UN Security Council meeting on the question concerning Haiti - Statement on behalf of Canada

January 24, 2023 - New York

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Mr. President,

I wish to thank the Security Council, under Japan’s leadership, for inviting Canada to participate in this meeting.

Haiti’s multi-faceted crisis remains very serious and fragile, and with significant impacts on the Haitian population.

• children, out of school, and recruited by gangs;
• young women who fear being raped;
• workers who leave their homes in the morning not knowing if they will be kidnapped;
• communities that face famine-like conditions…

Haitians are living this reality every day.

Mr. President,

The international community needs to do more and, importantly, we need do things differently than in the past. In this regard, I would offer four points:

First, we need to learn from the history of large military interventions in Haiti that have failed to bring about long-term stability for Haitians. All solutions must be Haitian-led and Haitian-owned in order to strengthen Haitian institutions and to ensure a sustainable impact.

We understand that assistance is required to improve security conditions in the country. We need to work with the Haitian National Police to understand how countries who are able and willing, can contribute and scale up efforts. Canada is committed to working with partners to make progress in this regard.

We are pleased that a number of countries have joined us in contributing to the Security Basket Fund to increase the capacity and professionalization of the Haitian National Police, and we encourage other partners to join in these efforts.

We must not lose sight of the importance of supporting Haitian actors to rebuild the country’s justice and correctional systems, strengthen the rule of law, and combat corruption and impunity.

Second, we need to continue to exert pressure on gangs and the elite that supports them. This Council moved swiftly to establish sanctions which we understand are having an impact.

Canada has imposed autonomous sanctions against 15 members of the Haitian elite to-date in response to acts of significant corruption and other egregious conduct, including providing illicit financial and operational support to armed gangs.

Third, to break the cycle of crises, we need to accompany Haiti to revive its economy and to undertake sustainable socio-economic development. Haiti deserves our solidarity and predictable support. Young Haitians need to have hope that there is a future for them in their home country.

Fourth, Canada encourages Haitian stakeholders to develop a broad consensus around a process that leads to an election and constitutional government. It is important that women and youth can play an integral role in shaping Haiti’s future.

Thank you.