P-to-P, April 23, 2024 [AlterPresse] — The special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (Binuh), Maria Isabel Salvador, expresses her concern about “some of the worst scenarios” becoming reality in Haiti, recently, during a presentation by videoconference before the United Nations Security Council, on Monday April 22, 2024 and followed by AlterPresse.
It reports, at the beginning of March 2024, coordinated attacks by armed gangs targeting key state infrastructure, including several police stations and two of the main prisons in Port-au-Prince, as well as prison establishments. education and health and religious sites.
She mentions the looting of the Faculty of Medicine of the State University of Haiti (UEH), during an attack last week.
She evokes a “dramatic, unprecedented and endless spiral of violence” in the country.
Many victims were recorded during regular attacks launched by gangs against the presidential palace, giving rise to violent clashes with the Haitian National Police.
Gang attacks on state infrastructure “have further weakened state institutions and worsened already critical challenges to the restoration of the rule of law,” notes Binuh.
Despite immense efforts made by the Haitian National Police (Pnh), aided by the modest Armed Forces of Haiti (Fad’h) and advised by Binuh as well as other international partners to contain the spiral of violence in the country, Maria Isabel Salvador points out how “the seriousness of the current crisis highlights the capacity gaps within national structures and the urgent need for international assistance, notably through the immediate deployment of the Multinational Mission of security support (Mmas).
The head of Binuh insists on the need to help Haiti in its efforts to restore security, while stressing the importance of the urgent deployment of the Mmas, authorized by the United Nations Security Council since Monday October 2, 2023.
This authorization follows a robust request for assistance, formulated on October 7, 2022 by the de facto government in favor of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in the fight against armed gangs.
While encouraging the international community to continue to stand in solidarity with the Haitian people, it urges all Member States to continue funding the humanitarian response plan at this very critical and unique moment for Haiti, and without further delay to confirm the necessary contributions to the deployment of the multinational mission in Haiti.
“The sanctions regime is also an effective tool to deter destabilization attempts by troublemakers and criminals, in favor of transparent political and democratic progress.”
The UN Security Council unanimously voted, on Friday, October 21, 2022, for a resolution establishing “a specific sanctions regime, targeting the leaders of armed gangs operating in Haiti and all those who support them”in finance and in weapons.
During the first quarter of 2024 (January to March 2024), approximately 2,500 people have been killed or injured due to gang violencean increase of 53% compared to the previous period, according to a Binuh report, published on Friday April 19.
Since March 8, nearly 100,000 Haitians have left Port-au-Prince to take refuge in different departments, fleeing gang violence in search of safety, deplores the special representative of the UN Secretary General. [emb apr 23/04/2024 10 :45].
