Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the Briefing on the question concerning Haiti

Thank you, Mr. President.

I wish to thank Special Representative Salvador for her briefing.

We commend BINUH for its work, as well as the continued provision of assistance by the entire United Nations team in Haiti amid these challenging circumstances.

I also thank Dr. Juma and Ms. Solage for their statements.  

I welcome Foreign Ministers of the Dominican Republic Alvárez and the PR of Haiti to the meeting.   

Mr. President,

As we heard from recent reports and again this morning by the SRSG, escalating attacks on civilians, which are eroding the few remaining gang-free areas in Port-au-Prince, paint yet another grim picture of Haiti’s sharply deteriorating security situation, prompting Haitians to demand that their capital not fall completely into the hands of criminal gangs.

In this respect, we welcome the announcement made earlier this month by the President of the Transitional Presidential Council regarding additional measures, and, importantly, resources to restore security in Haiti.

Urgent action is needed by the Haitian authorities to protect civilians, restore security, and establish the necessary conditions for the restoration of democratic institutions.

With regard to further international assistance for these efforts, Slovenia takes note of the Secretary-General’s proposal for the UN to provide logistical and operational support to the Multinational Security Support mission through the establishment of a UN Support Office, to be funded by the assessed contributions.

While acknowledging the proven feasibility of a hybrid model in certain other situations, particularly in the short to medium term, we would welcome a dedicated discussion on how such a strategy could be applied in the Haitian context, including ways to ensure the full deployment and adequate resourcing of the MSS mission.

The unutterable suffering endured by the Haitian people calls for our prompt and decisive action, including the full respect for and implementation of this Council’s arms embargo.  

Mr. President,

Let me also underline Slovenia’s concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation, driven by escalating attacks by  gangs on populated areas, which have led to record-level displacements and contributed to over half of the Haitian population facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

In these dire circumstances, we call for full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need. 

Furthermore, we reiterate our condemnation, in particular, of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, most often targeting women and girls, as a weapon to instill fear and control communities. We express alarm at the levels of forced recruitment and use of children by gangs, calling upon the Haitian authorities to prioritize the safety and protection of all children, and to support the rehabilitation and social integration of those who have been recruited.

We welcome the recent decision by the Haitian authorities to establish specialized judicial units to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including sexual violence, as a promising step toward the much-needed strengthening of a criminal justice system. System capable of bringing perpetrators to justice in accordance with the rule of law and addressing widespread impunity.

We also support targeted Council sanctions against perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence and the recruitment of children, as a continuation of existing designations.

Mr. President, to conclude, this Council should do its utmost to help people of Haiti restore their path towards peace, security and stability.

Thank you.

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