(2008-08) MINUSTAH - Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2008/586)

S/2008/586 United Nations Security Council Distr.: General 27 August 2008 Original: English Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 1780 (2007), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) until 15 October 2008, and requested me to report on its implementation semi-annually and not later than 45 days prior to its expiration. The present report covers major developments since my report of 26 March 2008 (S/2008/202) and the progress made in the implementation of the mandate of the Mission as set out in Security Council resolutions 1542 (2004), 1608 (2005), 1702 (2006), 1743 (2007) and 1780 (2007), and presents further elements of a consolidation plan. II. Political developments 2. During the reporting period, Haiti’s fragile political consensus was severely put to the test following a Senate vote on 12 April to censure the Government of Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis. Four months of negotiations were required in order to obtain legislative approval for his successor, Michèle Duvivier PierreLouis, during which time Haiti was left without a fully functioning government. Additional efforts will be essential to further restore and strengthen cooperation among political groupings. 3. The censure of the Government took place following six days of increasingly violent demonstrations, from 3 to 9 April. The protests began as an expression of public frustration sparked by the rapid escalation in the global prices of basic commodities, which imposed severe hardship on the country’s poor. However, as events unfolded, it became apparent from the level and scale of the demonstrations that they were being deliberately manipulated to serve a variety of political, criminal or financial objectives. 4. The protests largely subsided after an appeal for calm by President Préval on 9 April. Three days later, the Senate adopted a motion of censure, alleging that the Government had failed to act effectively to control the cost of living. That same day, President Préval announced a programme of short-term subsidies on imported rice and a medium-term plan to revive national agricultural production. 08-46645 (E) 020908 *0846645* S/2008/586 5. As required by the Constitution, the President sought in the following months to obtain legislative approval for a successor to Prime Minister Alexis. The latter remained in a “caretaker” capacity to manage current affairs. On 12 May and 12 June, respectively, the Chamber of Deputies rejected on “technical grounds” the appointment of Ericq Pierre, a senior official at the Inter-American Development Bank, and presidential adviser Robert Manuel. President Préval’s third nominee, Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis, ultimately received the approval of the lower house on 17 July, and that of the Senate on 31 July. At the time of writing, the President and Prime Minister were conducting consultations with a broad range of political actors with a view to forming a new Government and building support within the Parliament for an eventual Statement of Government Policy, which, according to the Constitution, must be approved by an absolute majority in both houses. 6. Parliamentary dynamics remained fluid during the reporting period. For much of that time, activity in the Chamber of Deputies was often characterized by heated debates over allegations of corruption and mismanagement, which escalated into a shooting incident on 1 April. However, the Concertation des Parlementaires Progressistes (CPP) has emerged in recent months as a relatively cohesive mechanism, and played a significant role in facilitating the Chamber’s ratification of Pierre-Louis. Within the Senate, while a group of 16 senators worked together to censure Prime Minister Alexis, a number of its members left the upper house on 8 May, upon conclusion of their terms of office. The Senate, which has 30 seats, is currently functioning with just 18 serving members, 16 of whom must be present to form a constitutionally required quorum. No date has been yet set for senatorial elections, which should have taken place in November 2007. 7. The April crisis led, inter alia, to the postponement of a high-level donors conference to launch the poverty reduction strategy paper, which had been scheduled for 24 and 25 April in Port-au-Prince, but was cancelled following the Senate’s censure of the Government. The ensuing period of political uncertainty also hindered progress in a number of other development and civil service reform projects. Meanwhile, the legislative process has been significantly hampered, as, given its status, the “caretaker” Government has been unable to submit any draft legislation, including key bills such as the draft 2008 revised budget. The formation of a new Government will hopefully provide an opportunity to place these processes back on track and to tackle other long-standing issues. The parties have prepared a “governability pact” for consideration by the executive branch, which outlines a possible formula for reinforced collaboration between all branches of Government and political parties. The pact also lists a number of objectives that could be addressed through joint action. Among these is a proposal that a consensus be sought to support the modification of certain provisions within the 1987 Constitution deemed in some quarters to be problematic. Elections 8. Several electoral events are scheduled to take place in the next three years based on the calendar prescribed by the Constitution. In addition to the delayed elections for one third of the Senate, these would include elections in November 2009 to renew the Chamber of Deputies and a second third of the Senate and to elect municipal and local officials. Presidential elections are scheduled to take place in November 2010. 2 08-46645 S/2008/586 9. The new electoral law, which was drafted by the Provisional Electoral Council and submitted by the Government to Parliament in February, was adopted by the legislature on 9 July and published on 25 July. It introduces a number of important changes, including an increase in the number of voting centres, a possible increase in the number of Deputies from 99 to 142, a provision for the inclusion of blank votes in elections results, and measures to increase transparency in the electoral process and improve compliance with the Haitian Constitution. Meanwhile, the ongoing update of the voter roll by the Haitian National Identification Office, in collaboration with the Organization of American States, has so far resulted in the registration of over 570,000 voters, from an estimated maximum pool of some 700,000 potential new voters. 10. The Provisional Electoral Council has initiated a comprehensive review of its existing structures and resources, both at central and local levels, in the light of the provisions of the new law. The new requirement for at least two voting centres in each communal section will necessitate the identification of more than 540 new voting centres throughout the country, beyond the 821 existing centres. Within the limits of its capacity and mandate, MINUSTAH is providing technical, security and logistical support to facilitate these exercises, and stands ready to provide further assistance as required. III. Institutional support and strengthening of the State 11. Bilateral programmes to strengthen various ministries have continued throughout the reporting period, and a six-year State plan for the implementation of administrative reform was developed by the Alexis Government, as referred to in my previous report. However, there has been limited progress on such broader projects to modernize the State, and ministries continue to suffer from a serious lack of qualified personnel and limited resources. Further efforts will be required to put into effect a practical programme, with timelines and specific indicators of progress, aimed at enhancing the ability of the State to deliver basic services and address threats to the quality of life of its people. The establishment of a new Government might offer an opportunity to explore whether a further, concerted effort should be made to enhance the capacities of key ministries, drawing on improved coordination between national authorities, bilateral donors, MINUSTAH and the United Nations system, as appropriate. 12. During the reporting period, the Mission continued to work with the leadership of both chambers of Parliament in providing expertise and technical assistance to strengthen legislative capacity. It also facilitated parliamentary and mayoral outreach programmes in all 10 departments through the organization of countrywide forums on relations between Members of Parliament and elected local officials. At the local level, MINUSTAH continued to assist the Ministry of Interior and Local Government in providing technical assistance to municipal councils on aspects of public administration such as budget, finance, management and archives. The Mission has also supported training programmes, seminars and town hall meetings in communes around the country. Drawing, inter alia, on funding for quick-impact projects, MINUSTAH supported a variety of labour-intensive and incomegenerating projects for local communities, together with training for local authorities to enhance fiscal management and public administration. 08-46645 3 S/2008/586 13. MINUSTAH continued to support the efforts of the Haitian authorities to strengthen border management. On 18 June, the Presidential Commission on Border Development held its first meeting since February 2008. The President of the Commission presented a draft decree for the creation of a national coordinating council for border management, which, if established, would play a central role in promoting an integrated and cohesive approach to border management. In addition, MINUSTAH has assisted the Haitian authorities in refurbishing customs and immigration facilities at Malpasse and new border complexes are currently under construction at Belladère and Ouanaminthe, with bilateral support. Meanwhile, MINUSTAH has continued to facilitate weekly informal coordination meetings with local Haitian and Dominican authorities in Malpasse and Ouanaminthe. IV. Security situation 14. The sense of security that is crucial for public and investor confidence was seriously tested by the April unrest and a resurgence in kidnapping. While there have been no further major incidents of civil disturbance, and kidnappings diminished in July, these events, together with brief incidents involving former military elements in late July, underscored the fragility of the security environment and highlighted the need for continued preparedness on the part of MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police. 15. The April disturbances began on 3 April in Les Cayes, when a peaceful demonstration of several hundred people against the rising cost of living quickly turned to violent attacks against the Government and MINUSTAH. In the following days, protests spread to other cities, including Port-au-Prince. In the capital, demonstrators erected barricades at crossroads, set tires ablaze and looted businesses and residences, resulting in several deaths, many injuries and significant damage to property. All available Haitian security forces and MINUSTAH military and formed police units in Port-au-Prince and other large cities were mobilized to bring the situation under control. Within the succeeding days, they effectively contained the violence and averted the risk of an attack on the National Palace, which was the object of attempted entry by several hundred demonstrators, as well as other key installations, while avoiding, to the extent possible, any collateral damage. 16. Meanwhile, after a sharp decline in 2007, kidnappings increased in the first half of 2008, albeit never reaching the 2006 levels. Since the successful anti-gang operations of 2006 and 2007, kidnappings seem to be primarily motivated by ransom and are confined to the country’s larger cities. While some kidnappings appear to be opportunistic, others are carried out by organized groups. The Haitian National Police and MINUSTAH have worked together to forge an effective response, including through improved information-sharing, strengthening of the Haitian National Police’s anti-kidnapping cell and heightened patrols, and improved communication with the public. The United Nations is also working with Member States to promote increased bilateral support for the Haitian National Police and to enhance capacity within the Mission, including through the deployment of specialized police personnel. In addition, contacts have been made with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to identify through their network specialists who could assist. Following the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, including apparent organizers, kidnappings declined in July, when their 4 08-46645 S/2008/586 number stood at less than half of the average monthly figure for the previous six months. In addition, MINUSTAH is working with the Haitian authorities to improve coordination between the Haitian National Police and the judicial system to ensure that kidnappers are rapidly brought to trial. 17. On 29 July, former members of the Haitian army occupied public buildings in Cap Haïtien and Ouanaminthe. While posing no significant security threat, the event did generate some popular concern. The situation was rapidly and peaceably brought under control through the joint efforts of the Haitian National Police and MINUSTAH. 18. At a time when Haiti continues to experience threats that the Haitian National Police is not yet equipped to handle alone, MINUSTAH security forces are playing an indispensable role in ensuring stability. In addition to targeted operations, the Mission military component maintained regular patrolling throughout the country, including along the coasts and land border, and has increased its aerial surveillance with the deployment of an additional aircraft. The deployment of the maritime police component in the vicinity of key ports will further complement these ongoing efforts by helping to promote security, extend State authority, deter trafficking and favour enhanced revenue collection by Haitian authorities. At the same time, complementary bilateral initiatives and cooperation will remain essential to assure the effectiveness of this additional deployment. Meanwhile, within and around urban areas, the Mission formed police units are making a valuable contribution through their patrolling, operational and other security activities, alongside the Haitian National Police. 19. MINUSTAH military and police components, whose composition is reflected in the annex to the present report, have been significantly reconfigured over the past two years to reflect changing circumstances and priorities in Haiti. This process included the successive reduction of 300 troops in August 2006, following the completion of the presidential elections, and a further reduction of 140 troops in August 2007, after the termination of major operations in Cité Soleil. Corresponding adjustments in the police component led to an overall increase of nearly 200 officers. In addition, nearly 500 troops who had been tasked with maintaining security in urban areas have been reconfigured over the past 12 months to permit greater capacity in key areas such as engineering and border patrolling. 20. Bearing in mind the extent of the changes that have already taken place, and given the demands placed on MINUSTAH forces in April, no further reconfiguration is advised at this time. Nevertheless, in the absence of a major deterioration in the security environment, the planned substantial increase in Haitian National Police capacity in the coming 12 months (as described below) should pave the way for the beginning of a systematic and progressive assumption of functional and geographic responsibilities by the Haitian National Police, together with a corresponding reconfiguration of the Mission’s own capabilities. These requirements will be kept under review. Community violence reduction 21. MINUSTAH continued to pursue its community violence reduction programme, which focuses on institutional support, labour-intensive projects and small arms control. Logistical, financial and technical support was provided to 08-46645 5 S/2008/586 enhance the capacity of the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reinsertion. Community forums were established in the nine priority areas identified by the Government, and 60 local officials and community leaders, including 19 women, were trained in project design and management. 22. During the reporting period, MINUSTAH and the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reinsertion, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), launched an additional seven labour-intensive projects in violence-affected areas; a total of 20 such projects have been initiated since the beginning of the year. The first six projects, which employed 7,572 persons, have been completed, while 14 more, employing 30,600 persons (30 per cent of whom are women), are ongoing. As at 15 August, 148 former armed individuals were continuing a nine-month professional training course, scheduled to finish in November, after which they will be enrolled in an apprenticeship programme with local companies. Preparatory work began for a pilot, pre-release reintegration project, in collaboration with the National Prison Administration, and 1,000 prisoners, including 300 women, were scheduled to start a three-month skills training course by the end of August. The former reinsertion orientation centre was upgraded into a skills training centre, where 1,200 former armed individuals and community members, including 400 women, were scheduled to begin a three-month basic vocational training course in September. Meanwhile, 2,450 youth from violence-affected areas were trained and appointed as Ambassadors of Peace for their communities. 23. The social mobilization and sensitization campaign launched by MINUSTAH in the last reporting period continued, including activities that promote a culture of non-violence and peace through community sporting and cultural events, consultative workshops, and programmes on local FM radios throughout Haiti. Furthermore, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, MINUSTAH started a pilot primary school outreach project promoting a culture of non-violence for 30,000 children in 60 schools. 24. MINUSTAH and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) continued to assist the Ministry of Justice in the ongoing review of the legislation on firearms and in upgrading the Haitian National Police weapons registry system. The system will reissue 6,100 new licences to registered weapon owners, replacing less secure versions issued between 2004 and 2006, and will re-register 25,000 weapons licensed between 1994 and 2004 that have expired. V. Reform of rule-of-law structures 25. Enhancement of the capacity of Haiti’s rule-of-law institutions remains crucial for the country’s long-term stability. There was some progress in this area over the reporting period, notwithstanding the complications created by the political situation. Police reform and development 26. In accordance with the broad approach outlined in the Haitian National Police Reform Plan, further progress was made during the reporting period towards the 6 08-46645 S/2008/586 professionalization of Haitian National Police personnel, its institutional strengthening and the development of its infrastructure. Out of the target envisaged in the Reform Plan of 14,000 trained and vetted officers by 2011, the Haitian National Police currently includes 8,546 officers, of whom 8.5 per cent are female. Although the 19th promotion or class of cadets graduated on 6 November 2007, the 20th promotion, numbering some 700 cadets (of whom 12 per cent are women), did not start training until 21 July 2008, owing to delays in the recruitment process. Recruitment for the 21st promotion is currently ongoing in order to allow the class to begin training before the end of the year. Accordingly, it is expected that some 1,200 cadets will graduate from the Police School in the first half of 2009. The basic training that has taken place in Haiti is being supplemented by bilateral initiatives to provide specialized courses and scholarships. 27. Meanwhile, alongside the internal review mechanisms of the Haitian National Police, the Mission is implementing with the Haitian National Police the joint vetting process that will provide the basis for police certification by MINUSTAH. This has taken place in seven of the 10 departments to date and 4,151 investigative files had been opened as at 12 August. 28. The Government has launched a targeted programme for reform of the Central Command of the Judicial Police, which is responsible for conducting investigations and providing support to judicial processes. A competency and performance evaluation of the existing personnel of the Central Command of the Judicial Police has been completed, on the basis of which MINUSTAH has provided specialized training to 199 Central Command judicial police officers. New standard operating procedures have been elaborated in order to enhance collaboration between the Central Command of the Judicial Police and police stations in kidnapping cases. 29. Substantial contributions by Member States have permitted important progress in the development of necessary infrastructure and strengthening of institutions. A significant expansion of the Haitian National Police School was completed in June 2008, including the construction of six new barracks and the renovation of 27 classrooms and other facilities, which represents a substantial increase in training capacity. Bilateral contributions have also been provided to support construction of three new Haitian National Police stations, including a major installation in Cité Soleil, as well as the renovation of 28 stations and construction of a new coastguard base in the South Department. 30. Meanwhile, during the reporting period, the Presidential Commission to strengthen security continued to reflect on Haiti’s overall security needs. This review should help to place in context the Haitian National Police reform process, which aims to create a capability to discharge “essential policing functions”, and should assist in clarifying any additional requirements. Judicial system 31. Drawing on support from MINUSTAH, the Haitian authorities have continued to pursue the implementation of the three-year justice reform plan, as reflected in the poverty reduction strategy paper and the three bills on the independence of the judiciary adopted in December 2007. 08-46645 7 S/2008/586 32. An agreed timeline foresees the establishment by September 2008 of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, which will play a key role in the administration and regulation of the justice system. In order to advance this process, the Government established a commission to supervise the election of Council members, and a second commission for their certification, with the support of MINUSTAH and involved donors. All nine members of the Superior Council have been selected and vetting began in July. 33. While the official reopening of the School for Magistrates was delayed pending the completion of renovations, its overall curriculum and internal rules were finalized, and a training session for justices of the peace — the first to take place since 2004 — began on 7 July, with 25 participants, including two women, benefiting from in-service instruction. Draft legislation has been prepared that would update regulations for other key justice personnel — registrars, bailiffs and court ushers. A training programme for registrars is also being prepared. 34. As part of the justice reform plan, the Government has prepared a draft law, which has yet to be submitted to Parliament, calling for the establishment of 160 new courts throughout the country. If adopted, the law would require the training of an additional 350 magistrates beyond the current figure of 700 (of whom 45 are women), as well as of judicial support staff and administration. Bilateral assistance, particularly for infrastructure, will be critical to this effort. 35. Another four legal aid offices opened in Port-de-Paix, Jacmel, Les Cayes and Jérémie, bringing the number of such offices to eight out of a planned total of 18 by the end of 2009. The objective is to provide the local population with access to justice in each jurisdiction of the country and create a national legal assistance programme to be funded by the State. 36. Alongside these projects to strengthen capacity, efforts are being made to enhance effectiveness through reinforcement of the penal chair and improved cooperation between the police and the judiciary. Discussions are ongoing regarding proposals to establish specialized chambers within the Port-au-Prince jurisdiction that would cover high-profile cases, including kidnappings and financial crimes, an initiative that would complement ongoing efforts to strengthen the investigative capacity of the police. The support of the new Government will be essential to further progress in this area. In addition, the Government, with support from MINUSTAH and other partners, has launched a programme to reorganize and standardize court registration processes and case tracking management. An initiative on juvenile justice has also been launched, which foresees additional specialized judges in several jurisdictions. Corrections system 37. Some progress has been made in the implementation of the 2007-2012 strategic plan of the National Prison Administration. However, much remains to be done in each of its four main areas of concentration (improvement of infrastructure, procurement of necessary equipment, training of personnel, and enhanced treatment of detainees), and the situation in prisons has become even more difficult during the reporting period, as overcrowding has increased. 8 08-46645 S/2008/586 38. As at 31 July, 7,530 inmates (of whom 325 are women) were held in 17 prisons, with only 4,884 m2 of living space. In the national penitentiary in Portau-Prince, 3,793 detainees occupied 1,995 m2 of living space, a little more than half a square metre per prisoner, and far below the international norm of 2.5 m2 per prisoner, which reflects a basic minimum in terms of human rights and safety. In response to overcrowding, Haitian penal authorities have begun to transfer detainees from Port-au-Prince. However, this could trigger new problems by isolating those transferred from their court jurisdictions and by spreading security threats to smaller, ill-adapted facilities. 39. More than 83 per cent of detainees nationwide continue to be held in pretrial detention, as are more than 95 per cent of detainees in the national penitentiary. This is true notwithstanding the work of the Consultative Commission on Prolonged Pretrial Detention, whose recommendations led to the release of a total of 800 prisoners. In response to this dire situation, the Commission, in its final report of 9 May, recommended, inter alia, that the penal and procedural codes be revised to provide for alternatives to imprisonment. 40. With a view to addressing this unsustainable situation, rehabilitation work started in February to increase cell space in prisons at Hinche and Carrefour. Four additional cells have been provided in Cap Haïtien. In Port-au-Prince, where overcrowding is most acute, plans have been developed for the conversion of a former psychiatric hospital. It is envisaged that a major new installation would be built in the vicinity of the capital. Further progress in this area is essential, and will depend on the provision of bilateral funds and on prioritization by the Haitian leadership. 41. The staffing of the prison system was increased by about 50 per cent, with the graduation in July of 227 new corrections officers, of whom 19 are women. These officers, the first to be trained since 2001, bring the staffing of the corrections system to 742 (of whom 68 are women) for a total of 7,530 inmates, a figure that still falls far short of international standards. 42. At a time when the prison system remains gravely underequipped and understaffed, MINUSTAH continues to make a key contribution through its efforts to ensure security and meet the urgent needs of detainees, while providing technical support for longer-term planning. Some additional capacity may be required in order to enable the Mission to meet the current, high level of demand in this area. VI. Human rights 43. The Haitian authorities at the political and working levels have underlined the importance they attach to the observance of human rights, and the situation in the country remains significantly better than that experienced before the 2006 elections. Nonetheless, a number of problems persist, several of which are related to the continuing weaknesses in Haiti’s rule-of-law institutions. These include arrest without valid charges, evidence or proper judicial oversight, while detention records and investigation reports are often difficult to track, poor in quality or non-existent. The functioning of the judicial system is also undermined by shortcomings in criminal investigations and delays in implementing decisions, all of which contribute to the high level of pretrial detentions. Lynching also remains a widespread problem. Meanwhile, the economic, social and cultural rights of the 08-46645 9 S/2008/586 Haitian population are increasingly threatened by the growing difficulties the majority of Haitians face in accessing employment, food, adequate housing and basic social services. 44. The Office of Citizen Protection, the sole independent human rights institution foreseen by the Constitution, can play an important role in monitoring progress in the human rights situation and in promoting remedial action. While MINUSTAH continues to support the work of the Office, it is of primary importance that it be strengthened through the adoption of enabling legislation by the Parliament and by the provision of adequate funding. Gender 45. During the reporting period, MINUSTAH police assisted the Haitian National Police in strengthening its capacity to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, including through ongoing training programmes. Furthermore, the Haitian National Police and MINUSTAH jointly initiated an information campaign in schools to increase children’s awareness of women’s rights and of punishable crimes under the Penal Code such as rape and domestic violence. The Mission conducted a series of regional workshops in June to identify obstacles to the participation of women in politics. The protection of the rights of women and children could be enhanced through the adoption of appropriate legislation. In this connection, draft laws on civil unions and men’s parenting responsibilities were submitted to Parliament in December 2007. 46. In June 2008, the Government submitted its first report to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Child protection 47. Further efforts are critical to protect the rights of Haitian children from criminal threats. During the reporting period, children represented 35 per cent of kidnapping victims, while two minors were killed by their captors. In addition to its operational support for anti-kidnapping efforts by the Haitian National Police, MINUSTAH has produced radio messages by popular Haitian musician Wyclef Jean condemning kidnapping and sexual violence against children. 48. The Juvenile Court, which draws on technical assistance from MINUSTAH, has become increasingly efficient. The number of minors held in pretrial detention decreased from 266 in February to 246 (including 30 girls) in June 2008. MINUSTAH and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also continued to train Haitian National Police officers, while the Police has appointed 50 regional child protection focal points in all 10 departments of Haiti. 49. The situation of children in institutional care centres continues to be a serious concern, and the capacity of the Government to monitor these centres remains weak. Local NGOs have also been denouncing what appears to be an alarming increase in the trafficking of children to the Dominican Republic, for labour and sexual exploitation. 10 08-46645 S/2008/586 VII. Humanitarian, recovery and development activities Socio-economic situation 50. During the reporting period, rapidly rising global food and fuel prices posed a significant threat to the stability of Haiti and the well-being of its population. The country’s local food production and food aid meet, respectively, only 43 per cent and 5 per cent of needs. Haiti imports the remaining 52 per cent of its food (including over 80 per cent of its rice), and all of its fuel. These trends have therefore had a direct, intense impact on the economy of Haiti and on the living conditions of its people. 51. The macroeconomic gains the country attained over the past years are threatened by the present situation. The trade deficit of Haiti widened by US$ 185 million (2.5 per cent of annual gross domestic product (GDP)) in the first half of fiscal 2008 owing to higher food and fuel prices. Inflation doubled to 15.8 per cent in June 2008, up from 7.9 per cent at the end of the previous fiscal year (September 2007). The gourde reversed its nominal appreciation trend and weakened by more than 10 per cent against the United States dollar over recent months. At the same time, economic growth forecasts for Haiti for 2008 were revised downwards from 3.7 per cent to 2.5 per cent. Meanwhile, social and political unrest jeopardized progress in attracting local and foreign investments. This in turn will contribute to lower than expected government revenue. In order to preserve macroeconomic stability in this difficult environment, the Haitian authorities have sought to balance adjustment and new financing, while seeking donor commitments to meet the additional spending needs to reduce the impact on the population of higher food and fuel prices. 52. Meanwhile, further efforts are urgently needed to provide sustainable relief to the overwhelming majority of Haitians who suffer from extreme poverty. National authorities indicate that food insecurity is currently affecting 2.5 million Haitians, a sharp increase from an estimated 500,000 to one million Haitians in 2007. Social safety nets are virtually non-existent and basic social services, such as education, are almost entirely run by the private sector, while the country also implements a cost-recovery policy for basic health services. At the same time, remittances from the Haitian diaspora, which represent a key coping mechanism for 70 per cent of Haitian households, may be affected by economic difficulties outside the country. As global food and oil prices are expected to continue to increase, Haitians are set to face additional social and economic pressures, especially with the ongoing hurricane season and the opening of the school year. 53. Following the disturbances in April, the Haitian authorities outlined proposals in response to the food crisis, which included price supports and revenuegenerating, labour-intensive activities, together with a longer-term programme to enhance agricultural production. As the international community sought to assist with donations and pledges for additional aid, the Government introduced subsidies for rice, which, together with the arrival on the market of the summer harvest produce, stabilized and, in some cases, even decreased food prices. However, these subsidies, which cost about US$ 17 million in the period April-August and were financed with aid from the World Bank and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), are currently being lifted progressively. The Government is also 08-46645 11 S/2008/586 phasing out the fuel subsidies, which had started at the end of March 2008, and cost about US$ 12 million in lost revenue over the period March-July. Humanitarian assistance and development 54. On 2 June, in order to help mobilize an effective response to the food crisis, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and I jointly convened an international meeting on Haiti, on the sidelines of the Global Food Security Summit, held by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. A followup meeting on food security and rural development in Haiti was held on 15 July in Madrid. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the United Nations Development Group, Kemal Dervis, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, prepared and distributed a letter of appeal outlining the United Nations strategy to minimize the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable, in accordance with Government plans. This strategy includes immediate, mid and long-term interventions to strengthen local food production, including food aid and revenue-generating, labour-intensive activities in rural and urban areas. The letter also provides for the establishment of social safety nets, particularly in the health, education and nutrition sectors. In June 2008, a joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-International Fund for Agricultural Development-WFP (World Food Programme)-World Bank mission endorsed the strategy, with a particular emphasis on nutrition and other safety nets. The response has been encouraging, and a total of US$ 55.5 million has already been received. However, an additional US$ 75.6 million is required to meet basic needs until 31 December 2008. 55. Since April, WFP has increased the number of average monthly beneficiaries from 563,000 in April to 855,000 in June, and it plans to reach a total of 2.3 million persons by December 2008. In May, WFP and CARITAS-Haiti started distributing immediate relief assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population in 10 urban areas. By the end of July, 200,000 people had received a 30-day ration. Meanwhile, WFP expanded its nutritional support through Mother and Child Health and People Living with HIV-AIDS/Tuberculosis programmes from 217,000 beneficiaries in April to 369,000 in June. School feeding has continued, covering 325,000 schoolchildren per month since June, and is expected to increase in September to reach 400,000 children. In addition, the number of beneficiaries enrolled in food-for-training activities increased from 9,500 to 17,000. 56. FAO, UNDP, IOM, the United Nations Office for Project Services, the International Labour Organization, WFP and other partners are involved in the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes and other initiatives for environmental protection and natural disaster prevention, mostly through the implementation of labour-intensive and food-for-work projects. These initiatives have been intensified since the disturbances in April through the reallocation of internal funds of agencies and new donations. These activities represent one of the few income-generation opportunities for households, albeit of a short-term nature, just before the beginning of the school year, and can have a positive impact on social stability. While the original plans included the creation of some 252,500 work days for the period between January and June, some 666,000 work days had been created as of June. Furthermore, in early July, FAO started distributing seeds and tools to some 70,000 12 08-46645 S/2008/586 vulnerable households, amounting to 350,000 beneficiaries, in rural and urban areas, and initiated animal husbandry projects targeting 10,000 households. 57. Drawing on extensive logistical and security assistance from MINUSTAH, UNICEF and WHO/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continued to support the Ministry of Health in carrying out vaccination campaigns targeting 60 per cent of the population. WHO/PAHO also pursued a project to ensure obstetric care in some 57 health centres, of which 48 are currently operational. The United Nations Population Fund carried out HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive healthcare projects for some 100,000 persons in six poor districts of Port-au-Prince, while the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) continues to assist the Government in the monitoring of the national AIDS response plan. 58. UNICEF and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization are supporting the Ministry of Education in its planning for the period 2008-2011. In May 2008, the Government expressed its intention to implement a nocost policy for first grade students in 2009. UNICEF supports 126 public schools with education materials. It has also refurbished classrooms, playgrounds and sanitary services in 27 preschools. This programme has provided benefits to some 40,000 students since the beginning of the year. 59. The United Nations country team is supporting, together with NGOs and other partners, including MINUSTAH, the national risk and disaster management plan. UNDP is contributing to the efforts of the Government to strengthen disaster response capabilities through capacity-building at central and departmental levels. A disaster contingency plan is being finalized in consultation with national and international partners. Ninety tons of non-food items and of high-energy biscuits (assistance for 100,000 people for four days) have already been pre-positioned. Notwithstanding these efforts to prepare, the impact of a natural disaster on the already fragile situation could be devastating. Donor coordination 60. The United Nations country team submitted the first draft of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework to Headquarters in May 2008. Aligned with the poverty reduction strategy paper, it outlines the development strategies in Haiti for the period 2009-2011 of all United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, and of most civilian sections of MINUSTAH. Its current budget is estimated to be US$ 511.9 million, of which US$ 385.6 million remain to be raised. 61. In 2007, total loans and grants to Haiti amounted to approximately US$ 500 million. Meanwhile, the Government continues to seek budget support. Its needs are currently estimated at approximately US$ 134.2 million a year. However, two thirds of this amount is absorbed by debt servicing. 62. In line with the principles of the Paris Declaration for the improvement of aid effectiveness, donors have continued to work with the Government to strengthen aid coordination in Haiti. The main donors held a series of retreats in May and June to establish clear terms of reference and a joint workplan. Meanwhile, the Government has invited the “Group of Ten” (the Executive Committee of Lenders, which includes the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States Agency for International Development, the French Development Agency, the 08-46645 13 S/2008/586 Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union, the Spanish International Development Agency and the Canadian International Development Agency-Canada), together with representatives from Argentina, Brazil and Chile, to assist in monitoring the implementation of the national strategy within the evaluation framework established for the poverty reduction strategy paper. A donor coordination mechanism on a sector-by-sector basis was established to promote harmonization between donor interventions and ensure alignment with national priorities. It is hoped that this initiative may facilitate project implementation in each sector. VIII. Personnel conduct and discipline 63. During the reporting period, MINUSTAH continued to implement the policy of the Secretary-General of zero tolerance towards any form of misconduct and, in particular, sexual exploitation and abuse. Senior managers continued to seize every opportunity to underline the policy in discussions with staff at Headquarters and in the field. MINUSTAH also commenced training for managers on the recently issued Secretary-General’s bulletin on the prohibition of discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, and abuse of authority (ST/SGB/2008/5). Focused efforts were made to enhance internal information resources for staff through the Intranet site of the Mission. 64. During the reporting period, two military personnel were repatriated on disciplinary grounds for misconduct unrelated to sexual exploitation and abuse. IX. Consolidation plan 65. In my last report to the Council, I provided an initial outline of five key areas in which progress is essential for the consolidation of stability in Haiti: the resolution of political differences through dialogue and completion of the election cycle; the extension of State authority; the establishment of an appropriate security structure; the development of independent, credible and effective judicial and penal institutions; and improvement in socio-economic development. 66. While the events that took place during the reporting period have unfortunately had an impact on the timeline according to which progress in these areas can be achieved, these broad objectives remain valid. Accordingly, in response to the request of the Security Council in its resolution 1780 (2007), MINUSTAH has continued to develop planning in each of these areas in consultation with Haitian authorities, including President Préval. This has permitted the elaboration of the initial outline and the identification of some further indicators to measure and track progress, as reflected below (and summarized in annex I to the present report). 67. The importance of the resolution of political differences through dialogue, which is a basic prerequisite for the long-term stability of Haiti, has been underscored by the situation on the ground over the past months. A key indicator of progress in this area will be the ability of the political leadership in both the executive and legislative branches to move beyond the recent period of crisis, to rapidly constitute a new Government and to collaborate effectively in addressing the urgent problems facing the country. This might be facilitated through the adoption 14 08-46645 S/2008/586 of a governance or stability pact, which would commit all relevant actors and institutions to support the implementation of a number of agreed political, economic and social objectives. Enhanced collaboration between the executive branch and Parliament, possibly including through the establishment of a coordinated legislative agenda, could also assist. A consensus approach would be a prerequisite in order to tackle a number of political issues that have been cited as priorities by various Haitian political actors, such as the continuing fight against corruption, reform of the regulations governing political parties, and exploring how to address certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution, which are viewed as problematic in some quarters. Likewise, a spirit of collaboration is crucial for the successful implementation of the electoral cycle, which, as noted in my previous report, should culminate in the installation of a democratically elected president in 2011. 68. A collaborative approach is also indispensable to permit the effective extension of State authority. As noted previously, the key indicator of progress in this area would be the establishment, from the central to the local level, of legitimate and democratic institutions that can collect and disburse funds for the benefit of the population. This will entail the strengthening of key ministries at the national level, and the improvement of the legislative and oversight capacity of Parliament. The formulation and implementation by the Haitian authorities of a comprehensive approach to border management, and the establishment of necessary institutions, are also indispensable. At the local level, it would be essential to ensure sound and sustainable arrangements for decentralization. 69. While the requirements for an appropriate overall security structure may be further clarified through the ongoing work of the Presidential Commission on this issue, the objectives outlined in the Haitian National Police Reform Plan provide a number of key indicators of achievement. These include the attainment of an overall strength of 14,000 trained and vetted officers, targeted for completion by 2011, who would undertake essential policing duties in all 10 departments of Haiti. Further objectives include strengthening the institutional capacities of the Haitian National Police, including in the areas of administration, investigation and forensics, and the provision of necessary infrastructure. Security arrangements should also provide for a sustainable capacity to promote stability along the land and maritime borders, drawing on bilateral cooperation as required. The completion of the weapons registration process referred to in paragraph 24 above would also represent an important indicator of progress. 70. As noted in my previous report, the establishment of an independent, credible judicial and penal system that upholds human rights is a prerequisite for long-term stability in Haiti. It will be important to build upon the establishment of the Superior Council of the Judiciary and the start of classes at the School for Magistrates. Key indicators of progress will include the implementation of a certification process for judges; the training of additional magistrates and other judicial personnel; progress towards the creation of new courts; the updating of key aspects of criminal and criminal procedures’ codes; the establishment of specialized chambers for highprofile cases; and the creation of mobile courts. Similarly, while it is encouraging to note the completion of training of a new class of corrections officers, it will be crucial to pursue progress in all four areas of the corrections reform plan, as described above. This should include a systematic effort, through reduction of the prison population and construction of new facilities, to drastically improve the appalling living conditions of detainees, in particular by increasing their living 08-46645 15 S/2008/586 space towards the proposed target of 2.5 m2 per person, up from the current, unacceptable level of about 0.5 m2. Meanwhile, the strengthening of the Office of Citizen Protection, through the adoption of appropriate legislation and provision of the necessary funding, would constitute a further key indicator of progress in securing the human rights of the Haitian people within a State ruled by law. 71. The attainment of measurable progress in the area of socio-economic development, where MINUSTAH does not have mandated responsibility, will present a particular challenge in the present, difficult economic environment. However, the events of the reporting period have underscored the indissoluble link between advances in this area and the prospects for success in any other aspect of stabilization. It is crucial that the current decline in socio-economic conditions be halted and reversed, and that the people of Haiti enjoy a basic level of services and some prospects for economic opportunity. Key indicators of achievement could include an improvement in basic criteria that measure living conditions, such as daily caloric intake, life expectancy or mortality rates; an increase in GDP per capita; improvement in the availability of basic services; increased direct investment; and an increase in both agricultural and industrial production. These objectives can be achieved only through a combination of necessary policy decisions by the Haitian leadership, renewed efforts by multilateral agencies and international financial institutions, coordinated and sustained generosity on the part of donors and the active engagement of the private sector in Haiti and abroad. 72. The consolidation of stability will require simultaneous advances in all five of the above areas, which are interdependent; progress in each one is contingent on achievements in the other four. In each case, close collaboration between the national leadership and the wider international community will be essential. 73. These indicators are generally not new, but rather represent a compilation of the objectives identified in the various national reform plans and strategies that are already in place, a number of which have been incorporated in the poverty reduction strategy paper. The timelines that have been established for their achievement are approximate, and will be adjusted as required to take account of the Mission’s ongoing dialogue with the Haitian authorities and of the evolution of the situation on the ground. However, they should help to establish broad parameters by which the Security Council can evaluate progress towards the effective stabilization of the country. 74. It is clear that, even if all of the above indicators of progress are attained, Haiti will continue to need further, longer-term support. However, they should help to identify a critical threshold of stability beyond which a peacekeeping presence could be progressively reduced and ultimately withdrawn, and the country could contemplate reversion to a normal framework of bilateral and multilateral assistance. X. Mission support 75. Demonstrations in early April led to a reconsideration of the Mission’s present deployment, and priority was given to completion of a camp for the deployment of an additional Formed Police Unit in Port-au-Prince, and the relocation of another Formed Police Unit to Les Cayes. Additional security-related improvements have been undertaken in other locations. 16 08-46645 S/2008/586 76. Support to border management remains a key activity. The Mission has finalized phase one of the logistical support arrangements, while phase two is ongoing, as more long-term logistical arrangements are pursued. The development of coastal installations is under way to accommodate the maritime component of the Mission. 77. Since March 2008, two MINUSTAH personnel have died, 25 have been medically evacuated to locations outside Haiti and 32 have been medically evacuated to higher-level care within Haiti. Mission personnel continue to confront serious security hazards. Outreach and public information 78. The capacity of MINUSTAH to communicate directly with the population has increased with the establishment of “MINUSTAH FM”, which has been broadcasting daily in Port-au-Prince since April 2008 and progressively in the regions as relay transmitters are installed. Audience reaction to this initiative has been positive, and participation in the Mission radio programmes from all social layers of the population has been encouraging. 79. The nine multimedia centres have, since their inception in May 2007, attracted 45,000 Haitians (of whom 31 per cent were women), who have participated in a wide variety of outreach activities supported by MINUSTAH, such as workshops, seminars and training for local authorities, NGOs and other MINUSTAH partners. While the media centre in Les Cayes was looted during the disturbances in April, it is expected to reopen in September. XI. Financial aspects 80. By its resolution 62/261 of 20 June 2008, the General Assembly appropriated the amount of $574,916,500, equivalent to $47,909,700 per month, for the maintenance of MINUSTAH for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Should the Security Council decide to extend the mandate of MINUSTAH beyond 15 October 2008, the cost of maintaining the Mission until 30 June 2009 would be limited to the amounts approved by the General Assembly. 81. As at 31 May 2008, unpaid assessed contributions to the Special Account for MINUSTAH amounted to $96.7 million. The total outstanding assessed contributions for all peacekeeping operations as at that date amounted to $1.8 billion. 82. As at 30 June 2008, amounts owed to troop and formed police contributors to MINUSTAH totalled $27.5 million. Reimbursement of troop and contingent-owned equipment costs have been made for the period up to 31 May and 31 March 2008, respectively, in accordance with the quarterly payment schedule. XII. Observations and recommendations 83. During the reporting period, Haiti’s stabilization process suffered a significant setback, as a result of the April disturbances, the subsequent censure of the Government, and the prolonged difficulties in reaching agreement on a new Prime 08-46645 17 S/2008/586 Minister and Government. By delaying the adoption and implementation of State programmes, continuing the paralysis of the legislative process, undermining the confidence of the Haitian public and dissuading internal and external private investment that is critical for long-term recovery, this series of events increased the severe hardship experienced by the Haitian people and compounded the difficulties created by unfavourable global trends. 84. It is essential that both Haitians and their partners put this period of crisis behind them, and turn with renewed energy to the tasks ahead. The agreement of 31 July on a new Prime Minister represents an important step towards placing the stabilization process on track. Much remains to be done, as reflected in the consolidation plan presented in section IX of the present report, and further, sustained efforts by the Haitian leadership and people, MINUSTAH and the wider international community will be required to make up for the time that has been lost. 85. Within Haiti, the appointment of a new Prime Minister could offer a fresh opportunity to move forward. At a critical juncture, it is essential that actors from across the political spectrum and from all the different branches of Government work together for the common good. Urgent tasks that demand priority attention by the Government, with the support of partners, include the adoption of short-term measures that can respond to the immediate needs of the Haitian people and help them cope with the ongoing global food and fuel crisis; finalization of the planning that was launched with the poverty reduction strategy paper process; the engagement of donors; and continued support for programmes to strengthen the country’s rule-of-law structures. Renewed efforts to enhance communication between the Haitian authorities and the public, and to engage the private sector and civil society, are crucial to ensuring the broad cooperation that is necessary for success. 86. The continued deployment of MINUSTAH also remains indispensable. As was clear during the April riots, the Mission security components continue to play a critical role in ensuring the country’s stability. At the same time, MINUSTAH is making a key contribution to Haiti’s longer-term stabilization through its support for the strengthening of rule-of-law institutions, while seeking to build the capacity of the State administration at the central and local levels. I accordingly recommend that the mandate of MINUSTAH be extended by a further year, until 15 October 2009, and that its military and police components be maintained at their current strength, so that the Mission may continue to support the stabilization process in each of these areas. 87. In addition to the support of the peacekeeping operation, the engagement of the wider international community will be critical for real progress. Bilateral support, through the provision of specialized training and through funding for necessary infrastructure, is and will remain crucial for institution-building efforts. The generous donor response to the April crisis offered desperately needed encouragement to the Haitian people at a particularly difficult time. However, as noted in the present report, extreme hardship persists. If not addressed, this hardship will bring further destabilization. Immediate assistance will be particularly crucial in the coming weeks as Haitian families face additional economic adversity associated with the return to school in a context of increasing cost of living. 88. The events over the past four months have underscored the continuing fragility of achievements to date. They cannot, however, be allowed to become a source of 18 08-46645 S/2008/586 discouragement. Instead, they should serve as a reminder that stabilization processes rarely run smoothly, that they are influenced by the level of cooperation of local actors and by external factors, and that they should be viewed as part of a longerterm peace- and institution-building effort that requires patience and endurance. The recent difficulties should therefore strengthen the resolve of all those who can contribute to maintain and increase their engagement, in order to pre-empt any further backsliding, and ensure that Haiti advances along the road to stability. 89. I would like to conclude by expressing my sincere gratitude to my Special Representative, Hédi Annabi, and to the men and women of MINUSTAH for their courage and dedication to the stabilization of Haiti, as well as to those Governments that have provided troops and police to the operation. 08-46645 19 S/2008/586 Annex I Benchmarks and indicators of progress in key areas of consolidation: 2008-2011 I. Political dialogue, elections Benchmark: continued progress in the resolution of political differences through dialogue and the successful completion of a cycle of elections that culminates in the smooth installation of a democratically chosen president in 2011 Requirements for progress would include continued political will on the part of key Haitian actors to build an inclusive and collaborative approach (possibly drawing on some form of agreed road map or the establishment of a shared agenda by the legislative and executive branches); provision of security, logistical and technical support from MINUSTAH; and necessary bilateral funding to permit completion of electoral cycle and strengthen relevant institutions Yeara 2008 Indicators of progress • • • 2009 • • • 2010-2011 • • • • Formation of a new Government, and broad acceptance of its policy programme Renewed efforts to build consensus on ways to address urgent issues facing the country, drawing on collaboration between political parties and branches of Government, as well as with the private sector and civil society Preparation and determination of a date for elections for one third of the Senate, on the basis of the newly adopted electoral law Continued collaborative approach in finding solutions to Haiti’s political, economic and social problems Electoral calendar envisages elections for renewal of the Chamber of Deputies and a further third of the Senate, as well as of local elections. (Elections: November 2009; swearing in of new Chamber of Deputies in January 2010) Progress towards the establishment of a Permanent Electoral Council Holding of presidential elections in November 2010 Continued collaborative approach in finding solutions to Haiti’s problems would have permitted progress in addressing shared objectives (possibly including the fight against corruption, reform of the regulations governing political parties, and exploration of how to address problematic provisions of the 1987 Constitution) Ability of Haitian institutions to conduct elections with minimal international support Assumption of office by a democratically elected president in 2011 a For ease of reference by members of the Security Council, this chart compiles a number of objectives and target dates that are drawn from various national plans, including in particular Haitian plans for the reform of the country’s rule-of-law institutions. While the need to make progress in these areas is generally agreed, it should be noted that a number of the dates are subject to change, and would be adjusted as required to factor in the evolving circumstances on the ground and take account of the Mission’s ongoing dialogue with the Haitian authorities. 20 08-46645 S/2008/586 II. Extension of State authority Benchmark: extension of State authority throughout the country through the establishment of legitimate, transparent, accountable democratic State institutions, down to the local level, with the capacity to collect and disburse funds for the benefit of the population, including the establishment of a viable system of border management Requirements for progress would include a collaborative approach by the Haitian political leadership in adopting a strategy for enhancement of administrative capacity at the central and local levels and in strengthening consensus on arrangements for decentralization; ongoing technical support from MINUSTAH; and bilateral and multilateral provision of expertise to assist in capacity-building, and resources for infrastructure requirements Year 2008 Indicators of progress • • 2009 • • 2010-2011 • • • b Clarification of a process for strengthening administrative and decision-making capacity at national and local levels, permitting continued progress in this regardb Continued progress towards development of a comprehensive approach to border management Continued progress in strengthening administrative and decision-making capacity at national and local levels Continued progress towards development of a comprehensive approach to border management A comprehensive approach to border management to be in place, and a critical capacity in this area to be attained through the establishment of necessary institutions and infrastructure, which would draw on further international support as required Enhanced capacity to collect and disburse funds for the benefit of the population through strengthened institutions at the central and local levels, including sound and sustainable arrangements for decentralization Enhanced legislative and oversight capacity of Parliament In addition to a number of ongoing bilateral initiatives in this area, an overall blueprint for reform of the State was prepared by the Alexis Government. Agreement by the Haitian authorities on an implementation process for such a reform programme should facilitate identification of more specific indicators of progress. 08-46645 21 S/2008/586 III. Ensuring security and stability Benchmark: establishment of a sustainable security structure that enables Haiti to respond effectively to potential threats within the country and along its land and maritime borders, while respecting international standards and individual freedoms Requirements for progress would include continued prioritization of necessary decisions on development of Haitian National Police capacity by the Haitian authorities, and development of a consensus on an appropriate overall security structure; operational and capacity-building support from MINUSTAH; and provision of bilateral expertise and support for infrastructure requirements Year 2008 Indicators of progress • • • • • 2009 • • • • 2010-2011 • • • • • 22 Building on progress to date, continued advances in maintaining security and stability in urban and rural areas, drawing on collaboration between international and Haitian security forces Strengthening of the Haitian National Police presence, with MINUSTAH support, along land and maritime borders Progress in reaching objectives established by the Haitian National Police reform plan • Commencement of training of 20th and 21st promotions of Haitian National Police (some 700 cadets per promotion) • Continuation of certification process • Development of Haitian National Police infrastructure • Strengthening of Haitian National Police judicial policing technical capabilities Issuance of findings by presidential commission on strengthening Haiti’s security Initiation of weapons registration process Ongoing patrolling along borders and throughout the country Further progress in reaching objectives established by the Haitian National Police Reform Plan • Graduation of the 20th and 21st promotions together with further recruitment and training would result in a total increase of up to 2,500 officers by the end of 2009 • Progress in development of coastguard capability • Ongoing strengthening of Haitian National Police administrative capacity and training of mid- and upper-level management • Commence drafting of a follow-on development plan to the current Haitian National Police Reform Plan Increasing capacity of Haitian National Police to assume functional and geographic responsibilities would permit review of configuration of international forces Ongoing registration of weapons under the Haitian Government weapons registration programme Further progress would be made during this period in all of the areas outlined by the Haitian National Police Reform Plan, so that by the end of 2011 a number of key objectives of the Haitian National Police Reform Plan would be attained or within reach: • Haitian National Police strength of 14,000 trained and operational officers; completion of Haitian National Police certification process • Haitian National Police capacity to provide essential police services throughout the country Sustainable arrangements to provide security along the land and maritime borders, drawing on international assistance and complementary bilateral activities as necessary This would in turn permit an overall evaluation of residual requirements for international assistance Approval of further development planning for the Haitian National Police Completion of registration process for some 31,000 weapons 08-46645 S/2008/586 IV. Rule of law and human rights Benchmark: establishment of an independent and credible judicial and penal system that respects and upholds human rights and is accessible to all citizens Requirements for progress would include continued prioritization of necessary decisions by the Haitian authorities, continued operational and capacity-building support from MINUSTAH, and provision of bilateral expertise and contributions to meet infrastructure requirements Year 2008 Indicators of progress • • • 2009 • • • • 2010-2011 08-46645 • In accordance with the national plan for justice reform and in support of the three fundamental laws on the independence of the judiciary adopted in December 2007 • The Conseil Supérieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire to be established • The School for Magistrates reopened and first in-service training to be launched • Progress towards establishment of specialized chambers for high-profile crimes • Identification of urgent reforms of the criminal procedure codes, including statutes for judicial auxiliaries In pursuit of the objectives established by the Strategic Plan of the National Prison Administration • Progress towards an increase of corrections bed space • Graduation of 226 corrections officers; training of senior managers and supervisors; development of policy and procedures Progress towards adoption of legislation for the Office of Citizen Protection In accordance with national plans for justice reform and in support of the three laws adopted in December 2007 on the independence of the judiciary • A judicial inspectorate to be established • Progress towards development of the legislation and organigram for the Ministry of Justice and Public Security • Establishment of a functional strategic planning and programming unit within the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety to steer the execution of the justice reform process • A first class of future magistrates (target figure of 60) begins training at the School for Magistrates after undergoing the competitive selection process In pursuit of the objectives established by the Strategic Plan of the National Prison Administration • Increase of bed space (target figure of 1,200) in corrections facilities • Training of an additional 270 corrections officers, and development of human resources management Progress towards ratification of international human rights instruments Further progress towards strengthening the effectiveness of the Office of Citizen Protection The justice reform plan to have been implemented within the time frame of the poverty reduction strategy paper, so that the justice system would be able to support an increase in significant trials and judicial decisions, and a decrease of prolonged and illegal pretrial detentions • The Supreme Council of the Judiciary is functioning as a control and disciplinary body for the judiciary 23 S/2008/586 Year Indicators of progress • • 24 • A new judicial planning map is in place and new courts are opened; according to planning reflected in the poverty reduction strategy paper, 150 new Courts of the Peace, 6 new Courts of First Instance and 4 new Courts of Appeal would be added to the 200 Courts of the Peace, 18 Courts of First Instance and 5 Courts of Appeal that are currently in place • Planning would be in place to guide further assistance as required In pursuit of the objectives established by the Strategic Plan of the National Prison Administration, which would continue to offer a guide for essential additional international assistance efforts through 2012 • A core of corrections officers and supervisors would have received sufficient training to enable them to advance with limited assistance • Corrections infrastructure would have been significantly enhanced towards the targeted total (7,900 additional bed spaces by 2012) The Office of Citizen Protection fully operational and effective, drawing on limited additional support, as required 08-46645 S/2008/586 V. Social and economic development Benchmark: lasting stability will require prevention of any further decline in living conditions, delivery of basic services to the most vulnerable, tangible improvement in the living standards of the population and creating the conditions for economic recovery Requirements for progress would include necessary policy decisions by the Haitian leadership to help meet urgent needs and to create a framework for investment and development; coordinated and sustained generosity on the part of donors; renewed efforts by multilateral agencies and international financial institutions; and the active engagement of the private sector in Haiti and abroad Year 2008-2011 Indicators of progress • • • 08-46645 Provision of assistance to meet the urgent needs of the Haitian people, drawing on support from the international community and contributions from the private sector • Assistance in the area of food and agriculture • Support for the development of labour-intensive projects • Progress towards improving availability of education • Support for improvement of health, through vaccination campaign Improvement in business environment • Progress in creating a legislative and regulatory environment that favours business and investment • Progress in key infrastructure projects, including through provision of bilateral assistance Results to be achieved by the end of this period should include: • Improvement in GDP (with prospects for sustained growth over several consecutive years) • Substantial increase in job creation • Increased internal and foreign investment • Increase in agricultural and industrial production • Sustained increase in State revenue • Effective control of inflation • Measurable improvement in the delivery of basic services • Significant decrease in percentage of population living on less than US$ 1 per day 25 S/2008/586 Annex II United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti: countries providing military staff and contingents (as at 18 August 2008) Staff officers Country Females Males Females Males Total Argentina — 9 22 530 561 Bolivia — 3 6 209 218 Brazil — 14a 6 1 193b 1 213 Canada — 4 — — 4 Chile — 6 6 487 499 Croatia — 3 — — 3 Ecuador — 1 — 66 67 France — 2 — — 2 Guatemala — 5 7 107 119 Jordan — 10 — 750 760 Nepal — 11 13 1 086 1 110 Pakistan — 1 — — 1 Paraguay — — — 31 31 Peru — 5 — 205 210 Philippines — 2 11 144 157 Sri Lanka — 10 — 949 959 United States of America 1 3 — — 4 Uruguay — 12 55 967 1 034 Total 1 101 126 6 724 6 952 a b 26 Troops Including the Force Commander. Including one Bolivian Officer serving with the Brazilian contingent. 08-46645 S/2008/586 Annex III United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti: countries providing police officers and formed police units (as at 18 August 2008) Police officers Country Australia 08-46645 Formed police units Female Male Female Male Total — — — — — Argentina — 4 — — 4 Benin — 40 — — 40 Brazil — 3 — — 3 Burkina Faso — 19 — — 19 Cameroon 1 23 — — 24 Canada 7 86 — — 93 Central African Republic 1 6 — — 7 Chad — 1 — — 1 Chile 1 12 — — 13 China 2 12 5 120 139 Colombia — 2 — — 2 Côte d’Ivoire 5 40 — — 45 Croatia — 1 — — 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo — 2 — — 2 Egypt — 28 — — 28 El Salvador — 4 — — 4 France 2 50 — — 52 Grenada — 3 — — 3 Guinea 4 84 — — 88 Italy — 5 — — 5 Jordan — 19 — 290 309 Madagascar — 1 — — 1 Mali — 50 — — 50 Nepal 3 36 7 118 164 Niger 2 61 — — 63 Nigeria — 6 18 107 131 Pakistan — — — 249 249 Philippines 5 12 — — 17 Romania 8 14 — — 22 Russian Federation — 7 — — 7 Rwanda — 11 — — 11 27 S/2008/586 Police officers Country Female Male Female Male Total Senegal — 63 — 85 148 Serbia 1 4 — — 5 Spain 3 39 — — 42 Sri Lanka — 33 — — 33 Togo — — — Turkey 2 54 — — 56 Uruguay — 6 — — 6 United States of America 5 32 — — 37 Yemen — 1 — — 1 52 874 30 969 1 925 Total 28 Formed police units 08-46645 S/2008/586 08-46645 29