The security situation in Haiti remains a key concern for the United Kingdom. The impacts are devastating, especially for the most vulnerable.
OCHA data shows a rape occurs every two hours in Haiti. Of the victims, 15% are underage girls and 75% are those forced from their homes due to conflict. This is the brutal reality.
We pay tribute to Kenya for its continued leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission. The Council delivered increased security support to Haiti earlier this month and we thank the US and Panama for their leadership.
As a result, the MSS will be converted into a larger and better equipped Gang Suppression Force backed by a UN Support Office.
It is now time for the Transitional Presidential Council to step up and match the international community’s efforts. The Haitian authorities must work at pace to lay the necessary legislation to enable free and fair elections.
We call on all Haitian political actors to put their differences aside and to work together in good faith to improve governance in Haiti, particularly ahead of the 7 February deadline for elections. We welcome efforts by SRSG Ruiz Massieu to help unlock much needed progress.
The UK strongly condemns the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti. Over 90% of Port-au-Prince is under the control of gangs.
We remain committed to using UN sanctions to maintain pressure on those who seek to destabilise the country and welcome the adoption of further sanctions last week. However, this does not go far enough. It is important that future sanctions target the political and economic supporters who prop up these gangs.
Children continue to bear the brunt of violence in Haiti. Armed gangs are systematically recruiting minors, fuelling a surge in exploitation, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. These atrocities spread fear and inflict lasting trauma on Haiti’s young people.
Actions to address security should include efforts to disarm, demobilise, and reintegrate children and we encourage BINUH to continue working with the Haitian authorities on this.
Stability and lasting peace can only be achieved if the efforts of the international community are matched with decisive political action by all Haitian stakeholders, which focuses on the needs of the Haitian people, who have already suffered for far too long.