Briefing on the situation in Haiti
The following is an excerpt from Emmanuela Douyon’s briefing on Haiti to the United Nations Security Council on October 4, 2021
Haiti faces a multifaceted crisis characterized by a deteriorating security situation, human rights violations: including an increase in women’s rights violations. More than 162 armed groups operate in the country and control significant portions of the national territory. Kidnappings occur daily, and gangs carry out massacres of civilians in marginalized areas of Port-au-Prince like La Saline with impunity.
The ongoing political crisis is deepening. Currently, there is no president following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise in July. An acting prime minister with little to no popular legitimacy is ruling alone. The parliament has been non-functional since 2020. No new officials have been elected because of the failure to organize elections since 2016, and there are only 10 elected officials in the entire country. The judiciary is effectively nonfunctional. Courts operate only 3 to 4 months a year.
Three consecutive years of negative economic growth has brought the Haitian economy to its knees. The country cannot respond to any man-made or natural disaster, hence the humanitarian crisis facing thousands of people who have been internally displaced due to gang activity and victims of the recent earthquake.
There is no legal provision applicable to regulate the current political situation. Political actors are engaged in a fight for power, increasing difficulty in reaching a consensus.
Against this backdrop, I would like to share some recommendations that I believe reflect the aspiration of the majority of the Haitian People, including pertaining to the mandate and work of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
I. Recommendations /Aspiration of the Haitian People The United nation has a long history with Haiti, and it should continue. The UN’s plans to support Haiti needs to be better aligned to the Haitian people’s
shared interest and vision for Haiti. No entity must try to interfere when trying to help, and trust should be at the center of the cooperation.
Governance:
Elections have always been the prescribed solution to all past political crises in Haiti. We can all acknowledge the pivotal role of election in a democracy, but elections only help democracy if they are free, fair, and participatory. Today, the conditions for fair elections do not exist in Haiti due to the levels of insecurity and gang violence we are witnessing. It is equally unlikely that the conditions will exist in February 2022, the new date announced by acting Prime Minister Henry. Elections should occur when they can be fair, not be imposed on arbitrary timelines that are not related to the situation on the ground. The proposed constitutional referendum should also be abandoned. It is highly controversial and will only divide the country further.
As Haiti faces an inevitable period of transition, we need an inclusive consensus-based process that lays the foundation for a stronger democracy. To seize this opportunity, the UN and Security Council members should dare to break with their traditional ways of intervening in Haiti. For too long, the international community has prioritized short-term stability over real democracy. Today, in Haiti, we are living the consequences.
Going forward, support should be provided to Haitian-led initiatives to create conditions for free, fair, inclusive elections and signal a rupture with the terrible governance habit of the past. Over the past six months, a cross-sector of civil society has come together through the Commission for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis and has forged consensus around a transition plan. This inclusive effort, which has been joined by over 500 civil society groups and over 50 political parties, deserves support. The end goal is to ensure a return to constitutional order and the rule of law.
Security:
Insecurity has characterized daily life in Port-au-Prince for months.
Haiti needs to restore peace, dismantle the gangs, guarantee protection for all Haitian citizens, but the security council should abstain from sending troops or peace missions. The international community should focus on strengthening the police and its units to fulfill its role.
Justice reform:
The judiciary system needs support and resources to increase its capacity, including to prosecute financial crime and assassinations. The UN should
work with the judiciary system to send a clear signal of an end to impunity and a real fight against corruption. Member states to which money is illicitly transferred should also do more to block these flows and bring those responsible for corruption to justice.
Development Assistance
To address our humanitarian crisis, Haiti needs adequate international funding, not crumbs of humanitarian aid that act only as a bandaid. Funding needs to be directed to qualified and capable local civil society groups, this will help ensure less waste and more accountability in aid. We also need projects with the potential to transform sectors, not piecemeal efforts and new pilot projects.
Stability
Finally, BINUH must do more to work with civil society. Unfortunately, under its current leadership, there has been too much tension and polarization between civil society and BINUH because the mission is seen as picking political winners. This can only harm the work of BINUH on the ground.
BINUH should work with civil society to promote dialogue, reforms, accountability, and reducing gang violence.
Today Haiti faces its most challenging period in decades. But it is also a chance to break with the old dysfunctional systems of governance, corruption, and impunity. There have been few occasions when the opportunities to start anew and build a stronger Haiti are as evident and as necessary as today. I hope that the United Nations will work with the Haitian people as we struggle to achieve a better future. The changes that we want to see include changes in the approaches of our partners, and we need your solidarity.
