Thursday, October 6, 2022, the Organization of American States (OAS) sought the support of Member States to help restore security and democracy in Haiti through a consensus statement approved in Lima during the first plenary session of the 52nd Assembly. general of the organization.

In the statement, the OAS said it was "concerned" by the insecurity experienced by Haiti, characterized in particular by kidnappings for ransom, the proliferation of gang armed forces and the increase in cases of human rights violations and considers the need to strengthen the judicial system and civil society in Haiti, to fight against impunity and corruption and to clarify the various crimes committed in Haiti.

The agency asks its Secretariat, Member States and permanent observers who are in a position to do so, "to urgently offer direct support to the Government of Haiti to improve the training of port security agents in the fight against firearms trafficking."

As well as helping "to strengthen the capacities and means of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in order to restore security in Port-au-Prince and the metropolitan area and stop the spread of armed gangs that terrorize the population.

It also calls on Member States, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2645, to "prohibit the transfer of small arms and light weapons and ammunition to non-State entities", it encourages them to collaborate with the country to strengthen its judicial system "in order to fight against corruption and impunity, and to elucidate the various crimes committed, in particular crimes against the civilian population and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse."

And she calls in conclusion for the holding of general elections, as soon as the conditions are met, so that the democratic institutions of the country are functional again.

HL/ HaitiLibre