Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Alvarez spoke in a meeting of the Permanent Security Council of the United Nations urging international cooperation come forth to resolve the acute security issues in Haiti. At present, criminal gangs are more in control of the country than the government. Kidnappings are the leading industry.
The position of the Dominican government is that “an agreement between government forces, civil society, the private sector and the population itself is the only credible and sustainable path to Haiti’s future. Gender equality, opportunities for youth and full respect for human rights must play a central role in this process.”
Alvarez highlighted: “The much-needed reconciliation that will end Haiti’s long political division is the necessary first step towards that end. On the basis of agreed common principles and objectives, Haiti’s political leadership must lead the way to make this a point of no return. Haitians themselves, and no one else, must open the door and lead the way to the necessary reforms that the country so desperately needs and for which ordinary Haitians urgently cry out.”
Alvarez stressed: “Given the state of lawlessness in Haiti today, nothing can be accomplished until the security situation is addressed first.”
He explained: “Gang and paramilitary violence, kidnappings, abuses of all kinds and intimidation are a daily threat to the Haitian people. There will never be stability in Haiti as long as the current levels of insecurity persist. This, coupled with acute food insecurity and a challenging environment for humanitarian assistance, makes the situation unbearable for ordinary Haitians.
“The police, penetrated by the gangs, need support, not only financially, but full-time advisors to help them control them. Holding elections while the gangs control large swaths of territory will only deepen Haiti’s problems and make them more intractable.”
Alvarez presented the Dominican position: “The Dominican Republic stands ready to support a credible, inclusive and sustained political dialogue in Haiti. One closely supported by the UN and other key international actors, such as Caricom and the African Union. One that addresses historical debts and tackles the major challenges and their concrete solutions.
“Latin America has a long and rich history of political dialogue that has played a fundamental role in the process of democratization and stability in the Americas. We must build on that rich tradition to help Haiti.”
Last week 17 missionaries were kidnapped. As turmoil escalates in Haiti, the Dominican government has also increased border and migration controls locally.
Last week the Permanent Security Council of the United Nations agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations political mission (UN Integrated Office BINUH) in Haiti until 15 July 2022 after an initiative presented by Kenya, Niger, Tunicia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines and representatives of the African Union and Caricom. The BINUH is a special political mission established by the Security Council in 2019 that is tasked to advise the Haitian government in promoting and strengthening political stability and good governance, preserving and advancing a peaceful and stable environment, and protecting and promoting human rights.
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18 October 2021