S/PV.8559 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Haiti to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2019/519, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 13 votes in favour and two abstentions. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2476 (2019). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

We were pleased to vote in favour of resolution 2476 (2019), which authorizes the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). This is a historic moment. Today we establish a new United Nations special political mission that replaces the 15-year-long peacekeeping mission in Haiti. The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti and its predecessor, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, made important strides in the areas of stability and security, democratic governance and institutional development and the promotion and protection of human rights in Haiti. We recognize the United Nations peacekeepers’ efforts to support a free, prosperous and peaceful Haiti, and we thank the troop- and police-contributing countries whose nations served in those missions. This transition also demonstrates that, as conditions on the ground evolve, the United Nations presence can and should change to reflect the new realities. It is our hope that this transition in Haiti will serve as a valuable model that the Security Council can apply elsewhere. As a long-time friend and partner to Haiti, the United States is clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead. It is essential for the Government of Haiti, in partnership with the United Nations and the United States, to recognize the great opportunity this moment presents and to seize it on behalf of the people of Haiti. A successful transition will depend in large part on the Haitian Government’s assumption of responsibility for the range of issues the Security Council is mandating BINUH to support. That includes free and fair elections, the continued professionalization of the Haitian National Police, the reduction of community and gang violence, the protection of human rights, improvements to prison facilities and detainee treatment, and justice-sector reform. A successful transition will also depend on close coordination among the many stakeholders invested in Haiti’s success, including, but not limited to, United Nations entities, Security Council members, local and international partners, the Haiti-based diplomatic corps and the humanitarian assistance community. In the coming months the United States will continue to call for constructive and inclusive dialogue among all Haitian actors. We are confident that compromise leading to a transparent and accountable Government will lay the foundation for a sustainable future for all Haitians.

We welcome the Council’s adoption today of resolution 2476 (2019), requesting the Secretary-General to establish the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for an initial period of 12 months starting on 16 October, in line with the Secretary-General’s recommendations and the priorities and expectations of the Government of Haiti. Peru is firmly committed to stability and development in Haiti, and we have confidence in the important role that BINUH will play in supporting the efforts of the Haitian Government during this transitional period, particularly in strengthening and promoting political dialogue, the rule of law, human rights and the fight against gangs and corruption. While we thank the delegation of the United States for its efforts to achieve a robust text, we would nevertheless like to day that we would have liked the resolution to include references to Haiti’s high vulnerability to the effects of climate change, as well as to the role of the Peacebuilding Fund and the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, which we believe are in a position to make a coordinated contribution to BINUH’s work. Peru will continue to be committed to the people and the Government of Haiti and to contributing, together with the United Nations and the international community, to their efforts to achieve sustainable peace in our brother country.

Germany welcomes today’s adoption of resolution 2476 (2019), although we are disappointed that it did not receive the Security Council’s full support. We welcome the mandate for a strategic political United Nations presence that will support the Haitian Government in tackling the many challenges presented by the extremely fragile political situation, including ensuring the necessary structural reforms, starting a constructive and inclusive national dialogue, protecting human rights, meeting the people’s humanitarian needs and strengthening the police and justice institutions. Of course, ownership belongs to the Haitians themselves when it comes to shaping the future of their country. Together with the international community, Germany stands ready to support Haiti in that endeavour. We want to make this transition work, and we want the new special political mission to be able to work jointly with the country team, effectively and efficiently, from the outset. One point I particularly want to highlight is that while we were pleased to see the reference in the resolution to the adverse effects of natural disasters on Haiti’s stability, we were surprised and disappointed that there was no reference to the security implications of the effects of climate change. At least since 2011 the Security Council has repeatedly expressed its concern about the possibility that the effects of climate change may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security, and has underlined the importance of conflict analysis and contextual information, including on the security implications of climate change in relevant situations. In that regard, I would point to the 2011 presidential statement on the subject (S/PRST/2011/15). Haiti is one of the countries of the world that is most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The effects of climate change there constitute a threat multiplier, bringing the risk of further destabilizing the country, creating new conflict over increasingly diminishing resources and derailing efforts aimed at peacebuilding and stabilization. The Security Council should therefore examine the situation more closely with a view to including the effects of climate change in its overall assessments and decision-making, and to do that we need a proper information basis, including a substantial risk assessment. Turning a blind eye to the problem will not make a threat multiplier like climate change disappear. Disregarding it and assessing the country situation selectively jeopardizes the effectiveness of the Council’s work. In that regard, I would like to note that the hearing last week in Washington of the proposed new United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations sent some encouraging signals, in that she specifically recognized the importance of climate change.

Haiti is encountering a multiplicity of challenges on the political, security and humanitarian fronts. The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the peacekeeping mission that preceded it have played an important role in assisting Haiti in achieving stability and enhancing capacity- building in the area of security. China supports the establishment of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), after the expiry of the mandate of MINUJUSTH, with a view to achieving an orderly transition and continuing to assist the Haitian Government in maintaining political stability, conducting a nationwide dialogue, training the Haitian National Police and responding to security challenges. We believe that the Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and that BINUH’s mandate must be clear and concise if it is to assist Haiti in responding to peace and security issues. China participated actively in the consultations on the text of resolution 2476 (2019) and proposed amendments to it. Regrettably, the final text failed to fully reflect our legitimate concerns, which is why China abstained in the voting today. China is ready to engage with the rest of the members of the Council in joint efforts to ensure that BINUH can fully carry out its mandate and play an active role in promoting stability and development in Haiti.

We welcome the adoption of resolution 2476 (2019), which launches the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti as of 16 October and establishes its mandate for the following 12 months. The work of the Office will focus on providing strategic advice to the Haitian authorities and the Haitian National Police and should support the country’s priorities with regard to security, development, respect for human rights and the entrenchment of the rule of law. Since the country is still facing many challenges, the situation requires not only the continuing commitment of every branch of the Haitian authorities but also strong support from Haiti’s international partners, starting with the United Nations. Political instability, deteriorating economic conditions, the very worrying state of the country’s public finances, food insecurity, problems with access to basic services and high levels of violence continue to be a source of concern. There is still a great deal to be done in order to build strong institutions and the legislative framework that is essential to entrenching the rule of law and fighting corruption and impunity. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti will therefore begin its mission in a difficult context, and sadly we fear that the extremely volatile situation is likely to deteriorate in the coming weeks and months, which the work of the new Office will have to fully take into account. It is a pity that the resolution adopted today does not consider the impact of climate change on Haiti’s situation and security. In this difficult context, France encourages Haiti’s political leaders to do everything possible to create the conditions for sustainable development in stability and to promote the national dialogue that the great majority of Haitians aspire to. France remains more than ever committed to supporting the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti in its future work.

Russia supported the adoption of resolution 2476 (2019), establishing the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s letter of 13 May (S/2019/387). We believe the resolution is an important step towards stabilizing the situation in the country. The United Nations has been supporting Port-au- Prince on the basis of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations for many years. The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti will continue that work for another four months. At the same time, the Government and the Haitian National Police will gradually gain greater independence. During the Council’s previous discussions on the situation in Haiti on 12 April (see S/PV.8510), and despite concerns about increased tensions on the eve of the elections, Council members agreed with the Secretary-General’s view that by October Haiti’s Government and police would be ready to take national ownership of the responsibility for ensuring the people’s security. We also hope that the accumulated experience and expertise passed on by international advisers will enable Haitians to overcome all the obstacles on their path to stability, although the initial stage after the withdrawal of the United Nations presence under Chapter VII will be absolutely crucial. That is why it is the task of the new special political mission to help to ensure the smoothest possible transition from a peacekeeping mission to a political one by supporting the efforts of the Government and the Haitian National Police to promote the rule of law and establish a national dialogue. We hope that the attention of the United Nations and the Security Council will enable Haitians to retain confidence in the support of the international community. In conclusion, I want to express our support to the people and the Government of Haiti. In October they will have the opportunity to take full and independent national ownership of their country’s destiny, stability and development. Russia will continue to work to ensure that the Security Council’s work results in a genuine normalization of the situation in Haiti and in the strengthening of its sovereignty and self-sufficiency.

As we have stated on previous occasions, the political, economic and social situation in Haiti remains fragile and requires multidimensional support on the part of the international community based on national priorities. The objective, as we understand it, must be political and institutional strengthening so as to ensure a stable, economically prosperous and inclusive Haiti, one that is resilient in the face of the continuing ravages of climate change and natural disasters. For months now, we have been taking part in the process of the discussion and subsequent negotiation of the terms of the mandate of the special political mission that is slated to replace the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) in Haiti. We had wished for more thoroughgoing and horizontal talks so as to ensure a robust, multidimensional mandate, especially now given the clear deterioration of conditions in Haiti and the frustration of the international community. The security situation in Haiti is fragile, not only because the institutional capacity to support the security apparatus is itself fragile, but also because social conditions do not allow for the momentum needed to set in motion a virtuous circle leading to development. We must also point out that the economic situation is daily becoming more complicated, which means that there is a deepening of the crisis and greater social instability and violence. At the regional level, the Organization of American States just concluded a visit to Haiti, as did the Economic and Social Council last month. The preliminary conclusions from both visits are dramatic and disheartening. A significant part of the international community has been calling for a comprehensive response to the situation in Haiti, and we join in that call. We believe that the political mission that is to replace MINUJUSTH must be strong, broad-based and adequately funded. The Secretary-General’s proposal was not specific enough in terms of the objectives, nor was it sufficiently broad to preserve stability over time and place Haiti back on the track to development. It is our view that if we are to respond to the challenges facing Haiti, an approach that is based exclusively on public security will not suffice. The Dominican Republic believes that the Haiti mission must focus also on other key aspects to ensure peace and stability. To be clear, it is our view that support for the Government is required in order to strengthen the political and electoral systems and the rule of law and help to create the conditions necessary for the Government to put in place policies aimed at tackling social inequality, governance and the adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters. As to the electoral system, we agree with the Secretary-General on the need to set up a permanent electoral council to organize and manage electoral processes. It must be independent and credible and be provided with an appropriate legal framework that will ensure, at the very least, reliable voter registration, international election observation and timely results. The proposed text of the draft resolution (S/2019/519) does not capture this idea or give any specific mandate concerning the institutional structure that should be created in support thereof. Turning to inequality and its link with public security, the Dominican Republic suggested that the special political mission should be directly involved in helping to build the necessary capacities within the Government so that it can coordinate economic and social development initiatives. We also deem this key to improving living standards in the most vulnerable areas as well as to enhancing peaceful coexistence in public spaces. This is without a doubt the way to address the root causes of the social problems that are leading to violence and social instability. The strengthening of national institutions, especially political ones, remains one of the major challenges to the stability and sustainable development of the Republic of Haiti. It is our understanding that the special political mission must play a key role in this area so as to promote continuity in public policies. Another key aspect for our delegation is Haiti’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. As all are aware, our country and the Republic of Haiti share the same ecosystem, Hispaniola. This puts us in a unique position to deal with this issue. Our island, a fragile ecosystem with limited resources, is highly vulnerable to climate change. There is no debating the fact that Haitian ecological conditions are truly precarious and represent a cause of displacement and suffering and a threat to stability and peace in the country. We understand that based on the principle of complementarity, this new mission, along with the United Nations country team in Haiti, could have begun its work by dealing with all of the aspects requiring urgent action. Our position in this debate has always been the same: promote a strong mission with broad scope and capacities and with sufficient financing. The mission should be able to truly bring peace and lasting stability to Haiti and genuinely reflect the solidarity of the international community with the people of Haiti. Experience and the complexity of the current situation leads us to conclude that this mandate will not be enough to achieve these objectives. We cannot but be disheartened at seeing that this opportunity to contribute actively to improving the future of Haiti and to show our genuine commitment to one of the communities that is suffering the most on our continent has been reduced to a mission with limited resources and functions.

I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

I welcome the adoption of resolution 2476 (2019), creating a United Nations special political mission, which will take over from the United Nations Mission for the Support of Justice in Haiti as of 16 October. This second transition within the space of two years is taking place in a national context that continues to be fragile. However, the creation of a United Nations mission other than a peacekeeping operation in Haiti is without a doubt a step in the right direction. It is also the option favoured by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Jovenel Moïse, during the strategic assessment conducted in January. The Republic of Haiti has been facing major difficulties for some time now, but the situation is not a threat to regional peace and security. The second preambular paragraph of the resolution — which is reprised in all Council resolutions on the situation in Haiti — will finally find its true meaning in the context of the special political mission. Like the people of Haiti themselves, the Security Council has always declared itself firmly committed to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Haiti. In spite of everything, the Haitian people remain deeply attached to the glorious moments of their history and to the noble ideals of the founding fathers of national independence. Having said that, I will limit myself to a few brief observations. First, the special political mission is in keeping with the parameters defined in the letter dated 13 May 2019 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2019/387). Secondly, I have taken note of the main responsibilities assigned to the special political mission. The mission’s work will focus more on strategic advice to the Haitian authorities in the areas set out in paragraph 1 of resolution 2476 (2019). Thirdly, the United Nations must strive, as part of this mission, to work concretely in the interests of all Haitians by promoting stability, justice, human rights, the rule of law, democracy and sustainable development. I remind Council members that a safe and stable environment cannot be built in a context of poverty, hunger, social inequality and, worst of all, difficulties in accessing financing for the implementation of essential reforms. In that regard, the United Nations should pursue its efforts to help the Haitian authorities take swift and decisive action to improve the living conditions of the entire Haitian population, including the most vulnerable groups. We would have liked to see a special political mission commensurate with the challenges facing our country, which include political difficulties requiring constructive, authentic and inclusive dialogue among all strata of Haitian society; social, economic and financial difficulties requiring the mobilization of adequate financial resources; threats to security in light of the increasing number of acts of violence, the spread of firearms and the proliferation of armed gangs; difficulties in reviving national production and food security, as there are still fears of food riots; humanitarian difficulties, including the fight against cholera; and environmental challenges, given the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change. I remain hopeful that the special political mission will have adequate financial means to be able to provide concrete assistance to the Haitian authorities in overcoming this multidimensional crisis. Only then will we be able to speak of the real impact of the United Nations presence on stability, security, strengthening institutions and sustainable development in Haiti. I strongly encourage all members of the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, specifically members of the latter’s Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, to engage in strategic discussions with a view to ensuring the United Nations presence in Haiti is integrated, balanced, respectful of national priorities and working in synergy with the three inextricably linked pillars of the Organization. I conclude by saying that the due implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will undoubtedly spearhead our efforts to achieve national security and stability.