Haiti making headway toward restoring democratic institutions: UN

WASHINGTON

Haiti is making progress in restoring democratic institutions, a UN official said Wednesday, but warned about violations of human rights in the Caribbean nation.

"I am happy to report Haiti is making headway toward restoring democratic institutions through enhanced security and credible elections.

"The installation of the Transitional Presidential Council in April, and the designation of a prime minister and a new government, sworn in last month, are clear indications of progress," UN Special Representative for Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, said at a Security Council meeting.

Garry Conille was named prime minister by the transition council with a mandate to restore stability and take control as the country battles a humanitarian crisis fueled by armed gangs.

Salvador noted that the first group of Kenyan police from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) arrived June 25.

She said despite the progress, "alarming levels of violence remain a source of great concern."

"Indiscriminate gang violence has been consistently spreading beyond the capital to other regions of the country," she said.

Turning to the humanitarian situation, Salvador said there are 578,000 internally displaced persons, a 60% increase since March. "Rates of sexual violence and abuse remain troubling. Only 20% of health facilities are operating normally," she added.

Salvador said the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) will continue to support transitional authorities in key areas that include elections, constitutional reform, police development, enhancement of political dialogue and justice, as well as community violence reduction.

"BINUH, within its mandate on human rights, stands ready to provide support, when required, to the definition of a robust human rights compliance framework," she added.

Political deadlock and surging gang violence escalated after President Jovenel Moise's assassination in 2021.

Thousands have been killed in the conflict while hundreds of thousands have fled the country.