Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on the situation in Haiti
We thank SRSG Helen La Lime for the briefing on the situation in Haiti and the work of United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti.
Tension in Haiti has been increasing in the recent months, which raises our grave concerns. We are convinced that the root cause of this is the lack of progress of the internal dialogue between society and the political forces, which has in fact paralyzed the legislative branch of power. This affected Haiti’s ability to address pressing daily tasks in an effective manner, first of all to ensure safety and security of the population. As a result, criminal elements became more active. Finally, COVID-19 pandemic added to all these challenges.
The situation in Haiti today is characterized by a profound crisis that shows itself in political volatility, rampancy of criminal clans, confrontation among the public, acute economic, energy-related, migration, and humanitarian problems. There is a “vacuum of power” at all levels, as governmental mechanisms have no control of the situation, judiciary system has been paralyzed and law enforcement is little effective.
We note the efforts taken by the government of Ariel Henry in order to drive various public forces towards a compromise so that the situation in Haiti could be stabilized and reform process could commence. However, it is too early to speak of any progress at this point.
Against this backdrop, we receive worrisome reports that Haiti is flooded with small arms which as we know the country does not manufacture. It means that the only possible route for SALW influx is through the sea ports, full control of which the government yet has to recover. Otherwise the problem of outrage of criminal groups can transform from a security threat into a political factor that will be impossible to ignore.
We regret to say that there is no tangible progress in investigating the murder of President Jovenel Moise in July last year. We are concerned by the reports indicating that there may be a foreign trace in this crime which Secretary-General of the UN rightly called “an attack on democracy”. The guilty must be held duly accountable.
The whole set of Haiti’s problems needs to be addressed urgently, starting from the central one – political stabilization. It can only be achieved through dialogue based on the effective legislation that should pave the way towards elections, confidence building, and growing support from broader population. If this is not done, the country risks plunging into the abyss, which would postpone recovery and development for many years.
We call upon the Haitians to establish internal dialogue promptly in order to find a way out of crisis. BINUH should not only help with this, but make it a top priority. Port-au-Prince needs responsible international support which should prevent further divisions in the society and humanitarian deterioration into a regional humanitarian crisis.
Russia, together with its partners in the UNSC, will keep working to ensure that the international UN-based assistance to Haiti brings true normalization, strengthens sovereignty and self-reliance of this country.
Thank you.
