UN chief warns ‘Haitians’ at risk, calls global force to combat gang violence

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 2nd July. UN head António Guterres on Saturday in Port-au-Prince expressed solidarity with the Haitian people “facing a terrible and mutually reinforcing cycle of crises” and urged deployment of an international force to assist the National Police in combating gang violence.

He expressed deep concern at the extreme vulnerability faced by the Haitian people – especially women and girls because of brutally violent and “predatory” armed gangs, like those encircling the capital, blocking main roads and controlling access to water, food, and health care.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the widespread sexual violence which the armed gangs have used as a weapon to instil fear,” he said.

Mr. Guterres called on the entire international community to urgently “put the victims and the civilian population at the centre of our concerns and priorities.”

He said that lasting and fully representative political solutions in Haiti would be impossible without a drastic improvement in the security situation as he was speaking to reporters in Port-au-Prince.

SG warned “Every day counts. If we do not act now, instability and violence will have a lasting impact on generations of Haitians.”

He called on all partners to increase their support for the national police in the form of financing, training or equipment.

He added such assistance alone might not be enough to restore the authority of the State.

Guterres emphasized “I continue to urge the Security Council to authorize the immediate deployment of a robust international force to assist the Haitian National Police in its fight against the gangs,”.

He met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the High Transitional Council, members of civil society and the political parties and spoke on the need for ‘a political entente to end the crisis.

“I call on all actors to create the conditions necessary for the restoration of democratic institutions,” said Mr. Guterres.

He invited all parties involved to “rise above personal interests and make concessions” enabling emergence of a common vision and setting a viable and credible electoral pathway.

He commended the recent inter-Haitian talks, facilitated by the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group to reach agreement on the formation of a national unity government and the expansion of the High Transitional Council.

“Only an inclusive national dialogue with the full participation of women and young people – will help end the insecurity and find lasting political solutions,” Mr. Guterres said.

He added that the UN Integrated Office in Haiti and the entire UN system would continue to back these efforts.

He also met local men and women.

“I felt all the exhaustion of a people who have long been grappling with a cascade of crises and unacceptable living conditions. I listened to their call for help,” he said.

Guterres noted that one in two Haitians lives in extreme poverty, suffers from hunger, and does not have regular access to drinking water.

He reiterated UN humanitarian response plan which requires $720 million to assist over 3 million people, is only 23 percent funded.

He appealed to the international community that Haitian people are facing such grave challenges.

Guterres stated that it is a matter of solidarity and moral justice” that the international community step up.

He commended the courage and dedication of humanitarian workers who provide assistance despite many obstacles and asked all stakeholders to uphold human rights and international law and to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need in Haiti.

He stated only inclusive and sustainable development will help to break the historical cycle of crises and address the humanitarian and security challenges, and create a stable constitutional and political environment.

“No solution can be found without the Haitian people,” he said.

He acknowledged that the scale of the problems demands the full support of the international community.

Guterres said he is heading on Sunday to Trinidad and Tobago, where will participate in the Caribbean Community Summit..