Thursday, July 6, 2023, Nicolas Rivière, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) since July 8, 2019 spoke on the crisis that Haiti is going through and urges the international community to mobilize urgently.

Speech by the French Ambassador to the UN :

"

Mr. President,

I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Chair of the Sanctions Committee and Ms. Gilles for their briefings. I welcome the presence among us of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Ministers for Foreign of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the Permanent Representative of Barbados.

France’s solidarity is with the Haitian people, who are suffering on a daily basis. In Port-au-Prince, gangs reign terror, cutting off roads and restricting access to basic services and humanitarian aid. Killings, kidnappings, sexual violence: the list of abuses leaves no one indifferent, and they must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

This is why France is urging the international community to take urgent action. It echoes the appeal made by the Secretary-General during his visit to Haiti. It supports the deployment of a force in support of the Haitian National Police, including through a more robust engagement from the United Nations. Haitians are calling for the aid of the international community, and collectively we must hear that call.

We need to act now, or risk seeing the after-effects of violence and social breakdown for future generations. Let’s face it: without security, there can be no development, no rule of law, no justice for the victims. Neither can be lasting peace in Haiti without the restauration of institutions.

France will therefore continue to encourage inclusive political dialogue. Everyone must set personal interests aside and show a spirit of responsibility. We welcome efforts to broaden participation in the national consensus agreement. The objective remains the organization of democratic elections once the security conditions are met. France encourages the Haitian political stakeholders to reach an agreement on the appointment of an inclusive Provisional Electoral Council in order to move towards this goal.

Two years almost to the day after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, it is imperative to step up the fight against impunity. Rebuilding an effective justice system is a priority if we are to put a lasting end to violence. This Council, for its part, must expeditiously adopt new sanctions against the criminals who brutalize the Haitian population.

Finally, France will remain committed to facilitating humanitarian aid, particularly in terms of sanitation and food. We cannot resign ourselves to this downward spiral, when one Haitian in two does not have enough to eat.

The countries of the region can play a decisive role, and we welcome CARICOM’s commitment to Haiti, as well as the actions of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Mr. President,

It is high time to take action, and everyone must mobilize. The renewal of the mandate is an opportunity to show our determination: France supports the strengthening of the BINUH, particularly in terms of security and justice. Let’s not allow Haiti to descent into chaos; let’s not forget the Haitian people.

Thank you."

HL/ HaitiLibre