Following the report on Haiti to the United Nations Security Council, by Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary General (RSSG) and Head of BINUH https://www.haitilibre.com/article-42692-haiti-onu- report-from-binuh-on-haiti-to-the-security-council.html American Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council :

Remarks by American Ambassador Inda Thomas-Greenfield :

"Thank you. SRSG Salvador, thank you for your briefing and for the work you and the entire BINUH team are doing in Haiti during these challenging times. These efforts are critical to supporting Haiti’s path to a democratic transition https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42692-haiti-un-binuh-report-on-haiti-to-the-security-council.html

[...] The Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Conille’s selection of a Cabinet of Ministers are important steps toward accountable, responsive, and inclusive governance that can promote security and future elections.

Across Haiti, gangs have carried out unthinkable atrocities : killings, mass rapes, kidnappings, forced recruitment, exploitation, and trafficking of children. You heard the report of the SRSG. Coordinated attacks by gangs have pushed tens of thousands of residents from their homes.

Haitians needs our help. They need peace and security.

As the largest donor to the MSS mission, the United States intends to provide more than $309 million dollars to support the Mission’s success with investments in logistics, equipment, and training.

Our support for the people of Haiti is unwavering. And we call on all international partners to do more and give more, including by providing the MSS mission with funding and in-kind contributions.

As we work to ensure a better, more secure future in Haiti, we must also promote accountability for past atrocities. This Council must consider sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for, or complicit in, actions that threaten the peace and security in Haiti. The 2653 Haiti Sanctions Committee and Panel of Experts have a critical role to play in this effort. Like many of you, are also concerned about the illicit flow of arms into Haiti, which fuels the capacity for increased violence, civilian casualties, and human rights abuses.

The U.S. is actively working to enforce the arms embargo. Most recently, on June 24th, the head of the 400 Mawozo gang, Joly Germine, was sentenced to 35 years in a U.S. federal prison for his role in gun-running conspiracy.

In November 2023, the Biden Administration signed a memorandum of understanding with the Haitian National Police for the use of the electronic “ATF eTrace system,” which can help identify potential gun traffickers.

And this past February, we signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Haiti to formally establish a Haiti Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit, which will enhance cross-border investigative capabilities.

Finally, the Biden Administration announced a new rule to reduce the number of firearms sold without background checks in the United States.

We urge fellow Member States to join us and take steps to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

For our part, the United States is committed to working with CARICOM and other international partners to support the government’s work to improve the lives of all Haitians and prepare the country for elections.

That is the future the Haitian people demand; it is the future that the Haitian people deserve. One of democracy. One of security. One of hope, prosperity, and freedom. Let us all do our part to make this a reality.

Thank you."

HL/ HaitiLibre