SECURITY COUNCIL COMMENDS UN MISSION IN HAITI ON PROGRESS MADE AND HAITIAN GOVERNMENT FOR PEACEFUL HOLDING OF LOCAL AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
Press Release
SC/6126
SECURITY COUNCIL COMMENDS UN MISSION IN HAITI ON PROGRESS MADE AND HAITIAN GOVERNMENT FOR PEACEFUL HOLDING OF LOCAL AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
19951116 Expresses Concern, However, over Recent Violent Incidents, Calls for Respect of Rule of Law, National Reconciliation and CooperationThe Security Council this afternoon commended the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) on substantial progress made towards fulfilling its mandate. It commended the Government of Haiti for holding local and legislative elections in a peaceful environment. It voiced concern, however, over recent instances of violence in the country, and called for respect for the rule of law, national reconciliation and cooperation.
In a statement read out by its President, Salim Bin Mohammed Al-Khussaiby (Oman), the Council emphasized that the continued engagement and participation of all Haitian parties was necessary to the successful organization of free, fair and peaceful presidential elections. The Council expressed satisfaction at the role of UNMIH and the joint United Nations/Organization of American States (OAS) International Civilian Mission (MICIVIH) in assisting the Haitian authorities with the electoral process. And it welcomed the announcement of presidential elections scheduled for 17 December 1995, which should allow a transition of power to a duly elected successor before the scheduled termination of UNMIH's mandate, on 29 February 1996. The Council said that holding presidential elections on schedule was a crucial step in consolidating long-lasting democracy in Haiti and ensuring a smooth transition of government.
The Council called on all political parties in Haiti to participate in the forthcoming elections and contribute to the maintenance of the secure and stable conditions necessary for their conduct. It said that the Government and people of Haiti bore primary responsibility for Haiti's political, economic and social reconstruction. Emphasizing that sustained commitment by the international community was indispensable for long-term peace and stability, it encouraged the Haitian Government to continue its dialogue with the international financial institutions.
The Council shared the Secretary-General's view that establishment of a professional police force capable of maintaining law and order throughout the country was central to long-term stability. It said that as the end of UNMIH's mandate drew near, attention should focus on selection and training of Haitian National Police supervisors and on the provision of necessary equipment to the Haitian police. Noting the useful role played by the OAS and the valuable cooperation with Haiti of interested Member States, the Council stressed the importance of continuing such cooperation.
The meeting, which was called to order at 12 p.m., was adjourned at 12:14 p.m.
The full text of the presidential statement, which will be released as document S/PRST/1995/55, reads as follows:
"The Security Council welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 6 November 1995 on the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) (S/1995/922), issued pursuant to resolution 1007 (1995).
"The Security Council commends UNMIH on the substantial progress it has made towards fulfilling its mandate, as set out in resolution 940 (1994), to assist the Government of Haiti in sustaining a secure and stable environment, protecting international personnel and key installations, establishing the conditions for holding elections and creating a new professional police force. The Council commends the Secretary-General, his Special Representative, and other dedicated personnel of the United Nations who have contributed to this effort.
"The Security Council also commends the Government of Haiti for holding local and legislative elections in a peaceful and non-violent environment, and notes the recent convocation of the special session of the National Assembly and its approval of the new cabinet and plan of government. The Council notes with satisfaction the role of UNMIH and the Joint United Nations/Organization of American States (OAS) International Civilian Mission (MICIVIH) in assisting the Haitian authorities with the electoral process.
"The Security Council emphasizes that the continued engagement and commitment of all Haitian parties is necessary to the successful organization of free, fair and peaceful presidential elections. Consistent with the objectives of Security Council resolutions 940 (1994) and 1007 (1995), the Council welcomes the announcement by the Provisional Electoral Council of presidential elections scheduled for 17 December 1995 that should allow a transition of power to a duly elected successor before UNMIH's scheduled termination on 29 February 1996. The holding of presidential elections on schedule is a crucial step in consolidating long-lasting democracy in Haiti
Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6126 3594th Meeting (PM) 16 November 1995
and ensuring a smooth transition of government. The Council calls on all political parties in Haiti to participate in the forthcoming elections, and to contribute actively to maintain the secure and stable conditions necessary for their conduct.
"The Security Council notes with concern recent instances of violence in Haiti and calls for respect for the rule of law, national reconciliation and cooperation.
"The Government and people of Haiti bear the primary responsibility for Haiti's political, economic and social reconstruction. The Security Council underlines its firm support for the progress Haiti has already made in this regard. The Council emphasizes that a sustained commitment by the international community is indispensable for long-term peace and stability in Haiti. In this regard, the Council encourages the Haitian Government to continue its dialogue with the international financial institutions.
"The Security Council shares the view of the Secretary-General that the establishment of a professional police force capable of maintaining law and order throughout the country is central to Haiti's long-term stability. As the end of UNMIH's mandate approaches, attention should be focused on the selection and training of the Haitian National Police supervisors and on interested Member States providing the police force with the necessary equipment.
"The Security Council also supports the efforts of the Secretary-General to streamline UNMIH, including the CIVPOL component.
"The Security Council expresses its confidence that the special representative of the Secretary-General, UNMIH and the United Nations/OAS MICIVIH will continue to assist the Government and people of Haiti. It notes in particular the useful role played by the OAS and the valuable cooperation with Haiti of interested Member States on a bilateral basis, and stresses the importance of continuing such cooperation. The Council requests that the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Friends of Haiti and the Haitian authorities, report to the Council, at the appropriate time, on next steps in the areas of security, law enforcement and humanitarian assistance, including by United Nations specialized agencies and programmes, which the international community may take to help Haiti achieve a long-term future that is secure, stable and free."
Report of Secretary-General
Before the Security Council in its consideration of the situation in Haiti was the report of the Secretary-General (document S/1995/922) on UNMIH. The Council had requested the report for the mid-term of the Mission's mandate, which expires on 29 February 1996.
Security Council - 4 - Press Release SC/6126 3594th Meeting (PM) 16 November 1995
In his introduction to the report, the Secretary-General states that during his visit to Haiti on 14 and 15 October he had discussed the situation of the country and its needs after February 1966 with President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The Haitian President had praised the excellent cooperation between the Haitian authorities and UNMIH.
The report reviews UNMIH's current troop and police levels and its range of operations. It outlines the political and security situation in Haiti as it has evolved since the Secretary-General's last report (document S/1995/614) of 24 July, as well as progress in establishing a national police and public security force.
Although some murders and commando-style assassinations of former members of the Haitian Armed Forces had occurred, the report notes, there had been no widespread political violence during the recent round of elections. The mass appeal of the President and the "robust presence of UNMIH" had provided a strong deterrent to undemocratic action by disgruntled elements, including former members of the Haitian Armed Forces.
On the question of elections in Haiti, the Secretary-General states that following "considerable criticism" of the handling of the 25 June elections there, his Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, had encouraged the resumption of a dialogue between all parties involved in a renewed attempt to promote broad participation in the forthcoming elections. However, although a series of discussions had taken place, a solution could not be found.
The report goes on to say that to ensure that the remainder of the electoral process not be marred by the inefficiencies and irregularities observed during the 25 June elections, UNMIH, the International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH) and the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) had cooperated closely with Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council in organizing the remaining municipal and legislative elections.
At those elections, which took place on 13 August and 17 September, thorough preparation and increased security allowed EOM to conclude that there was perceptible improvement in organization of the elections, although voter turnout was low. The polls had resulted in a clear victory for the Lavalas platform, thus increasing differences between the winning Lavalas party and virtually all traditional political parties, including those that had worked for the return of President Aristide. Having boycotted the second round of the legislative elections, those parties continued to question the results.
The report also surveys progress made in training and retraining of judicial personnel, the appointment of personnel for the recently created National Penitentiary Administration, some 420 of whose members had undergone initial two-week training with assistance from the United Nations Development
Security Council - 5 - Press Release SC/6126 3594th Meeting (PM) 16 November 1995
Programme (UNDP) and UNMIH. The report further notes that the mandate of the National Commission for Truth and Justice -- which is collecting testimonies on human rights violations committed during the de facto regime -- had been extended for a further three months to 31 December. To date there were over 5,000 complaints of human rights abuses committed in the past.
In an overview of development activities in Haiti -- carried out by the Bretton Woods institutions and other United Nations bodies -- such as UNDP, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United Children's Fund (UNICEF) (in cooperation with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO)) -- the report notes that despite progress in many areas the Government continued to face serious challenges. Although employment in the third quarter of the year had increased faster than in the previous two quarters, unemployment and underemployment remained high. While private investment had increased since mid-year, that increase was still insufficient to give decisive impetus to the economy.
In a note on administrative and financial aspects, the Secretary-General recalls that the General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) had recommended acceptance of the budget proposals contained in his report (document A/50/363) on the financing of UNMIH. The total cost for maintaining UNMIH, including amounts previously authorized by the Assembly, would amount to $152,011,500 for the period from 1 August to 29 February 1996. Unpaid assessed contributions to the Special Account for UNMIH for the seven months since the inception of the Mission to 31 August 1995 amounted to $33,778,057. (Total unpaid assessed contributions for all United Nations peace-keeping operations amounted to $2.2 billion.)
In conclusion, the report states that in the seven months since UNMIH took over from the multinational force, it had made substantial progress towards fulfilling its mandate. Legislative and local elections had been carried out in an environment free of fear, violence and intimidation, and it was reasonable to presume that UNMIH would be able to ensure a similar climate during presidential elections expected to be held in December or January 1966.
With the approaching end of UNMIH's mandate, establishment of a professional police force capable of maintaining law and order country-wide assumes increased urgency, according to the report. Although 5,000 policemen would formally have completed training by February 1996, most would have limited experience. Attention should focus on training National Police supervisors and on providing necessary equipment. The Secretary-General reiterated his appeal to Member States to give immediate and serious consideration to contributing to the voluntary fund established to support creation of an adequate police force in Haiti.
Security Council - 6 - Press Release SC/6126 3594th Meeting (PM) 16 November 1995
With the conclusion of local and legislative elections, the new Parliament had been constituted and had opened its special session on 18 October. However, election of its members continued to be contested by the leaders of many political parties. With the rapid approach of presidential elections, it was essential that all political forces in the country cooperate to enable the Haitian people to participate in building their country's new democracy.
* *** *