Thank you, Mr. President,  

It is indeed a privilege for me to deliver this statement on behalf of Kenya, Niger, Tunisia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – the A3 +1.

We also thank SRSG Helen La Lime and Ms. Emmanuela Douyoun, Founder and Director of Policité, for their presentations.

We further welcome H.E. Dr. Claude Joseph, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Republic of Haiti.

Mr. President,

In our last statement on June 16^th, the A3+1 expressed deep concern about the multifaceted crises facing Haiti and stressed that our sister Caribbean nation required urgent attention, and specific and sustained support from the international community. We also emphasized that political inertia cannot continue if Haiti is to achieve its aspirations of peace, stability, and prosperity.

Today, the situation in Haiti requires the intensified attention of the international community to restore some semblance of normalcy.

The dastardly attack on Haiti’s democracy through the abhorrent assassination of President Moise has complicated an already worrying situation, especially on the political and security fronts. This, together with the devastating earthquake on August 14 and Tropical Storm Grace, implore this Council and the international community to deepen solidarity, enhance partnership and strengthen cooperation with Haiti.

We urge all Haitian law enforcement authorities to spare no effort to ensure that the perpetrators of such heinous acts are brought to justice and extend our call for the assistance of the international community.

The A3+1 also takes this opportunity to offer the following observations.

The deteriorating political situation needs to be arrested immediately, security needs to be restored fully and the rule of law needs to prevail. We are aware of ongoing political dialogue initiatives but note difficulties among stakeholders and political forces to engage in a comprehensive national dialogue process.  

The only solution to the existing political impasse is through a genuine, inclusive, broad-based Haitian-owned and Haitian-led national dialogue process. Such must include the full participation of women and youth, and also be accompanied by a national reconciliation process.

The A3+1, therefore, calls on all Haitian stakeholders and contending political forces to set aside their differences, build trust and unite in the common interest of the Haitian people, including advancing towards a democratic electoral process. To this end, we echo CARICOM’s view of the importance of creating the enabling conditions, without which, there can be no transparent, inclusive and secure elections.

We fully support CARICOM’s offer of its good offices to facilitate a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solution to the current situation, which remains a serious regional concern. We encourage our Haitian brothers and sisters to maximize the use of the tools and instruments available through CARICOM, to assist this process.

The assassination of President Moise laid bare the security deficiencies. Whilst we acknowledge efforts to strengthen the Haitian National Police (HNP) and to bolster the state security apparatus, including through the Peacebuilding Fund projects on community violence reduction and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; gang violence, sexual and gender-based violence, and kidnappings continue unabated – exemplifying the inadequacies of existing measures to ensure citizenry safety.

We, therefore, repeat our call for international support to strengthen the state’s security machinery.

We need to cast our net wider and extend our support to the Haitian Government to include measures addressing corruption and illicit financial flows into and out of the country. This way, we may be able to counter the ever-increasing and evolving threat, to the people of Haiti and neighboring states, posed by armed gangs who are becoming more emboldened.

The ever-deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation is extremely troubling. Impunity cannot continue and investigation into emblematic cases such as those of Grand Ravine, La Saline, and Bel-Air must be conducted swiftly, and perpetrators must be held accountable. It is disturbing that high-profile cases including the assassination of Monferrier Dorval, Emmanuel Constant, and Netty Duclair, remain unresolved.

We are appreciative of the immediate response by all international partners and humanitarian agencies to assist in the delivery of humanitarian support. We commend the launch of the $187.3 million flash appeal in support of the most vulnerable communities and encourage the international donor community to support this initiative, as well as scale-up contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan, which remains only 30% funded.

Mr. President,

The A3+1 must pronounce its deep concern about the distressing situation surrounding the inhumane large-scale deportation of Haitians, witnessed in recent weeks. We express our fervent hope that elemental humanity and international human rights law will be strictly observed, even during times when countries are securing their borders.

The challenges facing Haitian migrants and refugees are stark reminders that addressing their root causes is critical. This brings us to our repeated call for reparations for Haiti.

Clearly, Haiti’s legacy of underdevelopment cannot be divorced from the historic injustices meted out against it in standing up against slavery and preparing the foundation for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspiring many liberation struggles.

Just a few weeks ago, during the 76^th Session of UNGA, our leaders renewed their commitment to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action – a landmark anti‑discrimination framework adopted 20 years ago. It is time to put this Programme of action into operation – commencing with placing the issue of reparations for victims of the slave trade high on the agenda.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

The current situation presents a unique opportunity for the international community to assist in preventing Haiti from further descending into an abyss. The common citizen in Haiti is frustrated

with the systemic instability and the daily struggle to put food on the table. The expression of being ‘fatigue’ in relation to the situation in Haiti is totally unacceptable. We must show greater solidarity and stand side-by-side with Haiti, shouldering our responsibilities, as an international community, including unity within this Council.

Having celebrated more than 200 years as an independent nation, Haitians must also own their existing challenges to overcome the current crises, through the indomitable spirit of their forebears, such as Dutty Boukman, Cécile Fatiman, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint Louverture, Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére, and Henri Christophe.

The magnificent and triumphant Haitian Revolution is a testimony to us all that no matter how difficult the challenges and ordeals are, Haiti will overcome.

Kenya, Niger, Tunisia, and Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines stand in solidarity with Haiti.

I thank you.