SC/8956
Security Council
5631st Meeting (AM)
The Security Council this morning decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which was set to expire today, until 15 October, with the intention to renew for further periods.
Unanimously adopting draft resolution 1743 (2007) and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council requested that MINUSTAH continue the increased operations in support of the Haitian National Police against armed gangs, notably in Port-au-Prince. It also reaffirmed MINUSTAH's mandate to provide operational support to the Haitian coast guard.
By the terms of the resolution, the Council called upon the Mission to support the constitutional and political process under way in Haiti and to promote all-inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation. It requested the Mission to continue to implement quick-impact projects and, in that context, to accelerate its reorientation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration resources towards a comprehensive community violence reduction programme.
The Council deplored and condemned in the strongest terms any attack against personnel from MINUSTAH, demanding that no acts of violence or intimidation be directed against United Nations and associated personnel and other international and humanitarian organizations. The Council also condemned strongly the grave violations against children affected by armed violence, as well as widespread rape and other sexual abuse of girls.
After adoption of the resolution, China's representative said MINUSTAH's central task for the upcoming phase was to assist Haiti in its transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. With the needs for security and safety largely met, the Haitian people had a growing demand for improved living conditions, a revitalized reconciliation process, economic development, social justice and the rule of law. For those reasons, China had proposed, among other things, to extend the mandate for six months, and had requested the Secretary-general to conduct an assessment on the changed situation and security risk in Haiti, so that the Council could formulate a viable long-term strategy before deciding the next extension of the Mission's mandate.
He said MINUSTAH's recent military operations against armed gangs, while necessary, was not a long-term strategy. In the coming months, it should yield more to a political process for solving long-term problems. In resolution 1608 (2005), the Council had temporarily increased the Mission's military and police component for the elections and had requested a progressive drawdown strategy for the post-election period. With the conclusion of the electoral cycle, the timely implementation of that provision would enhance the effectiveness of the limited resources of the United Nations. The text failed to reflect certain important elements proposed by China, leaving it not as balanced and sufficient as expected. To facilitate consensus, China had agreed to put aside some pending issues, but hoped that they would be addressed before the Council returned to the issue.
Panama's representative welcomed the adoption of the resolution as an important contribution to progress in the pacification and development of Haiti, but regretted that the mandate was only extended for eight months, while the Secretary-General, the Group of Friends of Haiti and the Haitian Government had hoped for 12 months. Haiti would need the support of the United Nations and the countries in the region not just for 12 months, but far beyond. He trusted the Government's actions would allow the Council to change the shape of the Mission, including through reducing the military and increasing the police, and reducing security and adding more to institution-building. He also hoped that the Peacebuilding Commission would help Haiti in its development.
See Press Release SC/8811 of 15 August 2006 for coverage of the last meeting on the situation concerning Haiti.
The meeting started at 11:35 a.m. and adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1743 (2007) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particular its resolutions 1702 (2006), 1658 (2006), 1608 (2005), 1576 (2004) and 1542 (2004), as well as relevant statements by its President,
"Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti,
"Welcoming the progress achieved in Haiti's political process, including through the successful holding of national, municipal and local elections in 2006 and reiterating its appeal to the Government of Haiti and all Haitians to continue to pursue all-inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation in order to strengthen democratic governance,
"Recognizing the interconnected nature of the challenges in Haiti, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, rule of law and institutional reform, national reconciliation, and development are mutually reinforcing, and welcoming the continuing efforts of the Haitian Government and the international community to address these challenges,
"Recognizing that respect for human rights, due process and addressing the issue of criminality and credible, competent, and transparent governance are essential to ensuring security in Haiti,
"Expressing its appreciation to MINUSTAH, a key actor in the ongoing stabilization of the country, for continuing to assist the Government of Haiti to ensure a secure and stable environment, and welcoming the close collaboration that has developed in this regard,
"Emphasizing the role of the regional organizations in the ongoing process of stabilization and reconstruction of Haiti and calling on MINUSTAH to continue to work closely with the Organization of the American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
"Emphasizing that a combination of measures are necessary to effectively disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate gang members and encouraging the Government of Haiti in coordination with the international community, to accelerate efforts towards this end,
"Calling on the Haitian Government, in coordination with the international community, to maintain momentum behind security sector reform, in particular the Haitian National Police (HNP) Reform Plan, as well as efforts to reform the judiciary and correctional systems, including by addressing prolonged pretrial detentions and prison overcrowding, and by putting an end to impunity,
"Encouraging the development by the Haitian authorities, with the support of donors and regional organizations, of permanent and effective electoral institutions,
"Urging the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the international community, to establish a unified justice sector reform strategy encompassing merging of resources and joint planning,
"Underlining the need for the quick implementation of highly effective and visible labour-intensive projects that help create jobs and deliver basic social services, and emphasizing the importance of quick-impact projects in the post-electoral phase,
"Acknowledging the laudable work done by Haitian authorities and MINUSTAH to respond to the needs of disaster-affected people and welcoming future coordinated actions in this regard,
"Expressing gratitude to the troops and police personnel of MINUSTAH and to their countries and paying tribute to those injured or killed in the line of duty,
"Stressing that the Haitian people and their Government hold primary responsibility for achieving stability, social and economic development, and law and order in their country, and recognizing the commitment of the Government of Haiti to its people and to international partners,
"Determining that the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, despite the progress achieved thus far,
"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, as described in section 1 of operative paragraph 7 of resolution 1542 (2004),
"1. Decides to extend the mandate of MINUSTAH as contained in its resolutions 1542 (2004), 1608 (2005) and 1702 (2006) until 15 October 2007 with the intention to renew for further periods;
"2. Welcomes the Secretary-General's report S/2006/1003 of 19 December 2006, and takes note of its recommendations;
"3. Expresses its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, notably in his efforts to improve the security situation in close cooperation with the Government of Haiti, and reaffirms his authority in the coordination and conduct of all activities of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in Haiti;
"4. Recognizes the ownership and primary responsibility of the Government of Haiti over all aspects of the country's stabilization and good governance and recognizes the role of MINUSTAH in supporting the Government's efforts in this regard, and encourages the Government of Haiti to continue to take full advantage of international support to enhance its capacity;
"5. Reaffirms its call upon MINUSTAH to support the constitutional and political process under way in Haiti, including through its good offices and, in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, to promote all-inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation;
"6. Welcomes the continuing contribution by MINUSTAH to capacity- and institution-building at all levels, and calls upon MINUSTAH, consistent with its mandate, to expand such support to strengthen State institutions, especially outside Port-au-Prince, including through the provision of specialized expertise to key ministries;
"7. Requests that MINUSTAH continue the increased tempo of operations in support of the HNP against armed gangs as deemed necessary to restore security, notably in Port-au-Prince, and encourages MINUSTAH and the Government of Haiti to undertake coordinated deterrent actions to decrease the level of violence;
"8. Requests also the United Nations country team and calls upon the humanitarian and development actors, to complement security operations undertaken by the Government of Haiti with the support of MINUSTAH with activities aimed at effectively improving the living conditions of the concerned populations;
"9. Requests MINUSTAH to continue to implement quick-impact projects;
"10. Requests, in this context, MINUSTAH to accelerate efforts to reorient its disarmament, demobilization and reintegration resources towards a comprehensive community violence reduction programme as decided in resolution 1702 (2006), in close coordination with the Government of Haiti and other relevant actors;
"11. Deplores and condemns in the strongest terms any attack against personnel from MINUSTAH and demands that no acts of intimidation or violence be directed against United Nations and associated personnel and other international and humanitarian organizations engaged in humanitarian, development or peacekeeping work;
"12. Reaffirms MINUSTAH's mandate to provide operational support to the Haitian coast guard, and invites Member States, in coordination with MINUSTAH, to engage with the Government of Haiti to address cross-border illicit trafficking of drugs and arms, and other illegal activities;
"13. Welcomes progress in the implementation of the HNP Reform Plan and requests MINUSTAH to remain engaged in assisting the Government of Haiti to reform and restructure the HNP, consistent with its mandate, including by increasing momentum behind the monitoring, mentoring, training, vetting of all police personnel and the strengthening of institutional capacities;
"14. Requests MINUSTAH to provide necessary support for the Haitian authorities' efforts to reform the key elements of justice and the corrections sectors, closely synchronized with the plan for the reform and restructuring of the HNP, consistent with its mandate under resolution 1542 (2004) and as further decided in resolution 1702 (2006), and encourages the Government of Haiti to take full advantage of that support;
"15. Reaffirms MINUSTAH's human rights mandate and calls on the Haitian authorities to continue their efforts to promote and protect human rights;
"16. Welcomes MINUSTAH's policy to promote and protect the rights of women and to take into account gender considerations as set out in Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and keep the Council informed;
"17. Strongly condemns the grave violations against children affected by armed violence, as well as widespread rape and other sexual abuse of girls;
"18. Underlines the importance of continued assistance to help address the basic needs of Haiti's population and in that regard takes notes with appreciation of the Joint Communiqué of the International Conference for the Economic and Social Development for Haiti held in Madrid, Spain, on 30 November 2006, and encourages donors to accelerate the disbursement of their pledges as a contribution to development and stability in Haiti;
"19. Calls on MINUSTAH to continue its efforts to enhance its coordination with the United Nations country team and the various development actors in Haiti in order to ensure greater efficiency in development efforts and to address urgent development problems;
"20. Calls on the United Nations system and the international community, in particular donor countries, in cooperation with the Haitian authorities, to devise and support a renewed aid coordination system, which would focus on immediate needs as well as on long-term reconstruction and poverty reduction;
"21. Requests MINUSTAH to maintain a proactive communications and public outreach strategy to improve public understanding of the mandate and the role of MINUSTAH in Haiti;
"22. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all MINUSTAH personnel with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed;
"23. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the implementation of MINUSTAH's mandate semi-annually but not later than 45 days prior to its expiration, and to include in his report a comprehensive assessment of the security risks, challenges and priorities facing Haiti, including specific recommendations on how to accelerate the peacebuilding process, build institutional capacity in the security and justice sectors, and achieve disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration in Haiti;
"24. Decides to remain seized of the matter."
Background
The Council had before it the Secretary-General's report on MINUSTAH (document S/2006/1003), in which he observed that the primary responsibility for ensuring progress remained with the Haitian leadership and people. The Mission's continued deployment would be essential, however, since destabilizing forces continued to use violence and continued engagement of the Mission's military and police would remain crucial at a time when Haiti's own security capacity was still at an early stage of development. Any reductions in the international security presence should be linked to proportionate increases in the ability of Haitian institutions.
The Secretary-General noted that, with the completion of the electoral cycle, MINUSTAH had been supporting the new Government in establishing strong and sustainable State institutions for governance and the rule of law. The Mission was also supporting the enhancement of human rights capacity and coordinating development and humanitarian activities.
In his report, the Secretary-General observed that the priorities had been shaped in consideration of Haitian needs and focused on those areas most closely linked to stability, where the Mission could make a key contribution in the initial phases of a longer-term process. However, the work has only begun and continued involvement by the Mission would be required. He recommended, therefore, a mandate extension for a further 12-month period, with the Mission's present authorized troop and police ceilings.
It should be borne in mind, the Secretary-General stated, that MINUSTAH could respond only to Haiti's most immediate needs. Sustained bilateral assistance would be indispensable to further reinforce and strengthen democratic structures of governance and rule of law. The rate of disbursement of international aid appeared to fall far short of what was required. Delays in programmatic funding for capacity-building and institutional support might pose a serious challenge to stability. Tangible improvements in the socio-economic conditions of the general population, including through job creation, was essential to forestall an increase in popular discontent that could unravel all that has been accomplished thus far.
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