UN Security Council expresses concern over deteriorating situation in Haiti, offers no short-term solutions

The UN Security Council has expressed concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Haiti due to escalating violence and political instability. The Council has also addressed the repeated call by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to send an international force to the country, but no concrete measures have been taken in the short term.

The Security Council, currently chaired by Swiss diplomat Pascale Christine Baeriswyl, stated that they are deeply concerned about the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti. They also condemned the increase in violence, criminal activities, abuses, and violations of human rights that are undermining peace, stability, and security in the country and the region.

Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, violence in Haiti has escalated, with kidnappings, sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, homicides, extrajudicial executions, and recruitment of children by armed groups and criminal networks becoming commonplace. The Security Council has called for those responsible for these crimes to be brought to justice.

The political situation in Haiti is also a concern, as the country has not held an election since 2016, raising questions about the legitimacy of many officials, including Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was appointed just 48 hours before Moïse’s assassination. However, experts believe that the current situation in Haiti does not allow for the organization of a safe electoral process.

The Security Council has called on all political actors to participate constructively in meaningful negotiations that allow for the holding of inclusive, free, fair, legislative, and presidential elections as soon as the necessary conditions are met. The UN has offered its support to an international force that helps the Haitian national police fight violence, but it has insisted that this force be led by one or several nations. Almost seven months later, the countries have not agreed on how to respond to Henry’s request.