Statement by the President of the Security Council on Haiti, S/PRST/2011/7

United Nations S/PRST/2011/7 Security Council Distr.: General 6 April 2011 Original: English Statement by the President of the Security Council At the 6510th meeting of the Security Council, held on 6 April 2011, 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 its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti, and emphasizes that the Government and people of Haiti bear the primary responsibility for the attainment of peace and stability, and for the recovery efforts in Haiti. The Council acknowledges the contribution the international community is making to support the stabilization process in Haiti, including the strengthening of its legislative, judicial and executive institutions. “The Security Council recognizes the interconnected nature of the challenges in Haiti, and reaffirms that sustainable progress on security, institutional capacity building, including rule of law, as well as consolidation of national government structures, democracy, promotion and protection of human rights and development, are mutually reinforcing. The Council appreciates the efforts made by the Haitian Government and the international community to address these challenges. “The Security Council welcomes the ongoing electoral process in Haiti and stresses the importance of its completion in a peaceful, credible and legitimate way, which will contribute to the consolidation of democracy, allow for the completion of constitutional reform and provide a strong basis for the continuing reconstruction efforts. The Council recognizes the important contribution of MINUSTAH and the OAS and other international, regional and sub-regional organizations in supporting the political process. “The Security Council underlines that security and development are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and reiterates the need for security to be accompanied by social and economic development. In this context, the Security Council acknowledges that rapid and tangible progress in the recovery and reconstruction of Haiti is fundamental to achieving lasting stability. “The Security Council recognizes the various challenges in Haiti and stresses MINUSTAH’s fundamental role in supporting the Haitian authorities in creating a secure and stable environment conducive to economic recovery 11-29061 (E) 060411 *1129061* S/PRST/2011/7 including by implementing labour intensive projects, and the provision of basic services in Haiti. “The Security Council expresses its concern at the situation of vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, children as victims of trafficking, and the increase of sexual and gender-based violence. In this regard, the Security Council encourages MINUSTAH and the United Nations Country Team to continue assisting the Government of Haiti in providing adequate protection to the civilian population, with particular attention to the needs of internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups, especially women and children. “The Security Council stresses that there can be no genuine stability or sustainable development in Haiti without strengthening its democratic institutions. In this regard the Council emphasizes the importance of promoting the rule of law in strengthening the Haitian institutions. The Council further reaffirms the responsibility of MINUSTAH in supporting the Haitian State in the fields of rule of law, good governance, extension of State authority and the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with its mandate. “The Security Council stresses the crucial importance of strengthening the Haitian National Police to ensure its ability to maintain law and order and to tackle violent crime, particularly sexual and gender-based violence, as well as gang violence and transnational organized crime. In this regard, the Council welcomes the continued support of the United Nations and the international community to the Haitian authorities and calls for MINUSTAH continued support in the vetting, mentoring and training of the Haitian National Police and corrections personnel and intensification of cooperation to face this challenge, including assistance in counter-narcotic efforts and training in human rights. “The Security Council recognizes Haiti’s long-term recovery challenge and calls upon the international community to continue to support Haitian authorities in order to ensure that, the most vulnerable segments of the population have access to basic social services and justice. “The Security Council acknowledges the efforts of the donor community and calls upon them to fulfil without delay all pledges, including those made at the International Donors’ Conference “Towards a New Future for Haiti” held on 31 March 2010. The Council welcomes the work of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission in focusing donor efforts on the top priority areas for recovery, and encourages all reconstruction donors, nongovernmental and international organizations to continue to channel their efforts through the Commission. “The Council reiterates the need for Member States and other stakeholders to continue to support the Haitian authorities in strengthening Haiti’s core governance structures, implementing the Government of Haiti’s action plan for National Recovery and Development, as an efficient and coherent framework. “While acknowledging the willingness of the international community to continue to partner with the government of Haiti in establishing future long- 2 11-29061  S/PRST/2011/7 term security and development strategies that are mindful of a cohesive framework, the Security Council stresses the importance of consistent coordination and joint efforts among, the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission and other stakeholders with a view to producing sustainable results. “The Security Council welcomes the willingness of regional and sub regional organizations to contribute to the ongoing process of stabilization, reconstruction and further consolidation of democracy in Haiti. In this respect, the Council calls on MINUSTAH to continue to work closely with such organizations, as well as international financial institutions and other stakeholders, among them the Organization of the American States (OAS), the European Union (EU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Inter-American Development Bank. “The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the Member States who support the recovery and stabilization process in Haiti, including the troop and police contributing countries of MINUSTAH. The Council expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Haiti, former United States President William J. Clinton, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ambassador Edmond Mulet and the personnel of MINUSTAH for their dedication and personal involvement in the ongoing stabilization and recovery efforts in Haiti in accordance with their respective mandates and in a strong coordination with all United Nations entities and Member States.” 11-29061 3