Statement by Mr.Petr Illiichev, First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, at the Security Council on the situation concerning Haiti
We are grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti Sandra Honoré for her presentation of the report of the SecretaryGeneral (S/2017/840), as well as her assessment of the situation in the country on the eve of the transition to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH).
We agree that since the adoption of resolution 2350 (2017) in April, there have been positive developments in the country, made possible thanks to the efforts of the Government and the President, with the support of the international community.
We are pleased to note that the Secretary-General’s report indicates that the withdrawal of the military component and the reduction of United Nations police personnel have not negatively affected the security situation. Nevertheless, the statistics provided by the report pertaining to crime on the island continue to be a cause for serious concern.
Despite the improvements in certain indicators, the Haitian National Police, supported by Blue Helmets, should continue to consider that to be a matter of the highest priority as one of the key components for ultimately normalizing life in the country. We hope that the timely and coherent implementation of the 2017-2021 strategic development plan for the national police will contribute to that.
We have carefully reviewed the information in the report concerning the progress made in transitioning from the Stabilization Mission to the Mission for Justice Support, which will begin operating on 16 October. With respect to delegating responsibilities to the Mission and the country team, we believe that, while supporting the Government of Haiti in the various areas of governance, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator should be guided by the main provisions of the mandate that had been given to the Stabilization Mission, as well as by the primary principle of national ownership. That also applies to the new Mission. Its conscientious support is extremely important for the Government, which should become increasingly independent every day, in terms of both defining its priorities and implementing peacebuilding tasks in Haiti.
In that regard, we fully agree with the conclusion of the report that programmes in the areas of security, policy and development must be framed by the Government and be based on the views of the population. Moreover, of no less importance, all national stakeholders should have a sense of shared responsibility for sustaining peace.
The top priority of national ownership, with the support of the international community where absolutely necessary, is confirmed not only in the part of the report concerning the legacy of the Stabilization Mission but also by experience, and one of the most striking examples of that is in the neighbouring country of Colombia.
In conclusion, we would like once again to express our support for the Government and the people of Haiti, which is on the path to stability and prosperity while overcoming not only internal disagreements but also the devastating consequences of the natural disasters of September, namely, Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The Caribbean region has historically been vulnerable to a complex natural environment. In order to overcome the environmental risks more expeditiously, a strong Government and a cohesive society are necessary, which through joint efforts will allow for restoring, building and strengthening Haiti’s potential.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Ms. Sandra Honoré and all the previous Heads of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti for their contribution to the progress achieved by the host country with the support of the international community.
