UNITED NATIONS – Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has called for a “tangible lasting “ solution to the crisis in Haiti that he says has not reached a “critical point” as he urged the international community to answer the call for a peacekeeping force.
Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry addressing United Nations General Assembly on Friday (CMC Photo)“I have come here today on behalf of the people of Haiti to tell you that we are ready for that change we have been waiting for almost two centuries. Freedom can only be complete if it enables each citizen to live in dignity and descent conditions, “Henry told the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ariel, who heads the interim government here following the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovennel Moise, has in the past called on the international community to send in a multi-national force to maintain peace and security in the country.
”I come here today on behalf of my people to raise our security question which remains the key priority of my government. To highlight the circulation of arms, massacres, kidnappings are major concerns for my administration”.
The plea by Henry comes as the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced Friday that Washington is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on an additional five individuals under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“This action affects current or former Haitian government officials and other individuals believed to be involved in the operation of street gangs and other criminal organizations in Haiti through financial and other forms of material support, including the facilitation of illicit arms or narcotics trafficking,” Blinken said.
He said the Department continues to identify individuals and their immediate family members who may be subject to visa restrictions under this policy.
“There are consequences for those enabling and financing gangs and other criminal organizations, and we will continue to use all available tools, including visa restrictions and sanctions authorities, to promote accountability for those who engage in such actions. These measures, and those implemented by our partners, are intended to move Haiti towards a more prosperous and stable future,” the US Secretary of State said.
Ariel told the UNGA that the security crisis is exacerbated by the deterioration of the security situation which has impacted institutions hindering socio-economic growth and progress.
“It has now reached a critical point,” he said, noting that on a daily basis Haitians face violent attacks by armed gangs that control various areas in the capital and provisional towns.
“They assassinate, set fires, they steal and abuse with cruelty. They drive citizens from their homes, they block roads and they force schools and hospitals as well as busi9nesses to close their doors.
“The deterioration of the security situation in recent weeks has led to a new humanitarian crisis with displaced persons spontaneously occupying schools to escape gang violence,” he said, noting that as many as 16,500 people are occupying those schools.
Henry said a health threat is also present with cases of cholera being detected in certain areas.
“This increases the risk of transmission and is a real public health issue for the population,” Henry said, speaking also of “systematic human rights violations caused by gang violence that compromises peace, stability and the security of the country and the region as a whole”.
Henry said that the United Nations Security Council must take urgent action by authorizing a multi-national support mission to underpin security in Haiti consisting of both police and military personnel. To support Haiti’s National Police Force.
“The use of force as an initial steps remains essential to create an environment in which the state can function properly again. It is a necessary initial stage but it is not enough in an of itself.
“Social and economic development must also be addressed in order to find a sustainable solution to the extreme poverty which is the origin of all of the ills facing my country. Social inequalities and the very unequal distribution of wealth in Haiti has caused a huge gap to exist between the masses and a small minority which controls 90 per cent of the country’s riches”.
Henry said the extreme poverty accentuates the unemployment situation among young people, marginalizes communities and then easily tempted into a life of crime.
“That category is fertile ground for recruitment by gangs. Once again from this rostrum I send out a call to all Haitians of good faith, those living in the diaspora and those still within our borders, to all actors in political life whatever their persuasion to work hand in hand with the government to combat the gangs , restore security and as true democrats seek power via the ballot box.
“My interim government is determined to hold elections as soon as practically possible. In the days to come, despite the situation in the country I will finalize an agreement with the High Authority for the Transition setting down the steps necessary for an electoral consensus with the support of the international community.”
Henry said that his government intends to continue having dialogue with all political actors and civil society “in order together to find a patriotic historical consensus necessary to find a way out of this crisis.
“Democracy is at peril, our country needs a return to normalcy in order thereafter to be able to address the challenges it faces,” Henry told the UNGA.
