Summary: 9 September 2009, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden, at the Security Council Debate on the question concerning Haiti, United Nations
Madame President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Montenegro and Serbia, as well as Ukraine and Armenia align themselves with this statement.
Madame President,
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. While security and stability have improved significantly since the deployment of MINUSTAH in 2004, we remain concerned that the people of Haiti continue to face serious challenges in the area of socio-economic development. High levels of unemployment, increasing costs of living, and the lack of access to basic services are serious risk factors for the stability. It could undermine the progress achieved over the past years.
Therefore, with great satisfaction we welcome Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's appointment of former president Bill Clinton as the United Nations' Special Envoy to Haiti in an effort to refocus international attention on the country's deep economic problems and environmental decay.
The priorities laid out by the Haitian Government in the donors conference in Washington D.C. last April represent a challenging roadmap. We remain committed to our pledges made at the conference and welcome the Secretary-General's engagement. The Special Envoy, in addition to his work in the follow-up to the donors conference, plays a crucial role to attract private investments to Haiti. The improved security situation has turned Haiti into a more attractive destination for such investments,
and the creation of urgently needed - long-term - job opportunities would further consolidate the achievements reached in the past years.
Let me also thank Mr. Hédi Annabi, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his strong leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Madame President,
The focus of the EU efforts is shifting from support of democratic reform and rehabilitation to economic recovery and basic services. The EU indeed believes that strong socio-economic development is required to sustain and consolidate the newfound stability. Furthermore, the capacity of the State to deliver basic services needs to be enhanced. The EU cooperation strategy with Haiti for 2008 to 2013 is based on these elements. The strategy, funded with 291 million Euro, will primarily focus on
infrastructure, mainly the building of roads, as well as on governance.
Madame President,
Efforts in the socio-economic area must go hand in hand with efforts to enhance Haiti's institutions. To that end, the international community must ensure that its efforts to assist Haiti are based on a coherent strategy with clearly defined benchmarks. As recently pointed out by the independent United Nations expert on human rights in Haiti, the reform of the Haitian Police is proceeding at a fast pace. Ongoing training and vetting constitute essential elements for the re-establishment of
reliable and trustworthy security institutions. The justice system on the other hand is still marked by deprivation and limited resources. Ensuring access to justice for the rural poor remains a of high priority. The European Union therefore strongly welcomes the commitment by the Haitian Government to a gradual take over, which will be completed in 2014, of the current nation-wide legal aid system, set up jointly by MINUSTAH and the International Legal Assistance Consortium. Overcrowded
prisons constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The financial difficulties are enormous and the Haitian Government is encountering huge problems, but nevertheless, we urge the Haitian Government to invest more in the corrections system in order to improve the sometimes life threatening conditions for the prisoners. The European Union shares the view expressed in the Secretary-General's report that intensified efforts must be made to review pre-trial detention. National legislation
which allows for the separate detention of juveniles has to be adopted. We also encourage the Security Council to consider allocating a separate budget for corrections officers.
When the Security Council reviews the mandate of MINUSTAH in October, the issue of border management control remains an area that has to be carefully monitored. Operational assistance by the international community will be critical to safeguard and build upon the gains that have been made.
Madame President,
Another key area in building Haiti's institutions is the follow up to the partial senatorial elections held in April and June 2009. The European Commission contributed to these efforts with the amount of 3.3 million Euro. A number of electoral exercises lie ahead and the continued support provided by the international community in this area will be crucial. However, the Haitian people will have to take the primary responsibility for ensuring progress.
Madame President,
Haiti benefits from a generous donor base. It is essential to improve coordination between donors to avoid duplication. Also within the UN system, more could be done to increase coordination.
Madame President,
In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the need to develop political strategies for managing the transition from peacekeeping to post conflict peace building. The Secretary-General's report outlines the challenges and identifies ways of addressing them. We are committed to supporting the Secretary-General in addressing these challenges. The European Union will continue to engage with Haiti and its people in the crucial period ahead.
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