Haiti

(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council today extended the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) through mid-October 2008 while reducing its military component and increasing police in order to adjust to changing circumstances in the country, where civil unrest remains a threat but gang violence has been significantly curtailed. … The Council endorsed Mr. Ban’s proposal to reduce the Mission’s military force level by one company, or some 140 troops, while increasing the police component with one additional formed police unit of up to 140 officers for a total authorized strength of 2,091 police.

(Quelle: NZZ) Drei Jahre nach der Landung der Blauhelmsoldaten ist die Macht der kriminellen Banden in Haiti gebrochen. Eine gemässigte Regierung versucht, die gespaltene Nation zu versöhnen und die Institutionen des Staates, vorab die Polizei und die Justiz, wiederaufzubauen. «C'est un autre monde» – von einer anderen Welt spricht die Vertreterin des Internationalen Komitees vom Roten Kreuz, die am Eingang zu Cité Soleil eine Gruppe von Journalisten empfängt.

(Quelle: Reliefweb) More than three years into their mission in Haiti, United Nations peacekeepers say they have broken a wave of violence and crime across the Caribbean nation. Many Haitians say the U.N. force has improved security conditions but they also say opportunities for jobs and development still remain scarce.

(Quelle: Reliefweb) Douze ans après sa création, la Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH) a déjà formé 18 promotions. L’effectif est passé de 354 à 8.000 agents de police au cours de cette période. La Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en Haïti (MINUSTAH) et la communauté internationale continuent de déployer des efforts pour renforcer le professionnalisme des policiers haïtiens.

(Quelle: UN News) Defence ministers and military officers from Latin American countries contributing troops to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti are at present visiting the Caribbean country to discuss security and other issues linked to the extension of the mission’s mandate, including strengthening the national police force. … Issues discussed including reinforcement of the national police, reform of the judicial system, strengthening legal institutions and the battle against corruption and drug trafficking. The need to promote development also figured on the agenda.

(Quelle: The Miami Herald) U.N. Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon said Wednesday he will recommend peacekeepers stay in Haiti for at least another year and urged world donors to redouble efforts to ensure the impoverished nation does not backslide into chaos. … Despite the improved security, U.N. officials say gangs, drug trafficking and poverty are still a threat to the country and that peacekeepers will be needed at least until Preval's term ends in 2011.

(Quelle: UN News) Aiming to strengthen the economy in Haiti and promote stability there, a team from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is calling for investment in tourism, agriculture and the textile and assembly industry. In a report presented to ECOSOC today, the Ad Hoc Advisory Group dispatched by the Council to Haiti in April also called for strengthening public institutions in order to enable Haiti to optimize the major contributions announced by donor countries in recent months.

(Quelle: UN News) Endorsing the recent efforts of the Haitian Government and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the impoverished Caribbean country to tackle gang violence and reform the national police, the Security Council today called for further measures to improve the justice system. … The Council voiced appreciation “for the ongoing efforts by MINUSTAH in supporting the Haitian National Police (HNP) in the fight against gang violence as well as the efforts to implement the HNP reform plan, in particular the beginning of the vetting process, and encouraged further efforts to advance the reform of the justice system.”

(Quelle: UN News) The senior United Nations envoy to Haiti has congratulated the country’s people on the successful conclusion of a number of local, municipal and legislative elections which culminated a three-round process as part of broader efforts to consolidate democracy in the Caribbean country. … More than 300,000 voters in 25 communities exercised their democratic right in 69 voting centres and 770 polling stations to choose their representatives. With logistical and security support provided by MINUSTAH to the CEP and the Haitian National Police, all polling stations opened on time, allowing voters access to the polling booths, the mission said in a news release.

(Quelle: UN News) Just returned from a mission to Haiti, the leader of a team from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today painted a mixed picture of the Caribbean country, which has experienced greater political stability and security in recent months but still faces numerous development challenges which he said must be met through a determined international response. “Our goal is to promote recovery and stability and to ensure that Haiti receives the sustained, long-term international support that it needs,” said Ambassador John McNee of Canada. … Mr. McNee tempered his optimism with a note of caution. “In fairness, we should stress the fragility of the situation and the huge challenge. It is one thing to take on the gangs in this area – the real challenge is finding employment and economic growth that will give people incentive to take a peaceful path, not a criminal path.”