UNSC Briefing on BINUH/Haiti

(Monday, 4 October 2021; 1000 hrs)

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Let me begin by congratulating Ireland for successfully Presiding over the Council in September. I extend my full support to Kenya for October. Let me thank SRSG Helen La Lime for her comprehensive briefing on the mandate implementation of UN Integrated Office in Haiti and the recent developments in the country. I also thank Ms. Emmanuela Douyon for her briefing I welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti H.E. Mr. Claude Joseph in our midst.

2. The reporting period was marked by two watershed events, the horrific assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July, and the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake and hurricane in August, impacting adversely the progress on benchmarks. These tragic events have compounded the challenges facing Haiti and slowed down the efforts towards a new Constitution and holding of long overdue elections. The interim administration led by Prime Minister Henry have huge tasks ahead, that includes restoration of functional democratic institutions, security and rule of law. Haiti’s regional partners, international community and UN need to continue supporting the Haitian authorities in this hour of need.

3. The interim administration has managed to engage political parties, opposition groups and civil society on socio-political challenges. Prime Minister Henry referred to these efforts in his address to the 76^th UNGA and reaffirmed the commitment to hold credible, transparent and inclusive elections at the earliest. The political agreement for peaceful and effective governance during the transition reached on 11 September between political parties and civil society organizations, including former opposition and ruling coalition groups, with the Prime Minister is a welcome development. We also welcome the measures to strengthen participation of women in the upcoming elections.

4. We hope that all Haitian stakeholders will continue engaging constructively to find inclusive solutions to the socio-political challenges, including drafting of the new Constitution. Decisions need to be taken by including all Haitian stakeholders, considering the political and security measures needed to ensure credible elections. Therefore, we call on all Parties to engage constructively and purposefully.

5. The improvement in security situation is fundamental to restoration of institutional order and to create enabling conditions for holding elections. In this regard, the transparent investigations and bringing to justice swiftly those involved in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise is of paramount importance. The Haitian authorities also need support from its partners including the UN in undertaking justice reforms and capacity building in the security and police sector, to fight the menace of gang violence.

6. On the socio-economic front, we welcome continued progress in the implementation of Peacebuilding Fund projects on community violence reduction and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, including capacity-building for the National Commission. We are also happy to note the recent roll-out of a community violence reduction project aiming to foster socioeconomic development in gang-affected areas in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of La Saline.

7. The recent earthquake and hurricane have caused immense damage to life and property. We note with concern the funding gap of more than US $ 150 million in the Humanitarian response plan and hope donor countries will positively respond. We also support efforts by the United Nations country team towards the creation of a disaster response geo-referenced database, thereby providing the country with detailed multi-risk maps and the capacities to update them.

8. Haiti may need support to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination of its population, as delays in vaccination would lead to expiry of the vaccines that have already arrived in Haiti. UN bodies should coordinate and assist Haitian authorities in their vaccination drive.

9. India has had long association with Haiti and its people. India was a major TCC to UN Peacekeeping Operation in Haiti and had contributed 3 Formed Police Units (FPUs) to MINUSTAH. India will continue to support the people of Haiti in these challenging times.

I thank You.

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