The growing crisis reaching the top-notch in Haiti led the UN chief to deploy specialized ‘armed action’ in Haiti. He requested the government to halt transportation in Haiti.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday again called for installing specialized International troops in Haiti and requested the government to paralyze the country’s deportations amid the situation spirals.
A report was produced by them as a guide to the ever-growing crisis in Haiti. Guterres paid attention to the fact that gang-related violence and human rights violations have reached a level of criticism.
Why did Guterres want to deploy ‘armed action’ in Haiti again in 2024?
Guterres penned down a noticeable fact that the country is suffering from the worst human rights and humanitarian violations in decades.
He noted that last year’s gang-led blockade at the main fuel terminal has ended, and a special force of international troops is to be enforced in Haiti. The inhabitants of Haiti should be free of any obstacles to cast their votes in the upcoming election. The infrastructure security is also under keen projection.
He further noted that the number of officially reported killings soared by 35 percent last year compared with the previous year, over 2100 slaughtered. In addition, kidnapping numbers are doubled than last year, with more than 1350 victims.
Also, Haiti’s National Police is underfunded and under-resourced, with only 9,700 active-duty officers in a country of more than 11 million residents.
Allegations are thrusted upon the police that a significant number of National police are attached to gangs.
Who is Responsible ?
In recent months, countries including Canada and the U.S. have helped with resources and training including armored vehicles, but unfortunately, the gangs outnumbered the police on duty whose power and territorial control have expanded due to the murder of President Jovenel Moïse at his private residence in July 2021.
Also, the recent deadly cholera outbreak worsened by gang violence and a spike in the number of people who are starving as countries including the U.S. and the Dominican Republic have deported thousands of Haitians in the past year.
This report was released a day before the U.N. The Security Council scheduled the meeting and talked about Haiti.
Ironically, the groups that threatened peace in Haiti including a powerful gang leader, were imposed a sanction, but the council then did not cast the vote on the deployment of armed forces in October. Which led to the great massacre.
The country is devoid of democratically elected constitutions after the terms of the remaining 10 senators expired on Jan, 9. Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced the decision to host the general elections as soon as possible.
Last week, the first preparatory steps were measured by Henry’s administration producing a decree with the names of the three members appointed for the Higher Council, responsible for choosing the provisional electoral council.
The decree stated that the council will also execute economic and human rights, creating a public security plan, and establishing milestones and deadlines for the transition period.
Henry declared that they will move forward with the ones who wish to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
What happened in the year 2022 to introduce ‘armed action’ again?
A nightmarish situation erupted in the capital, Port-au-Prince, which was called for ‘armed action’ by the head of the United Nations.
To allow fuel supplies into the country and remove the port blockade, Antonio Guterres believed such action was necessary to disable the grip gangs.
Many Haitian protesters and civil society leaders have demolished the idea of international intervention, saying history says that foreign intruders bring more problems than solutions.
The legitimacy of Henry, the new Prime Minister, was questioned by putting the spotlight on the doubt after Moise’s killing. The entire protesters wanted Henry to step down from his post.
On October 9, Guterres urged the U.S. to consider the matter of urgency by introducing a special armed force. Joe Biden, President of the U.S. administration assured to review the request.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered humanitarian assistance to people in Haiti, by providing food to them.
Visa Restrictions were again imposed on the gangs involved in the attack.
The UNSC resolution in response to the crisis is also a major decision taken by the US ambassador.
Out of the two resolutions, it was not decided which one to be applied. The first one is the financial sanctions on Haitian criminals.
The second one is the authorization of International troops to bring national peace.
One can say that the growing crisis has reached the level where imposing International interventions is the only way to mitigate the crisis and bring in peace.
