Next OAS meeting will address strengthening the Haitian Police and border points

Santo Domingo.- The Organization of American States (OAS) is currently developing a draft resolution on security and humanitarian assistance in Haiti. The goal is to seek approval for the resolution at the upcoming regular session of the OAS, scheduled to take place from June 21 to 23 in Washington, D.C.

The draft resolution emphasizes the intention to enhance border and port security capabilities in Haiti, as well as to strengthen the institutional capacity and operational effectiveness of the Haitian National Police through equipment provision from contributions made via the United Nations Collective Fund.

One of the key objectives outlined in the document is to combat the illicit trafficking of firearms, as it contributes to increased crime rates, gang control, and kidnappings in Haiti.

The Permanent Council of the OAS discussed and agreed upon the content of the draft resolution during its regular meeting on June 16. The text has been forwarded to the General Assembly Plenary for further consideration.

Titled “Immediate facilitation of security and humanitarian assistance and support for the protection of human rights and the strengthening of democracy in Haiti,” the project urges OAS member states, capable of doing so, to prioritize, integrate, facilitate, and provide immediate assistance and dedicated funds to Haiti in matters related to security and other areas.

The OAS will also call upon member states and observers, taking advantage of consultations facilitated by the Thematic Group on Humanitarian Assistance of the Working Group for Haiti, to align and integrate their commitments and contributions with those of international partners involved in providing humanitarian assistance.

The document highlights the invitation to member states and permanent observers to contribute dedicated funds for human rights, electoral assistance, and democracy strengthening in Haiti. These funds will support the immediate implementation of activities identified by the Working Group for Haiti with the technical assistance of the Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity and the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy.

The OAS consists of member countries such as Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.

For the Dominican Republic, the upcoming assembly comes after a crisis sparked by the announcement of Canadian intentions to establish an office or coordination center in the country for managing and coordinating assistance to the Haitian National Police. This situation led to a firm denial from the Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and the Presidency spokesperson Homero Figueroa. Subsequently, the Canadian Foreign Ministry issued a statement to the Reuters news agency, stating that they would be exploring alternative locations in the region for the installation of the said office.