Mr President, distinguished members of the Council,

1. It is an honor to once again provide you with an update on the situation in Haiti where, amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation, discussions on the country’s future governance arrangements remain stalled in a prolonged stalemate.

2. Since I last informed you, the grip with which the gangs control large swaths of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area has become increasingly tighter as their areas of influence expand inexorably. Kidnappings and intentional homicides increased by 36 and 17% respectively compared to the last five months of 2021. In May alone, the Haiti National Police reported 201 intentional homicides and 198 kidnappings, an average for each of nearly of 7 cases per day. The horrific violence that took place in the suburbs of CitéSoleil, Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre in late April and early May, during which women and girls were particularly exposed to sexual violence, is only an example of the state of terror in which the Haitian political and economic heart is plunged.

3. Dozens of schools, medical centers, businesses and markets have been forced to close. Many people are trapped in their neighborhoods or even sometimes in their residences. At least 17,000 other people have been displaced from their homes, and many are struggling to find basic necessities such as food, water and medicine. In addition, traffic along the main national roads linking the capital to the rest of the country is seriously compromised as the gangs have erected barricades to restrict access to areas under their control, thus seriously affecting the movement of goods throughout the country. .

4. The generalized and growing feeling of insecurity, exacerbated by the apparent inability of the PNH to deal with the situation and the manifest impunity with which criminal acts are committed, dangerously undermines the rule of law in the country. Less than a week ago, the trial court in Port-au-Prince was invaded by a local gang who then proceeded to loot and burn records and exhibits. In some parts of the country, vigilante acts against suspected gang members are increasingly gaining popular support.

5. More than ever, Haiti needs immediate assistance to develop its national police and combat growing crime and violence. The PNH currently lacks human, material and financial resources to effectively fulfill its mandate. Its limited operational and logistical capabilities undermine the implementation of a comprehensive public security agenda that relies on intelligence-led policing and violence reduction. It is therefore with great urgency that I call on Member States to provide greater support and contribute to the new basket fund managed by the UNDP and intended to support the PNH and help it meet the challenges it faces. confronted.

Mister President,

6. The acute instability currently affecting Haiti stems in large part from its prolonged institutional vacuum. The country has been without a functioning parliament for two and a half years, was appalled by the assassination of its president almost a year ago and suffers from an almost total paralysis of its judicial sector.

7. To date, multiple initiatives and proposals aimed at fostering a common vision among national stakeholders as to how Haiti can move forward have yielded few concrete results. On the contrary, previously homogeneous coalitions began to fracture. Amid growing political polarization, the BUNH is intensely focused on reviving cross-party contact at all levels, including through a series of informal gatherings aimed at encouraging consensus on the road to elections.

1. In late March, a civil society-led “tripartite committee” was formed to broaden consensus across various political platforms, including the government, to chart a common path. In parallel, Prime Minister Henry had direct talks with the leaders of the Montana group. , which proposed new modalities to relaunch formal negotiations. Yet with the formation of a new Provisional Electoral Council still a frustrating prospect, and the body having effectively ceased to function for many months, it is highly unlikely that elections that would usher in a return to democratic governance will take place this year. .

9. The stalled investigation into the assassination of the late President Moïse – to which a fifth judge in 11 months was recently assigned – illustrates the deep-rooted problems affecting the Haitian judicial system, a branch crippled by limited financial and material resources , frequent strikes by judicial personnel, and the deterioration of the security situation. Resolute efforts are needed not only to enable the courts to process and adjudicate a myriad of pending cases, but also to ensure that levels of prolonged pre-trial detention are sustainably reduced.

10. It is urgent that the Government and the judicial institutions concerned find a consensus on the appointment of judges of the Court of Cassation to allow the highest court in Haiti to resume its activities. In addition, every effort should be made to prepare and effectively implement the long-standing reform of the penal code which aims to further align the Haitian legal framework with international norms and standards.

Distinguished Board Members,

11. Protracted insecurity and protracted political uncertainty, combined with a dire economic situation and growing humanitarian needs, are seriously hampering the socio-economic development of the country, deepening economic inequalities and undermining peacebuilding efforts.

1. With gross domestic product contracting by 1.8% in 2021 due to lower government revenues, Haiti’s economic situation remains a serious cause for concern. Meanwhile, humanitarian needs continue to grow, especially following the earthquake that devastated the Southern Peninsula last August. This year, some 4.9 million Haitians are expected to require humanitarian assistance, and at least 4.5 million people are expected to require emergency food assistance.

13. It is essential that Haiti remains at the forefront of the international community’s agenda and that national authorities receive the assistance they need to meet these interrelated challenges. Nevertheless, only Haitians hold the key to unlocking lasting solutions to the country’s protracted crisis. BINUH will continue to encourage all parties to constructively engage and come together to chart a common and consensual path to a return to democracy.

14. Similarly, within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the peace and security and development branches of the United Nations will continue to work hand in hand to help Haiti move from emergency aid to longer-term stability and sustainable development.

Thanks