PRST/6/1 Situation of human rights in Haiti

Human Rights Council

President’s Statement 6/PRST/1. Situation of human rights in Haiti

At the 21st meeting, on 28 September 2007, the President of the Council made

a statement reading as follows:

1. The Human Rights Council welcomes the return to the rule of

constitutional law in the Republic of Haiti, as evidenced by the election of the

President of the Republic, the restoration of an elected Parliament, the appointment,

endorsed by Parliament, of a Prime Minister, and the holding of municipal elections.

2. The Council commends the Haitian authorities on their commitment

and efforts to improve living conditions for Haitians through measures such as greater

regard for human rights and cooperation between the Haitian National Police and the

United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in curbing violence.

3. The Council is nonetheless aware of the many challenges that Haiti is

facing. It encourages the international community to continue supporting the efforts of

the elected authorities, and encourages those authorities to make use of the resources

and expertise placed at their disposal.

4. The Council takes note of the difficulties encountered and the efforts

made by the Haitian authorities.

5. While still concerned at the persistent criminal activity in some parts of

the country, the Council notes with satisfaction the steps taken to counter corruption

and drug-trafficking. It welcomes current efforts to correct irregularities in the police

and justice systems, and encourages the Haitian authorities to continue them, bringing

to fruition their plans for stronger inspection units within the police and justice

systems, regulations to govern the judiciary, the establishment of a High Council of

the Judiciary and the reopening of the Judicial Training College, an end to prolonged

detention and improved conditions in detention, the introduction of a legal aid scheme

and better staffed forensic science and forensic medical services. It notes with

satisfaction the proposal for a steady improvement in relations between the Office of

Citizen Protection and the MINUSTAH Human Rights Section.

6. The Council also welcomes the Haitian authorities’ plans to pass a

series of laws on the status of women and reforms of the civil registry and land

registry systems.

7. The Council encourages the international community to step up its

activities in all these areas and in human rights training and education for the security

forces.

8. The Council thanks the independent expert appointed by the Secretary-

General to consider the human rights situation in Haiti for his report (A/HRC/4/3). It

encourages the expert to continue his mission and report thereon to the Council at its

eighth session. It encourages the Haitian authorities to continue to cooperate with the

independent expert and put his recommendations into effect.

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