Chapter III Americas

During 2007, the United Nations continued to ad- Reflecting on other developments in the region, vance the cause of lasting peace, human rights, the General Assembly again called on States to refrain sustainable development and the rule of law in the from promulgating laws and measures such as the on- Americas. To that end, the International Commission going embargo against Cuba by the United States. against Impunity was established in Guatemala in the course of the year, pursuant to a 2006 agreement be- tween the Government and the United Nations. Central America In Haiti, despite continuing challenges relating to the political and security situation, progress was made with the Parliament’s adoption in January of the State budget and necessary legislation, and with municipal In 2007, Central America continued to consolidate and local elections held in April with the support of peace and to build democratic and equitable socie- the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti ties, for which years of successful UN peacemaking (minustah). In other action to stabilize the country, efforts had laid a promising foundation. Related UN the Government launched campaigns against corrup- initiatives continued in the region through develop- tion and drug trafficking, established a committee on ment programming, good offices and other means. In judicial reform and adopted in December three key commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the laws designed to strengthen the judiciary. Despite Esquipulas II Agreement, concluded in 1987 to con- those gains, the relationship between the Government tain regional conflicts and promote national reconcili- and Parliament did not improve and, as at year’s end, ation [YUN 1987, p. 188], a conference was held entitled the political situation remained fragile owing mainly “A Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America: The to continuing political divisions, weak State institu- Pending Agenda 20 Years Later” (New York, 13 June), tions and the lack of improvement in the difficult liv- which focused on the region’s challenges, including ing conditions of the people. Further tensions resulted in the areas of public security, development, human from a deterioration in security conditions, including rights, drug trafficking, and gang and youth violence. a rise in the number of kidnappings. Also of major In his remarks to the conference, the Secretary-General concern in that regard were the activities of gangs and noted that daunting challenges remained in reaching anti-Government demonstrations in protest of the ris- the Millennium Development Goals in the region, as ing cost of living, which prompted a series of joint the progress achieved had been offset by high levels security operations by the Haitian National Police of income inequality. Highlighting additional obsta- (hnp) and minustah to restore State authority. While cles to regional development posed by crime, partly progress was maintained towards strengthening hnp, fuelled by the drug trade and easy access to illicit small with minustah support, the national police capac- arms, he stressed the need to make the fight against ity remained below the level required to ensure law poverty and extreme social inequality a regional prior- and order in the country. Against that background, minustah conducted, in the course of the year, a de- ity and pledged UN readiness to assist the people and tailed threat assessment and identified three security Governments of Central America, particularly in the risks facing Haiti, among them, the likelihood of civil areas of security, development and human rights. A unrest owing mostly to a deep socio-economic divide, step towards further consolidation of peace in Central a considerable potential for renewed armed violence America was taken in October with the signing of the within the country and illicit traffic in drugs, arms Managua Declaration, by which the regional leaders and contraband, which would continue to corrupt pledged to enhance collaboration in strengthening State institutions. In line with the recommendations regional and international peace and development. made by the Secretary-General following his August The Assembly, by decision 62/546 of 22 December, visit to Haiti, the Mission’s military component was decided that the item entitled “The situation in Central reconfigured to reflect the changing circumstances America: progress in fashioning a region of peace, free- and priorities, which included enhancement of its ca- dom, democracy and development” would remain for pabilities in border control, engineering and mobility, consideration during its resumed sixty-second (2008) while decreasing its infantry capabilities. session.

307 308 Political and security questions

Guatemala ticularly in urban areas previously controlled by gangs, the Haitian National Police (hnp) and minustah con- In September, Guatemala informed the General ducted a series of joint operations between December Assembly that, pursuant to its announced intention 2006 and July 2007, which restored State authority in to create a Commission for the Investigation of Illegal problem areas and improved the overall security envi- Groups and Clandestine Security Apparatuses, which ronment. A detailed threat assessment conducted by the Assembly noted in resolution 58/239 [YUN 2003, minustah in July identified three security risks facing p. 276], and consistent with its 2006 agreement with Haiti, including likelihood of civil unrest, increased by the United Nations [YUN 2006, p. 341], the country a persistent and deep socio-economic divide; the po- had established the International Commission against tential for renewed armed violence within the country; Impunity in Guatemala (cicig), in association with and the illicit traffic in drugs, arms and contraband, the United Nations and with the support of the Gua- which would continue to corrupt State institutions if temalan Congress. Following the agreement’s entry not addressed. Despite marginal improvements in hnp into force on 4 September, the Secretary-General ap- capability, it remained unable to undertake crucial se- pointed Carlos Castresana Fernández (Spain) as Head curity tasks unaided, resulting in the continuing need of cicig. of minustah security forces to undertake key man- dated activities to ensure a safe and secure environ- ment and to shore up the gains made. Accordingly, the Haiti Secretary-General recommended in an August report [S/2007/503] that adjustments be made to the composi- tion of minustah’s military and police components to reflect the changing circumstances and priorities, Political and security situation including the enhancement of its military capabilities in border control, engineering and mobility, while In 2007, although the political and security situ- decreasing its infantry capabilities. ation in Haiti remained challenging, some progress In addition to providing security support, includ- was made during the first ordinary session of Parlia- ment in January, when the legislature adopted the ing by helping foster integrated border management State budget, passed five bills on State loans and and reducing community violence fuelled by the prev- development programmes and ratified four interna- alence of small arms, minustah facilitated the reform tional conventions. Other encouraging developments of rule-of-law structures, particularly the strengthen- included municipal and local elections, held in April ing of hnp and the judicial and prison systems. It also with minustah support, and the Government’s rela- monitored, among other things, the human rights tive improvement of the economic situation and ad- situation and supported humanitarian recovery and vancement of the rule of law through the promotion development. of judicial reform and other initiatives to curb cor- ruption and drug trafficking. National dialogue In June, the committee on judicial reform made 18 and reconciliation process recommendations for reforming the judicial system, with a road map for implementing them, and, in De- In 2007, President Préval continued to maintain cember, judicial reform was further advanced with the his multiparty Government through continued dia- promulgation of three key laws relating to the inde- logue with political parties, legislators and civil so- pendence of the judiciary and the status of magistrates. ciety representatives. However, the relationship be- Also in December, President René Préval appointed tween the Government and the Parliament remained the members of a new Provisional Electoral Council in strained owing to the lower house’s attempt to replace preparation for senatorial elections to be held in 2008. the Prime Minister. Political blocs in the Parliament Despite those gains, the relationship between the Gov- continued to fluctuate, and increasing absenteeism ernment and Parliament remained strained, and the frequently resulted in the postponement of sessions. general political situation fragile, owing to continu- Minustah cooperated closely with the Government ing political divisions, weak State institutions and the and legislators, facilitated contacts between the Par- lack of any significant improvement in the difficult -liv liament, civil society and local government and sup- ing conditions of much of the population. To address ported thematic meetings between parliamentarians those difficulties minustah maintained efforts dur- and the international community. ing the year to help improve the effectiveness of State Considering the security environment, despite the governance institutions, including the strengthening successful conduct of three rounds of elections the of the internal organization of Parliament. To address previous year, the security situation remained vola- the security situation, which remained precarious, par- tile in 2007, especially with regard to gang activities. Americas 309

Dialogue with members of armed groups initiated by Expressing its appreciation to the United Nations Stabili- the Government in July 2006 and aimed at achieving zation Mission in Haiti, a key actor in the ongoing stabiliza- voluntary disarmament proved unfruitful, prompting tion of the country, for continuing to assist the Government Haitian authorities and minustah to increase pres- of Haiti to ensure a secure and stable environment, and sure on gangs. A series of intensive and intelligence- welcoming the close collaboration that has developed in this regard, driven operations in urban areas under gang control, Emphasizing the role of the regional organizations in particularly in Port-au-Prince and Gonaïves, restored the ongoing process of stabilization and reconstruction of State authority in those areas. Violence resulting from Haiti, and calling upon the Mission to continue to work gang rivalry was another cause for concern, given that closely with the Organization of American States and the in January alone 29 bodies were discovered in Martis- Caribbean Community, sant. Targeted arrests by minustah and hnp resulted Emphasizing also that a combination of measures are in a significant reduction in the level of violence, and necessary to effectively disarm, demobilize and reintegrate an office was established collocating minustah mili- gang members, and encouraging the Government of Haiti, tary, police and civilian components with hnp. Secu- in coordination with the international community, to rity sector reform and efforts to strengthen the capacity accelerate efforts towards this end, of hnp continued, and on 18 January, some 220 hnp Calling upon the Government of Haiti, in coordination officers entered the vetting programme in Jérémie. with the international community, to maintain momentum behind security sector reform, in particular the Haitian Na- Security Council consideration. On 15 Febru- tional Police Reform Plan, as well as efforts to reform the ary [meeting 5631], the Security Council, following its judiciary and correctional systems, including by addressing consideration of the situation in Haiti, adopted resolu- prolonged pretrial detentions and prison overcrowding tion 1743(2007) (see below), extending the minustah and by putting an end to impunity, mandate and calling on the Mission to support the Encouraging the development by the Haitian authorities, constitutional and political process, promote all-inclu- with the support of donors and regional organizations, of sive dialogue and national reconciliation, and increase permanent and effective electoral institutions, its operations in support of hnp against armed gangs. Urging the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the international community, to establish a unified justice SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION sector reform strategy encompassing merging of resources and joint planning, On 15 February [meeting 5631], the Security Coun- Underlining the need for the quick implementation of cil unanimously adopted resolution 1743(2007). The highly effective and visible labour-intensive projects that help draft [S/2007/88] was prepared in consultation with to create jobs and deliver basic social services, and empha- Council members. sizing the importance of quick-impact projects in the post- electoral phase, The Security Council, Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particu- Acknowledging the laudable work done by the Haitian lar resolutions 1542(2004) of 30 April 2004, 1576(2004) authorities and the Mission to respond to the needs of of 29 November 2004, 1608(2005) of 22 June 2005, disaster-affected people, and welcoming future coordinated 1658(2006) of 14 February 2006 and 1702(2006) of actions in this regard, 15 August 2006, as well as the relevant statements by its Expressing its gratitude to the troops and police personnel President, of the Mission and to their countries, and paying tribute to Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, those injured or killed in the line of duty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti, Stressing that the Haitian people and their Government Welcoming the progress achieved in Haiti’s political hold primary responsibility for achieving stability, social process, including through the successful holding of na- and economic development and law and order in their tional, municipal and local elections in 2006, and reiterat- country, and recognizing the commitment of the Govern- ing its appeal to the Government of Haiti and all Haitians ment of Haiti to its people and to international partners, to continue to pursue all-inclusive political dialogue and Determining that the situation in Haiti continues to national reconciliation in order to strengthen democratic constitute a threat to international peace and security in governance, the region, despite the progress achieved thus far, Recognizing the interconnected nature of the challenges Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United in Haiti, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, Nations, as described in section I of paragraph 7 of resolu- the rule of law and institutional reform, national recon- tion 1542(2004), ciliation and development are mutually reinforcing, and 1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Na- welcoming the continuing efforts of the Government of tions Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as contained in its Haiti and the international community to address these resolutions 1542(2004), 1608(2005) and 1702(2006), until challenges, 15 October 2007, with the intention to renew for further Recognizing also that respect for human rights, due pro- periods; cess and addressing the issue of criminality and credible, 2. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of competent and transparent governance are essential to 19 December 2006, and takes note of the recommenda- ensuring security in Haiti, tions contained therein; 310 Political and security questions

3. Expresses its full support for the Special Representa- and vetting of all police personnel and the strengthening of tive of the Secretary-General for Haiti, notably in his efforts institutional capacities; to improve the security situation in close cooperation with 14. Requests the Mission to provide necessary support the Government of Haiti, and reaffirms his authority in the for the efforts of the Haitian authorities to reform the key coordination and conduct of all activities of United Nations elements of the justice and corrections sectors, closely syn- agencies, funds and programmes in Haiti; chronized with the plan for the reform and restructuring 4. Recognizes the ownership and primary responsibility of the Haitian National Police, consistent with its man- of the Government of Haiti over all aspects of the country’s date under resolution 1542(2004) and as further decided stabilization and good governance and recognizes the role in resolution 1702(2006), and encourages the Government of the Mission in supporting the efforts of the Government of Haiti to take full advantage of that support; in this regard, and encourages the Government of Haiti to 15. Reaffirms the human rights mandate of the Mis- continue to take full advantage of international support to sion, and calls upon the Haitian authorities to continue enhance its capacity; their efforts to promote and protect human rights; 5. Reaffirms its call upon the Mission to support the 16. Welcomes the policy of the Mission to promote and constitutional and political process under way in Haiti, in- protect the rights of women and to take into account gen- cluding through its good offices and, in cooperation with der considerations as set out in Security Council resolution the Government of Haiti, to promote all-inclusive political 1325(2000) of 31 October 2000 as a cross-cutting issue dialogue and national reconciliation; throughout its mandate and keep the Council informed; 6. Welcomes the continuing contribution by the Mis- 17. Strongly condemns the grave violations against chil- sion to capacity- and institution-building at all levels, dren affected by armed violence, as well as widespread rape and calls upon the Mission, consistent with its mandate, and other sexual abuse of girls; to expand such support to strengthen State institutions, 18. Underlines the importance of continued assistance especially outside Port-au-Prince, including through the to help to address the basic needs of Haiti’s population, provision of specialized expertise to key ministries; and in that regard takes note with appreciation of the Joint 7. Requests that the Mission continue the increased Communiqué of the International Conference for the Eco- tempo of operations in support of the Haitian National nomic and Social Development of Haiti, held in Madrid Police against armed gangs as deemed necessary to restore on 30 November 2006, and encourages donors to acceler- security, notably in Port-au-Prince, and encourages the ate the disbursement of their pledges as a contribution to Mission and the Government of Haiti to undertake coor- development and stability in Haiti; dinated deterrent actions to decrease the level of violence; 19. Calls upon the Mission to continue its efforts to 8. Requests the United Nations country team, and calls enhance its coordination with the United Nations country upon the humanitarian and development actors, to comple- team and the various development actors in Haiti in order ment security operations undertaken by the Government of to ensure greater efficiency in development efforts and to Haiti with the support of the Mission with activities aimed address urgent development problems; at effectively improving the living conditions of the con- 20. Calls upon the United Nations system and the in- cerned populations; ternational community, in particular donor countries, in 9. Requests the Mission to continue to implement cooperation with the Haitian authorities, to devise and sup- quick-impact projects; port a renewed aid coordination system, which would focus 10. Also requests, in this context, the Mission to acceler- on immediate needs as well as on long-term reconstruction ate efforts to reorient its disarmament, demobilization and and poverty reduction; reintegration resources towards a comprehensive commu- 21. Requests the Mission to maintain a proactive com- nity violence reduction programme as decided in resolution munications and public outreach strategy to improve public 1702(2006), in close coordination with the Government of understanding of the mandate and the role of the Mission Haiti and other relevant actors; in Haiti; 11. Deplores and condemns in the strongest terms any 22. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take attack against personnel from the Mission, and demands the necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all that no acts of intimidation or violence be directed against Mission personnel with the United Nations zero-tolerance United Nations and associated personnel and other interna- policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the tional and humanitarian organizations engaged in humani- Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries tarian, development or peacekeeping work; to ensure that acts involving their personnel are properly 12. Reaffirms the mandate of the Mission to provide investigated and punished; operational support to the Haitian Coast Guard, and invites 23. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the Member States, in coordination with the Mission, to engage Council on the implementation of the mandate of the Mis- with the Government of Haiti to address cross-border illicit sion semi-annually but no later than forty-five days prior to trafficking in drugs and arms, and other illegal activities; its expiration, and to include in his report a comprehensive 13. Welcomes progress in the implementation of the assessment of the security risks, challenges and priorities Haitian National Police Reform Plan, and requests the facing Haiti, including specific recommendations on how Mission to remain engaged in assisting the Government to accelerate the peacebuilding process, build institutional of Haiti to reform and restructure the Haitian National capacity in the security and justice sectors and achieve dis- Police, consistent with its mandate, including by increasing armament, demobilization and reintegration in Haiti; momentum behind the monitoring, mentoring, training 24. Decides to remain seized of the matter. Americas 311

Security operations. Minustah and hnp con- nustah’s work in facilitating the country’s successful ducted a total of 19 security operations in Cité Soleil 2006 elections. The Council looked forward to mi- and Martissant between 22 December 2006 and 28 nustah also providing security and logistics support February 2007, which dislodged the main gang lead- for the senate elections scheduled later in 2007. ers in those areas. Those operations, together with joint operations throughout the country, led to the Further political and security developments arrest of some 850 alleged gang members by the end of July 2007. While six peacekeepers were injured in Report of Secretary-General. In August the initial and sustained counter-attacks launched by [S/2007/503], the Secretary-General reported that the the armed groups, resistance decreased markedly af- multiparty Government of President Préval, estab- ter two main gang leaders fled the area. As a result, lished in May 2006 [YUN 2006, p. 347], continued to hnp, supported by minustah, returned to those benefit from broad public support, particularly due areas to begin joint patrols in Cité Soleil. to improvements in security, and had achieved some economic progress, including the stabilization of the Municipal and local elections local currency and a reduction in inflation. Action was also taken in the areas of judicial reform and On 29 April, partial reruns for the local and mu- the fight against corruption and drug trafficking. nicipal elections were held without serious incident. Subsequent to a special public meeting on the re- Although some 300,000 citizens were eligible to vote, form of the rule-of-law institutions, convened by the voter turnout was uneven, ranging from less than 10 per President in March, an ad hoc committee on judicial cent to over 40 per cent. Minustah, together with reform was established. On 13 June, the committee electoral guards and hnp forces, provided logistical presented 18 recommendations for initiating the re- and administrative assistance to the Provisional Elec- form process, which was supported by the Independ- toral Council and ensured security. Based on the re- ent Expert of the Secretary-General on the situation sults of those and previous elections, members of the of human rights in Haiti, Louis Joinet (France) (see multiparty Government (Lespwa, Fusion, Organisa- p. 809). The committee also produced a road map tion du Peuple en Lutte, Union, Alyans and Fanmi with timelines, designed to facilitate the implemen- Lavalas) governed 93 of the country’s 140 municipali- tation of those recommendations. On 31 July and ties. The participation rate of women, both as voters 2 August, the Senate unanimously adopted two bills and as candidates, was higher than in previous elec- on the status of magistrates and the Superior Coun- tions, with 25 women elected as mayors, a significant cil, respectively, intended to provide a framework increase from the six elected in 2000. President Préval for combating corruption, impunity and ethical and extended his outreach efforts beyond the capital to disciplinary problems within the judiciary and, in ad- the municipalities and demonstrated interest in de- dition, establish arrangements for the certification of centralization and the empowerment of local govern- judges and prosecutors. President Préval had called ance. He encouraged deputy mayors to be proactive on Haitians in May to participate in fighting corrup- in increasing local revenue and fighting corruption. tion and to root out bribe-taking officials. The next However, the newly elected local authorities were con- month, the second largest seizure of illegal drugs in strained by inadequate resources and an incomplete the history of Haiti led to the arrest of a dozen indi- legal framework. In order to respond to urgent needs viduals, half of whom were police officers, followed and help local authorities deliver a minimum level of some weeks later with the arrest of four businessmen functioning local governance, minustah supported in connection with a high-profile banking corruption 166 quick-impact projects, including 92 to rehabili- scandal. Efforts to fight organized crime continued tate public buildings essential for the functioning with the arrests of several key figures connected with of local government. The Mission also assisted the drug trafficking, and of two prominent businessmen Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in es- charged with fraud. tablishing municipal councils by providing technical Despite those positive developments, challenges expertise on such topics as budgetary principles and remained, as some of the main political parties strug- management, and supported training programmes for gled with internal conflicts and disunity with their 58 comptrollers. parliamentary and local government representatives. On 30 May, the Special Representative for Haiti, In an effort to remedy provisions of the 1987 Consti- Edmond Mulet (Guatemala), briefed the Security tution much criticized as contradictory or impractical Council on the situation in Haiti and the activi- and regarding the reform of which no agreement had ties of minustah. The Council, in a press statement been reached, some parties initiated a national review [SC/9032], reaffirmed support for the Government’s ef- of draft legislation on political party reform, which forts to maintain stability and achieve progress in would be presented to civil society through regional the country and expressed appreciation for mi- meetings. While several political parties insisted that 312 Political and security questions such constitutional reform should be governed by the coordination meetings between donors and national mechanisms stipulated in the Constitution, others ad- authorities at the technical and political levels. In col- vocated the drafting of a new constitution. There were laboration with the UN country team, the Mission also divergent positions on such key related issues as would continue to focus efforts on extending State au- the electoral system, dual nationality and the status of thority and building local capacity, including foster- the army. Meanwhile, Lespwa, the electoral coalition ing links between local institutions, supporting State that brought President Préval to power, began organ- reform and decentralization, and promoting transpar- izing regional meetings to promote its transformation ency and the fight against corruption. into a political party. The sustainability of political and economic gov- On 1 and 2 August, the Secretary-General visited ernance, security, and institutional development was Haiti to assess the stabilization process and to reaf- also affected by the country’s lack of control of its firm the United Nations commitment to the country. land and sea borders, comprising some 1,600 miles Based on the progress achieved and the determination of unprotected coastline, unguarded seaports and of the Haitian leadership and people to address the numerous clandestine airstrips, which could easily be root causes of Haiti’s crisis, with international support, breached by illicit arms and drugs traffickers. Such the Secretary-General expressed optimism about the a lack of effective and basic border management di- country’s future. Noting, however, that the fragility rectly affected the joint efforts of Haitian authorities of the gains made was also apparent and could dis- and minustah to enhance security, the rule of law sipate unless supported through long-term commit- and institutional support. To improve the situation, ment and vision, he said Haitian and international minustah and the United Nations Development Pro- engagement was essential to consolidate what had gramme (undp) continued to work with Haitian lead- already been achieved and ensure a firm basis for fur- ers in developing the institutional capacity of hnp, ther progress towards stability and sustainable devel- including through coordination with donors who had opment. Haiti’s continued stabilization depended on contributed or pledged up to $46 million. Minustah all actors embracing the dialogue and collaboration and hnp were also working together on the prepara- promoted by the President, the establishment of a tion of a maritime police development plan, aimed permanent electoral council, respect for the rule-of- at developing local capacity to gradually assume the law and State institutions and the strengthening of coastal patrolling responsibilities that minustah governance institutions. would undertake. In addition, the Government ap- On 7 August, the sub-communal assembly results proved a three-year strategic plan for strengthening from the April elections (see p. 311) were published. the Haitian customs system, prepared with support The Constitution called for indirect elections to estab- from the International Monetary Fund. lish councils and assemblies at the municipal, depart- Although joint minustah/hnp operations had sig- mental and interdepartmental levels and to designate nificantly improved the overall security environment, members of a permanent electoral council, as well as the situation remained fragile. Following a detailed judges up to the appeals level. Although draft legisla- threat assessment in July, minustah identified three tion defining the modalities for those elections had security threats, which included the likelihood of civil not been submitted to Parliament, funding for the unrest, compounded by persistent socio-economic elections, estimated at $500,000, was secured. How- divide and high unemployment rates, a considerable ever, funding for senatorial elections scheduled for potential for renewed armed violence, and the illicit year’s end, and estimated at $16 million, was not yet traffic in drugs, arms and contraband. The Secretary- available. Once the legislation was passed, the pro- General noted that the problem of illicit trafficking, if cess of organizing the elections was expected to take not addressed, would continue to corrupt State institu- at least three months. Minustah was ready to provide tions, and that the acceptance of corruption through- logistical and security support for those elections. The out society would continue to foster impunity. While report also highlighted the need for institutional sup- incidents of kidnapping had significantly decreased port and strengthening of the State, as elected officials during the year, the phenomenon also posed a threat, inherited weak institutions that suffered from short- and other sources of concern related to the prevalence ages of qualified personnel, inadequate infrastructure of small arms held by private citizens and the fact that and limited budgetary and material resources. In re- non-traditional actors were involved in fomenting in- sponse, minustah continued to enhance skills and stability. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach in promote the coordination of international assistance, tackling the problem, minustah worked with national while providing technical assistance and expert ad- counterparts, the UN country team and donors to de- vice for the development of key institutions, includ- velop a community violence reduction programme. ing the Office of the President, major ministries, the The Mission’s reoriented programme focused on in- Parliament and relevant local bodies. In addition, the stitutional support for the capacity-building of the Mission and the wider UN system promoted regular National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantle- Americas 313 ment and Reintegration and would also concentrate as the minimum required to maintain the country’s on labour-intensive projects to provide an alternative security. to criminality for those in violence-affected commu- Observing that his visit to Haiti gave him a first- nities, the development of a weapons registry, the re- hand awareness of the situation, the Secretary-General vision of laws on the importation and possession of concluded that minustah assistance remained essen- arms, and the reform of the weapons permit system. tial to support Haiti’s efforts to achieve key objectives Further progress was made in strengthening hnp, with in the areas of governance, security, rule of law, the some 7,728 police officers undertaking policing duties reinforcement of State institutions and respect for and an additional 633 scheduled to begin patrolling in human rights. He recommended, therefore, that the late September, which was in line with the hnp reform Security Council extend the Mission’s mandate for 12 plan, under which it was envisaged that some 1,500 of- months. Although the Secretary-General did not see ficers would graduate per year. Yet, the capacity ofhnp the need to change the Mission’s mandate, he encour- remained below the level required to ensure law and aged it to progressively reorient and reconfigure itself to order. Notably, skill levels in the police force were basic, reflect changing circumstances on the ground, includ- institutional development was incomplete and fragile, ing possible security threats, and to support the pri- and the lack of resources limited its capacity to operate orities outlined by President Préval. New areas where outside Port-au-Prince. It was estimated that it would minustah might need to provide technical expertise take four more years for hnp to reach 14,000, the min- included border management, security strategies and imum figure for basic policing duties. Consequently, minustah security forces would need to undertake anti-corruption. It would also continue to strengthen key mandated activities to ensure a safe and secure hnp and cooperate with Haitian authorities in support environment and to shore up gains made thus far. of a comprehensive judicial reform programme. The In that context, a significant security presence in Secretary-General urged that those processes be com- Port-au-Prince would continue to be required to plemented by renewed efforts to shore up the prison solidify the security situation there. In the regions, system, where conditions remained unacceptable. He the absence of viable State institutions necessitated added that minustah, during the upcoming mandate a basic security presence to monitor developments, period, would develop a consolidation plan with clear promote a sense of stability and prevent incidents. benchmarks for progress. It would also be essential for minustah to estab- lish a minimum security presence along the land SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION and maritime borders of the country—a mandated On 15 October [meeting 5758], the Security Council task not yet addressed owing to other priorities. unanimously adopted resolution 1780(2007). The Against that background, the Secretary-General draft [S/2007/601] was prepared in consultation among recommended that minustah retain its military and Council members. police components, with some adjustments in com- The Security Council, position being made to reflect the changing circum- Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particu- stances and priorities. That called for the military to lar resolutions 1542(2004) of 30 April 2004, 1576(2004) enhance its capabilities in border control and engi- of 29 November 2004, 1608(2005) of 22 June 2005, neering and mobility, while decreasing its infantry 1658(2006) of 14 February 2006, 1702(2006) of 15 August capabilities. The Mission’s military force level should 2006 and 1743(2007) of 15 February 2007, be reduced by one company (some 140 troops), with Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, certain heavy equipment repatriated and the remain- independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti, ing 7,060 troops reconfigured in line with the threat Welcoming recent steps towards achieving lasting stabil- assessment undertaken during the year. Further- ity and democracy in Haiti, more, the Mission would reduce its military presence Welcoming also the continuing achievements in Haiti’s in calmer rural and urban areas and redeploy mili- political process, including through the peaceful holding tary personnel to establish patrols within maritime on 29 April 2007 of the final round of local and munici- and land border areas, in cooperation with hnp and pal elections, and noting with satisfaction the number of women and youth engaged in this process, minustah police. Given the military redeployment Recognizing the interconnected nature of the challenges and limited hnp operational capacity, the minustah in Haiti, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, police component would need to increase its support the rule of law and institutional reform, national recon- for maintaining law and order. As such, the police ciliation and development are mutually reinforcing, and component should be increased with one additional welcoming the continuing efforts of the Government of formed police unit of up to 140 officers. The -com Haiti and the international community to address these bined minustah and hnp security assets in Haiti challenges, would remain below 20,000 personnel, which had Recognizing also that respect for human rights, due pro- been conservatively identified in thehnp reform plan cess and addressing the issue of criminality and putting an 314 Political and security questions end to impunity are essential to ensuring the rule of law resolutions 1542(2004), 1608(2005), 1702(2006) and and security in Haiti, 1743(2007), until 15 October 2008, with the intention of Acknowledging significant improvements in the security further renewal; situation in recent months, but noting that the security 2. Endorses the recommendation of the Secretary- situation remains fragile, General for reconfiguring the Mission in line with the Emphasizing the importance of cooperation between concepts outlined in paragraphs 28 and 29 of his report, Haiti and neighbouring and regional States in effectively taking into account the need to adjust the composition of managing and securing Haiti’s borders, and in line with the Mission and realign its activities to reflect the changing the shared interest to secure these borders, circumstances and priorities on the ground, and decides Underscoring that international illicit trafficking in drugs that the Mission shall consist of a military component of and arms continues to affect the stability of Haiti, up to 7,060 troops of all ranks and of a police component Commending the United Nations Stabilization Mission of a total of 2,091 police; in Haiti for continuing to assist the Government of Haiti 3. Expresses its full support for the Special Representa- to ensure a secure and stable environment, tive of the Secretary-General for Haiti, notably in his efforts Emphasizing the role of regional organizations in the on- to improve the security situation in close cooperation with going process of stabilization and reconstruction of Haiti, the Government of Haiti, and reaffirms his authority in the and calling upon the Mission to continue to work closely coordination and conduct of all activities of United Nations with the Organization of American States and the Carib- agencies, funds and programmes in Haiti; bean Community, 4. Recognizes the ownership and primary responsibility Stressing the importance of establishing credible, compe- of the Government and the people of Haiti over all aspects tent and transparent governance, and encouraging the Gov- of the country’s stabilization, recognizes the role of the ernment of Haiti to further strengthen State institutions, Mission in supporting the efforts of the Government in Welcoming the initial steps towards establishing a legisla- this regard, and encourages the Government to continue to tive framework for judicial reform through collaboration take full advantage of international support to enhance its between the legislative and executive branches, capacity, which is indispensable for the sustainable success Commending the establishment of the Consultative of the Mission; Commission on Prolonged Pretrial Detention, and express- 5. Reaffirms its call upon the Mission to support the con- ing its strong support for further efforts on this issue as well stitutional and political process under way in Haiti, includ- as in addressing prison overcrowding, ing through its good offices and, in cooperation with the Calling upon the Government of Haiti, in coordination Government of Haiti, to promote all‑inclusive political dia- with the international community, to advance security sec- logue and national reconciliation, and to provide logistical tor reform, in particular by continuing the implementa- and security assistance for the upcoming electoral process; tion of the Haitian National Police Reform Plan, as well 6. Welcomes the continuing contribution of the Mis- as efforts to reform the critical judiciary and correctional sion to the efforts of the Government of Haiti to build systems, institutional capacity at all levels, and calls upon the Mis- Welcoming the support of the Organization of Ameri- sion, consistent with its mandate, to expand such support can States to update the Haitian voter registry, and calling to strengthen self-sustainable State institutions, especially upon the Haitian authorities, with the continued support outside Port-au-Prince, including through the provision of of donors and regional organizations as well as the Mission specialized expertise to key ministries and institutions, tak- and the United Nations system, to establish permanent and ing into account the ongoing efforts by the Haitian authori- effective electoral institutions and to hold elections consist- ties to fight all forms of crime; ent with Haiti’s constitutional requirements, 7. Requests that the Mission continue its support of Underlining the need for the quick implementation of the Haitian National Police as deemed necessary to en- highly effective and visible labour-intensive projects that sure security in Haiti, and encourages the Mission and the help to create jobs and deliver basic social services, Government of Haiti to continue to undertake coordinated Acknowledging the laudable work done by the Haitian deterrent actions to decrease the level of violence; authorities and the Mission to respond to the needs of 8. Welcomes progress in the implementation of the disaster-affected people, and welcoming future coordi- Haitian National Police Reform Plan, and requests the nated actions in this regard, Mission to remain engaged in assisting the Government Expressing its gratitude to the troops and police personnel of Haiti to reform and restructure the Haitian National of the Mission and to their countries, and paying tribute to Police, consistent with its mandate, notably by supporting those injured or killed in the line of duty, the monitoring, mentoring, training and vetting of police Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 22 Au- personnel and the strengthening of institutional capacities, gust 2007, while working to recruit sufficient individual police officers Determining that the situation in Haiti continues to con- to serve as instructors and mentors of the Haitian National stitute a threat to international peace and security in the Police, consistent with its overall strategy to progressively region, despite the progress achieved thus far, transfer geographical and functional responsibilities to its Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Haitian counterparts to facilitate the engagement of the Nations, as described in section I of paragraph 7 of resolu- Haitian National Police in conventional law and order tion 1542(2004), duties, in accordance with the Reform Plan; 1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Na- 9. Invites Member States, including neighbouring and tions Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as contained in its regional States, in coordination with the Mission, to engage Americas 315 with the Government of Haiti to address cross-border il- 19. Calls upon the United Nations system and the in- licit trafficking in drugs and arms and other illegal activi- ternational community, in particular donor countries and ties, and to contribute to strengthening the capacity of the institutions, in cooperation with the Haitian authorities, Haitian National Police in these areas; to devise and support a renewed aid coordination system, 10. Requests the Mission to provide technical exper- based on mutual responsibility, which would focus on im- tise in support of the efforts of the Government of Haiti mediate needs as well as on long‑term reconstruction and to pursue a comprehensive border management approach, poverty reduction, and encourages donors to accelerate the with emphasis on State capacity-building, and underlines disbursement of their pledges as a contribution to develop- the need for coordinated international support for Govern- ment and stability in Haiti; ment efforts in this area; 20. Welcomes progress made by the Mission in com- 11. Recognizes the need for the Mission to establish munications and public outreach strategy, and requests it patrols along maritime and land border areas in support to continue these activities; of border security activities by the Haitian National Police, 21. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take and encourages the Mission to continue discussions with the necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all the Government of Haiti and Member States to assess the Mission personnel with the United Nations zero-tolerance threats along Haiti’s land and maritime borders; policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and to keep the 12. Requests the United Nations country team, and Council informed, and urges troop‑contributing countries calls upon all relevant humanitarian and development ac- to ensure that acts involving their personnel are properly tors, to complement security operations undertaken by the investigated and punished; Government of Haiti with the support of the Mission with 22. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the activities aimed at effectively improving the living condi- Council on the implementation of the mandate of the Mis- tions of the populations concerned, and requests the sion semi‑annually and no later than forty-five days prior to Mission to continue to implement quick-impact projects; its expiration, taking into account a review of the activities 13. Condemns any attack against Mission personnel, and composition of the Mission, its coordination with the and demands that no acts of intimidation or violence be United Nations country team and other development ac- directed against United Nations and associated personnel or tors, a comprehensive assessment of threats to security in other international and humanitarian organizations engaged Haiti, and the development during this mandate period in humanitarian, development or peacekeeping work; of a consolidation plan with appropriate benchmarks to 14. Welcomes the steps taken towards the reform of measure and track progress, in consultation with the Gov- rule of law institutions, requests the Mission to continue to ernment of Haiti; provide necessary support in this regard, and encourages 23. Decides to remain seized of the matter. the Haitian authorities to take full advantage of that sup- port, notably in such areas as restructuring the Ministry of Other developments. In a later report [S/2008/202], Justice and Public Security, certifying magistrates, provid- the Secretary-General noted that the political and social ing legal aid to the most vulnerable, and modernizing key situation remained tenuous and that minustah contin- legislation; ued to provide technical assistance in support of efforts 15. Requests the Mission to continue to pursue its com- to strengthen governance institutions and implement munity violence reduction approach, including through the State reform programme approved by the Govern- support to the National Commission for Disarmament, ment in July, which aimed to improve State adminis- Dismantlement and Reintegration and concentrating its tration, provide a framework for the development of a efforts on labour‑intensive projects, the development of a decentralization policy and establish implementation weapons registry, the revision of current laws on importa- mechanisms. The Mission worked with the leadership of tion and possession of arms, and the reform of the weapons both parliamentary chambers to strengthen legislative permit system; capacity and hosted various public forums throughout 16. Reaffirms the human rights mandate of the Mis- sion, calls upon the Haitian authorities to continue their the country to facilitate debate on issues of governance efforts to promote and protect human rights, and calls upon and corruption. Furthermore, minustah assisted in the Mission to continue to provide human rights training planning the logistical and security aspects of the sena- to the Haitian National Police and other relevant institu- torial elections for which the donor community had tions, including the correctional services; expressed willingness to provide the necessary funding, 17. Strongly condemns the grave violations against chil- mostly through undp. International support was also dren affected by armed violence, as well as widespread rape exemplified by a 4 September meeting in Port-au-Prince and other sexual abuse of girls, and requests the Mission of the ministers of defence from nine Latin American to continue to promote and protect the rights of women troop-contributing countries, at which they underlined and children as set out in Security Council resolutions their commitment to the stabilization of Haiti. 1325(2000) of 31 October 2000 and 1612(2005) of 26 July 2005; Expert-level cooperation between Haitian officials 18. Encourages the Mission and the United Nations and their counterparts from the Dominican Republic country team to enhance their coordination as well as co- continued, including exchanges of visits by senior of- ordination with the various development actors in Haiti in ficials in the area of the rule of law. However, some order to ensure greater efficiency in development efforts and tensions developed between border communities to address urgent development problems; when Haitian authorities imposed a ban on the im- 316 Political and security questions portation of all poultry products from the Dominican lation growth, unemployment, violence and organized Republic following reports of the outbreak of avian crime, and environmental degradation. In that con- flu in that country in December. The ban resulted text, it elaborated on the need for capacity-building in shortages of poultry products in Haiti and led to to respond to the structural institutional weaknesses demonstrations by Haitian and Dominican suppliers. of Haitian society; analysed key issues concerning de- The episode highlighted the importance of ongoing velopment planning and aid coordination there; and efforts to develop working-level cooperation in border addressed recommendations to Haitian authorities, management and regional relations. the UN system and donors for enhancing the impact Although the security situation in the country had of development work. improved significantly due to major operations un- The Economic and Social Council, in resolution dertaken earlier in the year (see p. 311), the potential 2007/13 of 25 July (see p. 913), extended the Group’s for volatility remained. This was demonstrated in De- mandate until July 2008 to enable it to follow closely cember, when several areas of Port-au-Prince experi- and provide advice on the long-term development strat- enced an increase in criminality and in the number of egy of Haiti to promote socio-economic recovery and reported kidnappings per month. Anti-Government stability. demonstrations also increased, particularly fuelled UNODC support. On 16 March [E/2007/28/Rev.1 by the rising cost of living. Minustah continued to (res. 50/8)], the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, at its provide operational support to hnp with military pa- fiftieth session, adopted a resolution on strengthening trols throughout the country and through activities international support for Haiti in combating the drug of its formed police in the key urban areas of Cap problem, in which it requested the United Nations Haïtien, Gonaïves and Port-au-Prince. The Mission Office on Drugs and Crimeunodc ( ) to strengthen also worked closely with national authorities to adapt initiatives and programmes aimed at providing tech- its security profile and provided targeted assistance to nical support and assistance to the Government in its hnp efforts to respond to major crimes and kidnap- efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking. An estimated ping incidents, while securing strategic locations such $3.5 million would be required, of which $1.7 mil- as the national penitentiary. In December, minustah lion would be needed for the first phase of activities deployed military and police personnel to four land planned for 16 to 18 months. border crossings. OAS technical mission. The Haiti Task Force, es- tablished by the Secretary-General in October 2006 Programme of support for Haiti to review the Organization of American States (oas) programmes and operations in Haiti, with a view to Ad Hoc Advisory Group. The Ad Hoc Advisory rationalizing the structure and aligning programmes, Group on Haiti, mandated by Economic and Social personnel and resources, organized a technical mission to Haiti from 19 to 21 March, comprising oas s t a ff Council decision 2004/322 to fol- [YUN 2004, p. 939] managing projects on human rights, trade and tourism, low and advise on the long-term development of the civil registry and democratic governance. The mission country, submitted a June report [E/2007/78] on its held a series of meetings with high-level officials, do- findings from meetings with Haitian and interna- nors, minustah, undp and other major stakeholders, tional counterparts and a mission to Haiti in April. designed to refine concrete objectives and deliverables; The report summarized the economic and social situ- identify counterparts and agree on lines of communica- ation in Haiti, marked by improvements in its macro- tion; establish timelines for the execution of projects; economic performance and a number of other key and align activities with resources in order to improve areas. Positive developments included Haiti’s rise out project administration. of negative growth of its gross domestic product; gains in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process initiated by the Government, minustah and MINUSTAH undp; the establishment in March of a Committee to prepare a National Growth and Poverty Reduction In 2007, the United Nations Stabilization Mission Strategy; considerable reduction in the overall deficit in Haiti (minustah), established by Security Council of the Government; debt cancellation for Haiti by the resolution 1542(2004) [YUN 2004, p. 294], continued Inter-American Development Bank, which had been to focus on ensuring a secure and stable environment, its main creditor; and laudable efforts by the Ministry supporting the electoral process and reform of rule-of- of Women’s Affairs and Rights to promote women’s law structures, strengthening State institutions, pro- interests. viding humanitarian and development assistance, and Nonetheless, the report also noted that the situa- protecting and promoting human rights. Pursuant to tion in the country was marked by persistently nega- Security Council resolution 1780(2007), the military tive social indicators relating to health, poverty, popu- and police components of the Mission were reconfig- Americas 317 ured and its activities realigned to reflect the chang- offices, justices of the peace, courts and prisons, and ing circumstances and priorities on the ground (see provided information on human rights developments p. 313). The Council also extended minustah’s and on the functioning of key rule-of-law institutions. mandate to 15 October 2008. In that context, the Mission forwarded information Appointments. By an exchange of letters between to Haitian authorities on four cases in which indi- the Secretary-General and the Security Council Presi- viduals were allegedly killed by the national police. dent on 8 and 10 January [S/2007/11 & S/2007/12], Major Meanwhile, the hnp General Inspectorate stepped up General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz (Brazil) was efforts to combat impunity and promote the account- appointed Force Commander of minustah to replace ability of the national police. Other progress included Lieutenant General José Elito Carvalho de Siqueira. the establishment in February of a Consultative Com- mission on Prolonged Pretrial Detention, whose first In July [S/2007/466 & S/2007/467], by an exchange of letters with the Council President, the Secretary- report in July led to the release of 150 persons. With General appointed Hédi Annabi (Tunisia) as his Spe- minustah and undp assistance, the National Prison cial Representative for Haiti and Head of minustah, Administration developed a comprehensive strategic to replace Edmond Mulet, who would complete his plan for prison reform for the next five years, which assignment on 31 August. was approved by the Prime Minister in August. OIOS investigation. Minustah continued to In December, the General Assembly decided that implement the strategy of prevention enforcement the item on the situation of democracy and human and victim assistance to address the problem of sex- rights in Haiti would remain for consideration dur- ual abuse and exploitation. During the year, the Mis- ing its resumed sixty-second (2008) session (decision sion received allegations of incidents of such abuse by 62/546). members of minustah’s Sri Lankan battalion, which Child protection. Despite improvements in secu- were sent to the Office of Internal Oversight Services rity, a large number of children remained affected by (oios) for investigation. Sri Lanka also dispatched a armed violence, and minustah continued to receive high-level investigative team from Colombo to ad- reports of widespread rape and other sexual abuse of dress the problem. Following receipt of the prelim- girls. Other issues of concern included the holding inary oios report, and with the cooperation of Sri of minors in prolonged pretrial detention, with the Lankan authorities, a group of 111 Sri Lankan troops number of those affected reaching 226 as at July; the were repatriated on disciplinary grounds on 3 No- situation of children in institutional care centres; and vember. the appalling living conditions of “restavek” chil- dren (victims of forced domestic labour), estimated MINUSTAH activities to number some 173,000, of whom 60 per cent were girls. Minustah and the United Nations Children’s During 2007, the Secretary-General reported to the Fund (unicef) continued to provide training on child Security Council on minustah activities and devel- protection to judicial actors and hnp. The Mission opments in Haiti for the period from 20 December also provided technical assistance to the Brigade de 2006 to 22 August 2007 [S/2007/503]. Activities for the protection des mineurs (Brigade for the Protection of remainder of the year were covered in a later report Minors) of the national police, the Institute of So- [S/2008/202]. In addition to the political and security cial Well-being and Research and the Office of the situation, both reports summarized minustah activi- Ombudsman, in order to facilitate investigation and ties dealing with human rights; child protection; the family reunification. humanitarian and development situation; gender is- Humanitarian situation. During the year, sues; the preparation of a consolidation plan; the con- minustah continued to respond to the humanitar- duct and discipline of UN personnel; and Mission ian situation in Haiti, particularly within the context support. of prolonged inclement weather conditions, includ- Human rights. While more Haitians enjoyed in- ing heavy rains, which affected over 12,000 families. creased security and freedom of movement as a result Minustah provided assistance in collaboration with of security operations, the weaknesses of the judicial other UN system entities and, in cooperation with the system were apparent, as law enforcement and the Government, contingency plans for a potentially severe court and prison systems remained unable to manage hurricane season were updated by the Office for the the influx of persons arrested and detained. Particular Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ocha( ). The concern was generated by reports of arbitrary arrests, Mission also strengthened its joint operations centre to unlawful police custody, ill-treatment and the excessive augment the country’s disaster response capacity. The use of force, as well as the growing number of lynch- heaviest weather-related damage was inflicted by hur- ing cases throughout the year. Minustah continued ricanes Dean in August and Noël in October, which its monitoring of police commissariats, prosecutors’ affected some 40,000 families. Minustah provided 318 Political and security questions extensive support by carrying out mass excavations, compared to the period 2004 to 2006 and, according helicopter and land assessments, and the distribution to national findings, domestic violence was the most of relief assistance. The Government’s response to commonly reported type of such violence, followed those emergencies was supported by the UN system, by sexual violence. It appeared that improved security ngos and partner organizations. On 5 November, the and access to assistance, as well as public information Government launched a mass immunization cam- campaigns, had motivated more victims of sexual vio- paign throughout the country, to which minustah lence to seek help. Minustah, the UN Development provided necessary security and logistics support. The Fund for Women and local ngos established a Gen- Mission also continued to support the platform of peo- der Working Group on the Promotion of Women’s ple living with hiv/aids and, together with the Joint Political Rights for the upcoming senatorial elections United Nations Programme on hiv/aids, developed and beyond. The Mission also continued to provide a communications training programme for those af- leadership training for women involved in politics at fected by the disease. all levels. Development. In January, an international task Other activities. In addition to routine tasks, force comprising minustah, the UN country team, key Mission support activities included, among other key partners and donors was launched to help amelio- things, logistical assistance for the elections in April; rate the dismal situation in the shanty towns in Port- the handover of the University of Tabarre to local au- au-Prince. The Government also launched its own thorities; military and police deployment at the four task force for Cité Soleil to reinforce coordination and land-border crossings with the Dominican Republic; implement a coherent development strategy. Together, and the ongoing integration of hiv/aids awareness the two task forces developed a comprehensive plan and training into the Mission’s activities. In connec- with projects totalling $42 million to address major tion with the preparation of a consolidation plan and social issues, including water and sanitation, nutrition further stabilization of Haiti, minustah launched a and emergency food aid. An appeal in the amount process of consultations with Haitian authorities to of $97.9 million covering the period from January identify key benchmarks for measuring progress to- 2007 to June 2008 was launched by the UN system wards stability, which could include milestones such to support the Government’s priorities, pending the as the resolution of political differences and a demo- implementation of the United Nations Development cratically elected President in 2011; the establishment Assistance Framework (undaf). Minustah contin- of a sustainable security structure; the establishment ued to promote, together with the Government and of an independent and credible judicial and penal sys- other stakeholders, ways to deliver “peace dividends” tem; the extension of State authority throughout the to the most vulnerable communities. In that connec- country; a tangible improvement in the living stand- tion, the Mission’s military component completed a ards of the population; and the creation of conditions series of small-scale projects, which benefited more for economic recovery. than 25,000 people in communities most affected by violence. In November, following extensive consulta- tions supported by undp, the Government submitted Financing of MINUSTAH its national growth and poverty reduction strategy paper to the World Bank and the International Mon- In February [A /61/741], the Secretary-General etary Fund and called for a high-level international submitted the performance report on the budget of conference in 2008 to facilitate agreement on a frame- minustah for the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June work for financing it. In support of the Government’s 2006, in which he recommended that the General strategy paper, the UN country team and minustah Assembly decide that Member States should waive began formulating the 2009-2011 undaf. their respective shares in other income amounting to Gender. In April, in collaboration with Haiti’s $14,506,000, as well as their respective shares from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Rights, minustah unencumbered balance of $36,851,900 amounting to hosted a high-level delegation from the UN Division $3,376,400. The Assembly should further decide on for the Advancement of Women, which initiated the the treatment of the remaining unencumbered balance provision of technical support to the Government of $33,475,500 for the period ended 30 June 2006. on the implementation of the Convention on the On 18 April [A/61/869 & Corr.1], the Secretary- Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against General submitted to the Assembly the budget for Women (see p. 1189). Minustah also worked with minustah for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June the United Nations Population Fund and unicef 2008, which amounted to $537,664,300 gross, and to support the National Plan of Action to Combat provided for the deployment of 7,200 military contin- Violence against Women. The year had witnessed an gents, 1,951 United Nations police officers, including increase in the number of documented cases of physi- 1,000 in formed units, 16 government-provided per- cal and sexual violence against women and minors sonnel, 546 international staff, 1,268 national staff Americas 319 and 228 United Nations Volunteers, including tem- 2006 and 61/276 of 29 June 2007, as well as other relevant porary positions. resolutions; 2. Takes note of the status of contributions to the United ACABQ report. In an 18 May report [A/61/852/ , the Advisory Committee on Administrative Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti as at 31 March 2007, Add.15] including the contributions outstanding in the amount of and Budgetary Questions (acabq) identified reduc- 203.1 million United States dollars, representing some 16 tions totalling $2,291,500 in the proposed budget per cent of the total assessed contributions, notes with con- for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 (see cern that only thirty Member States have paid their assessed above). It therefore recommended that the General contributions in full, and urges all other Member States, Assembly appropriate $535,372,800 for that period in particular those in arrears, to ensure payment of their and that the unencumbered balance and the amount outstanding assessed contributions; resulting from other income and adjustments for the 3. Expresses its appreciation to those Member States period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006 be credited to which have paid their assessed contributions in full, and Member States in a manner to be determined by the urges all other Member States to make every possible ef- Assembly. fort to ensure payment of their assessed contributions to the Mission in full; GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION 4. Expresses concern at the financial situation with re- gard to peacekeeping activities, in particular as regards the On 29 June [meeting 104], the General Assembly, on reimbursements to troop contributors that bear additional the recommendation of the Fifth (Administrative and burdens owing to overdue payments by Member States of Budgetary) Committee [A/61/973], adopted resolution their assessments; 61/284 without vote [agenda item 141]. 5. Also expresses concern at the delay experienced by the Secretary-General in deploying and providing adequate re- Financing of the United Nations sources to some recent peacekeeping missions, in particular Stabilization Mission in Haiti those in Africa; The General Assembly, 6. Emphasizes that all future and existing peacekeep- Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General ing missions shall be given equal and non-discriminatory on the financing of the United Nations Stabilization Mis- treatment in respect of financial and administrative arrange- sion in Haiti and the related report of the Advisory Com- ments; mittee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, 7. Also emphasizes that all peacekeeping missions shall Recalling Security Council resolution 1529(2004) of 29 be provided with adequate resources for the effective and February 2004, by which the Council declared its readiness efficient discharge of their respective mandates; to establish a United Nations stabilization force to support 8. Reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political pro- make the fullest possible use of facilities and equipment at cess and the maintenance of a secure and stable environment the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy, in order in Haiti, to minimize the costs of procurement for the Mission; Recalling also Security Council resolution 1542(2004) of 9. Endorses the conclusions and recommendations 30 April 2004, by which the Council decided to establish contained in the report of the Advisory Committee on Ad- the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti for an ministrative and Budgetary Questions, subject to the provi- initial period of six months, and the subsequent resolutions sions of the present resolution, and requests the Secretary- by which the Council extended the mandate of the Mis- General to ensure their full implementation; sion, the latest of which was resolution 1743(2007) of Takes note 15 February 2007, 10. of paragraph 24 of the report of the Ad- visory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Ques- Recalling further its resolution 58/315 of 1 July 2004, tions, and decides to establish the post of Coordinator of Recalling its resolution 58/311 of 18 June 2004 on the the Working Group on the Rule of Law as proposed by the financing of the Mission and its subsequent resolutions Secretary-General in his report; thereon, the latest of which was resolution 60/18 B of 30 June 2006, 11. Decides to establish two posts for Security Offi- cers (one P-4 and one P-2) under the Security Section, as Reaffirming the general principles underlying the financ- ing of United Nations peacekeeping operations, as stated in proposed by the Secretary-General; General Assembly resolutions 1874(S-IV) of 27 June 1963, 12. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the full 3101(XXVIII) of 11 December 1973 and 55/235 of 23 De- implementation of the relevant provisions of its resolutions cember 2000, 59/296, 60/266 and 61/276; Mindful of the fact that it is essential to provide the 13. Also requests the Secretary-General to take all nec- Mission with the necessary financial resources to enable it essary action to ensure that the Mission is administered to fulfil its responsibilities under the relevant resolutions with a maximum of efficiency and economy; of the Security Council, 14. Further requests the Secretary-General, in order to 1. Requests the Secretary-General to entrust the Head of reduce the cost of employing General Service staff, to con- Mission with the task of formulating future budget propos- tinue efforts to recruit local staff for the Mission against Gen- als in full accordance with the provisions of General Assem- eral Service posts, commensurate with the requirements of bly resolutions 59/296 of 22 June 2005, 60/266 of 30 June the Mission; 320 Political and security questions

15. Requests the Secretary-General to conduct a com- staff assessment income of 8,589,900 dollars approved for prehensive review of the staffing structure of the Mission, the Mission, the prorated share of 1,610,500 dollars of the taking fully into account the observations and recommen- estimated staff assessment income approved for the support dations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative account and the prorated share of 174,700 dollars of the and Budgetary Questions in paragraphs 20 and 21 of its estimated staff assessment income approved for the United report, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at Nations Logistics Base; its sixty-second session in his next budget submission for 23. Further decides that, for Member States that have the Mission; fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, there 16. Also requests the Secretary-General to review the shall be set off against their apportionment, as provided for administrative staff supporting national interpreters in the in paragraph 19 above, their respective share of the unen- context of the next budget submission for the Mission; cumbered balance and other income in the total amount of 51,357,900 dollars in respect of the financial period ended Financial performance report for the 30 June 2006, in accordance with the levels updated in General Assembly resolution 58/256 of 23 December period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006 2003, and taking into account the scale of assessments for 17. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General 2006, as set out in its resolution 58/1 B of 23 December on the financial performance of the Mission for the period 2003; from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006; 24. Decides that, for Member States that have not ful- filled their financial obligations to the Mission, there shall Budget estimates for the period be set off against their outstanding obligations their respec- from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 tive share of the unencumbered balance and other income in the total amount of 51,357,900 dollars in respect of the 18. Decides to appropriate to the Special Account financial period ended 30 June 2006, in accordance with for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti the the scheme set out in paragraph 23 above; amount of 561,344,900 dollars for the period from 1 July 25. Also decides that the decrease of 1,570,500 dollars 2007 to 30 June 2008, inclusive of 535,372,800 dollars in the estimated staff assessment income in respect of the for the maintenance of the Mission, 22,337,400 dollars financial period ended 30 June 2006 shall be set off against for the support account for peacekeeping operations and the credits from the amount of 51,357,900 dollars referred 3,634,700 dollars for the United Nations Logistics Base; to in paragraphs 23 and 24 above; 26. Emphasizes that no peacekeeping mission shall be Financing of the appropriation financed by borrowing funds from other active peacekeep- 19. Also decides to apportion among Member States the ing missions; amount of 163,725,600 dollars for the period from 1 July 27. Encourages the Secretary-General to continue to to 15 October 2007, in accordance with the levels updated take additional measures to ensure the safety and security in General Assembly resolution 61/243 of 22 December of all personnel under the auspices of the United Nations 2006, and taking into account the scale of assessments participating in the Mission, bearing in mind paragraphs for 2007, as set out in its resolution 61/237 of 22 Decem- 5 and 6 of Security Council resolution 1502(2003) of 26 ber 2006; August 2003; 20. Further decides that, in accordance with the provi- 28. Invites voluntary contributions to the Mission in sions of its resolution 973(X) of 15 December 1955, there cash and in the form of services and supplies acceptable to shall be set off against the apportionment among Member the Secretary-General, to be administered, as appropriate, States, as provided for in paragraph 19 above, their respec- in accordance with the procedure and practices established tive share in the Tax Equalization Fund of 4,272,200 dol- by the General Assembly; lars, comprising the estimated staff assessment income of 29. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty- 3,537,000 dollars approved for the Mission, the prorated second session the item entitled “Financing of the United share of 663,200 dollars of the estimated staff assessment Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti”. income approved for the support account and the prorated share of 72,000 dollars of the estimated staff assessment On 22 December, by decision 62/546, the Assem- income approved for the United Nations Logistics Base; bly decided that the item on financing of minustah 21. Decides to apportion among Member States the would remain for consideration during its resumed amount of 397,619,300 dollars for the period from 16 Oc- sixty-second (2008) session. tober 2007 to 30 June 2008 at a monthly rate of 46,778,742 dollars, in accordance with the levels updated in General Assembly resolution 61/243, and taking into account the scale of assessments for 2007 and 2008, as set out in its res- Other questions olution 61/237, subject to a decision of the Security Council to extend the mandate of the Mission; 22. Also decides that, in accordance with the provisions Cuba–United States of its resolution 973(X), there shall be set off against the apportionment among Member States, as provided for in In August [A/62/92 & Add.1], the Secretary-General, paragraph 21 above, their respective share in the Tax Equali- in response to General Assembly resolution 61/11 zation Fund of 10,375,100 dollars, comprising the estimated [YUN 2006, p. 358], submitted information received as Americas 321 at 1 August 2007 from 115 States, the Holy See, the 2. Reiterates its call upon all States to refrain from European Union and 21 UN bodies and specialized promulgating and applying laws and measures of the kind agencies on the implementation of that resolution. The referred to in the preamble to the present resolution, in text of the resolution had called on States to refrain conformity with their obligations under the Charter of the from the unilateral application of economic and trade United Nations and international law, which, inter alia, re- affirm the freedom of trade and navigation; measures against other States, and urged them to re- 3. Once again urges States that have and continue to peal or invalidate such measures. apply such laws and measures to take the necessary steps to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible in accordance GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION with their legal regime; On 30 October [meeting 38], the General Assembly 4. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the appropriate organs and agencies of the United Nations adopted resolution 62/3 [draft: A/62/L.1] by recorded vote (184-4-1) . system, to prepare a report on the implementation of the [agenda item 21] present resolution in the light of the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law and to submit it to the Necessity of ending the economic, commercial General Assembly at its sixty-third session; and financial embargo imposed by 5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its the United States of America against Cuba sixty-third session the item entitled “Necessity of ending The General Assembly, the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed Determined to encourage strict compliance with the by the United States of America against Cuba”. purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, RECORDED VOTE ON RESOLUTION 62/3: In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua Reaffirming, among other principles, the sovereign equal- and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbai- ity of States, non-intervention and non-interference in their jan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bel- internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navi- gium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, gation, which are also enshrined in many international legal Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina instruments, Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Recalling the statements of the Heads of State or Govern- Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, ment at the Ibero-American Summits concerning the need Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, to eliminate unilateral application of economic and trade Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Ko- measures by one State against another that affect the free rea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, flow of international trade, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Concerned at the continued promulgation and applica- Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Ga- tion by Member States of laws and regulations, such as that bon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, promulgated on 12 March 1996 known as the “Helms- Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hondu- ras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Burton Act”, the extraterritorial effects of which affect the Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, sovereignty of other States, the legitimate interests of entities Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Leba- or persons under their jurisdiction and the freedom of trade non, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, and navigation, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mal- Taking note of declarations and resolutions of different dives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, intergovernmental forums, bodies and Governments that Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, My- express the rejection by the international community and anmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, public opinion of the promulgation and application of Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, measures of the kind referred to above, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Por- Recalling its resolutions 47/19 of 24 November 1992, tugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, 48/16 of 3 November 1993, 49/9 of 26 October 1994, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and 50/10 of 2 November 1995, 51/17 of 12 November 1996, the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, 52/10 of 5 November 1997, 53/4 of 14 October 1998, 54/21 Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sin- of 9 November 1999, 55/20 of 9 November 2000, 56/9 of gapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, 27 November 2001, 57/11 of 12 November 2002, 58/7 of Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, The 4 November 2003, 59/11 of 28 October 2004, 60/12 of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, 8 November 2005 and 61/11 of 8 November 2006, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Concerned that, since the adoption of its resolutions Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United King- 47/19, 48/16, 49/9, 50/10, 51/17, 52/10, 53/4, 54/21, 55/20, dom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Van- 56/9, 57/11, 58/7, 59/11, 60/12 and 61/11, further measures uatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. of that nature aimed at strengthening and extending the Against: Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States. economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba Abstaining: Micronesia. continue to be promulgated and applied, and concerned also at the adverse effects of such measures on the Cuban Communications. On 18 January [A/61/708- people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries, S/2007/32], Cuba transmitted a statement concerning 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the United States 11 January indictment of alleged ter- the implementation of resolution 61/11; rorist Luis Posada Carriles on charges of naturalization 322 Political and security questions fraud, in which it urged the United States to respond tion technology (ict) for development; and enhanc- to Venezuela’s 2005 request for the extradition of Mr. ing the overall strategic position of caricom within Carriles [YUN 2005, p. 394]. Subsequent communica- the hemispheric and global environment. The meeting tions pertaining to the situation of Mr. Carriles were acknowledged that much had been accomplished to- transmitted by Cuba [A/61/737-S/2007/77, A/61/856- wards deepening cooperation between caricom and S/2007/205, A/61/877-S/2007/222, A/61/914-S/2007/290] the United Nations, especially regarding the degree of substantive and technical support provided by the UN and Venezuela [A/61/884-S/2007/249]. On 8 May, a United States court issued a ruling, which released Mr. system to the Community. During the year, the United Carriles and dismissed all charges against him. Other Nations received caricom requests for assistance in communications from Cuba addressed the treatment training and capacity-building, ict development, re- of prisoners held in the United States , hu- search, analysis and advisory services to support in- [A/61/808] formed decision-making and policy formulation, as man rights [A/61/982-S/2007/379] and a request for items to be retained on the list of matters of which the well as public education at national and regional levels. Security Council was seized . The meeting concluded that an appropriate regional [S/2007/127] programmatic framework for the pursuit of follow-up and coordination of priority areas for collaboration Gulf of Fonseca zone of peace needed to be established, and that caricom and the United Nations would examine ways in which support could be coherently provided to caricom, its member On 10 October [A/62/486], El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua transmitted the Managua Declaration: States and associated institutions. the Gulf of Fonseca, a zone of peace, sustainable devel- In a letter dated 1 August [A/61/1023], Nicaragua opment and security, signed by the Presidents of those transmitted the outcome document entitled “Re- countries (Managua, Nicaragua, 4 October) as an af- affirming Our Unity in Diversity”, adopted by 31 firmation of their resolve for the joint management Latin American and Caribbean States at the Regional of the Gulf, rich in resources that were vital for the High-level Consultation on UN System-wide Coher- economic, trade, agricultural, tourism and industrial ence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian As- activities of the coastal States. The Declaration also ex- sistance and the Environment (Managua, Nicaragua, pressed their readiness to collaborate in strengthening 25-26 June), by which they reaffirmed their commit- territorial integration in Central America, particularly ment to improving the efficiency of their organiza- regarding the promotion of economic development tion. and regional peace and security. Another cooperative activity was a UN workshop entitled “Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540(2004) in the Caribbean” Cooperation between the United Nations (Kingston, Jamaica, 29-30 May), organized by the and regional organizations UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, which addressed measures in the region for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, focusing in particular Caribbean Community on reporting, trans-shipment and border controls of those weapons. Elsewhere, the twenty-eighth meeting On 29 March [A/61/833-S/2007/179], the Secretary- of the Conference of Heads of Government of caricom General transmitted the text of the statement adopted (Bridgetown, Barbados, 1-4 July) addressed ways to by the participants at the fourth general meeting be- strengthen regional economic development and to tween the United Nations and the Caribbean Com- further the UN agenda of peace, development and munity (caricom) (Georgetown, Guyana, 25-26 Jan- human rights in the region. uary), which reviewed actions taken following the third general meeting in 2004 [YUN 2004, p. 306] and discussed objectives for the upcoming biennium cov- Observer status ering, among other issues, the implementation of the caricom Single Market and Economy; institutional On 6 December, the General Assembly, by resolu- development and the strengthening of governance tion 62/74 of 6 December (see p. 1430), granted the and security within the region; advancing human and Italian–Latin American Institute observer status in social development and information and communica- the Assembly’s work.