUSTH. I would say in response that over 15 years, the Council has shown that it knows how to feed this baby, especially the Haitian National Police, helping it to function on its own. It is certainly up to us Haitians to work and to find the crucial right moment to sit down and define the future of this country of ours. We will always be grateful for the support of our international friends, but today we Haitians find ourselves at this crossroads with a choice to make. Do we want to save this country — as I said in my remarks, to restore it to the international scene where it was before — or will we continue to watch its slow decline? I want to believe that we will choose the first option: to sit down, work together and bring Haiti back to life from its ashes.

I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti for his encouraging words. There are no more names inscribed on my list of speakers.