UNSC Emergency Meeting on Haiti

[26 September 2019]

Approved India Statement 

Thank You Mr. President. I also thank Special Representative Helen la Lime for her remarks.

2.    In our last meeting in June this year, we had expressed our concern that the political and security situation in Haiti remained precarious. The Haitian political stakeholders had not been able to reach any agreement on the transition, the restoration of functioning institutions, or the holding of elections. The dire humanitarian situation had been further complicated by prevailing economic stagnation.

3.    Three months on from the June meeting, civil unrest in the country has continued. The persisting gang-related violence, kidnappings, including in the capital Port-au-Prince has further contributed to insecurity. UN programmes are on hold due to roadblocks, demonstrations and limited access to fuel. We are also closely monitoring the situation concerning Indian citizens currently caught in the conflict zone, from our Embassy in the Dominican Republic.

4.    We continue to believe that security solutions for Haiti, in order to be sustainable, must be Haitian owned and Haitian led. Capacity building for the Haitian National Police must remain a priority. In July when this Council had unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2645 renewing the mandate of United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) by one more year, we had worked with other nations, including Council members from the region, to reflect a rise in police and correction units to 42 civilian and seconded personnel as part of the mandate renewal for BINUH.

5.    No solutions to the political, socio-economic and security crisis will emerge without the direct involvement of Haiti and its neighbors. We therefore continue to welcome the engagement of regional partners, CARICOM and Canada, and Haiti’s neighbor, the Dominican Republic, on issues of immediate concern including capacity building initiatives for the Haitian National Police and controlling the flow of small and light arms into Haiti. 

Mr. President,

6.     India firmly believes in the pursuit of peace. In the past, and as the Council is well aware, we have contributed to capacity building and training initiatives for Haiti. We stand ready to do so again, and all we can do to help our Haitian brothers and sisters, in their hour of need. I Thank You.

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