S/PRST/2005/1: Statement by the President of the Security Council on Haiti

S/PRST/2005/1 United Nations Security Council Distr.: General 12 January 2005 Original: English Statement by the President of the Security Council At the 5110th meeting of the Security Council, held on 12 January 2005, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The question concerning Haiti”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council reaffirms the comprehensive mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as set forth in resolutions 1542 (2004) and 1576 (2004), and expresses its support for United Nations presence in Haiti as long as necessary. “The Security Council underlines that national reconciliation, security and economic development remain key to stability in Haiti, and, in that regard, stresses that all Member States and international organizations, especially those in the region, should support the Transitional Government of Haiti in those efforts. “The Security Council underlines the important role of MINUSTAH in ensuring a secure environment and commends the recent joint operations by MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police (HNP), in particular against all illegal armed groups. It notes however that further urgent action is needed to continue to improve the security situation. The Council again calls on all parties in Haiti to respect human rights and to renounce the use of violence to advance their goals. “The Security Council encourages the Transitional Government to create without delay the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR), to address all armed groups, particularly former members of the military, in a comprehensive manner. It notes that any compensation should be part of a comprehensive and durable solution. “The Security Council renews its appeal for the prompt disbursement of the funds pledged by international financial institutions and donor countries at the International Donors Conference on Haiti held in July 2004. It recognizes the need for MINUSTAH, other organs of the UN system, international financial institutions, and Member States to assist the Transitional Government in the preparation and implementation of development projects in Haiti, as well as quick-impact projects. The Council reiterates the need to assist the Transitional Government in establishing a long-term development strategy for 05-20703 (E) 120105 *0520703* S/PRST/2005/1 Haiti, in accordance with the priorities set forth in the Interim Cooperation Framework. “The Security Council welcomes recent steps taken by the Transitional Government of Haiti to release some individuals being held without formal charge or trial, and calls on the Transitional Government to review all such cases in order to ensure full respect for due process and the rule of law. In this regard, the Council calls on MINUSTAH to continue its support for the provision of human rights training to Haitian judicial, police and correctional authorities to ensure adherence to international norms and standards. “The Security Council encourages the Transitional Government to continue to take steps towards a comprehensive and inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation process and calls upon all political actors in Haiti to renounce violence and join this dialogue without delay. The Council fully supports MINUSTAH’s continuing facilitation of this process. “The Security Council calls upon the Transitional Government, with the assistance of MINUSTAH and the Organization of American States (OAS), to take urgently the necessary measures to ensure the holding of free and fair elections in 2005 and the subsequent transfer of power to elected authorities, and welcomes the recent decisions of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) in its preparations. It encourages all political parties that have rejected violence to participate in the electoral process. “The Security Council expresses its intention to organize a mission to Haiti before 1 June 2005, possibly in conjunction with a mission of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. “The Security Council expresses its gratitude to the countries that have contributed personnel to the Mission. It urges troop and police contributing countries to complete the authorized strength of MINUSTAH as soon as possible, stressing that prompt completion of this step is an essential requirement for the continuing success of the operation. “The Security Council expresses its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Juan Gabriel Valdés, and commends the work done by MINUSTAH and all of its personnel.” 2