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Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2012/678)

Countries
Haiti
Sources
UN SC
Publication date
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I. Introduction

1 . By its resolution 2012 (2011), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) until 15 October 2012, and requested me to report on its implementation semi-annually and not later than 45 days prior to its expiration. The present report covers major developments from the issuance of my report of 29 February 2012 (S/2012/128) until 31 August 2012, and outlines activities undertaken by the Mission in line with its mandate under Security Council resolutions 1542 (2004), 1608 (2005), 1702 (2006), 1743 (2007), 1780 (2007), 1840 (2008), 1892 (2009), 1908 (2010), 1927 (2010), 1944 (2010) and 2012 (2011).

II. Political and security update

Political situation

2 . During the reporting period, a number of long-awaited political milestones were reached, indicating that the process of stabilization continues to progress in Haiti. The achievements included the ratification by the Senate of a new Prime Minister and the publication of the corrected version of the constitutional amendments that had been pending since June 2011. The establishment of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (provided for in a 2007 law to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, but only now constituted) represents a further stride by the Government in strengthening rule of law institutions. The process to establish the country’s first Permanent Electoral Council has, however, been mired in controversy, with some political parties represented in Parliament and civil society leaders questioning the integrity of the Council and its ability to organize credible elections.

3 . On 17 April, a group of members of the former armed forces and young recruits, some of whom were carrying small arms, assembled in front of Parliament to request an audience with legislators regarding the purported plan of the Haitian National Police to forcefully dislodge them from sites that they had illegally occupied throughout the country. On 18 April, the President of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly, condemned the incident, calling for public order. In response to their demand for the reinstatement of the army and the disbursement of severance payments, he emphasized that, while the establishment of a second security force continued to be one of his priorities, it could be done only with full respect for the law. The following day, at a meeting of the Superior Council of the Haitian National Police chaired by the caretaker Prime Minister, Garry Conille, it was agreed that the situation would be resolved through negotiation. The possible use of more robust measures was also explored. As an auxiliary measure, on 6 May, MINUSTAH launched Operation Sunrise, intended to curtail the movement of people carrying illegal weapons. On 18 May, two days after the installation of the new Government, the police, supported by MINUSTAH, proceeded to vacate the 10 main occupied sites throughout the country. The operation was conducted without incidents or casualties. In June, the authorities brought to an end the group’s illegal activities.