Situation of human rights in Haiti

1992/77.
Situation of human rights in Haiti

The Commission on Human Rights, Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, Reaffirming that all Member States have a duty to promote human rights and to fulfil their obligations under the various human rights instruments, Recalling its resolution 1991/77 of 6 March 1991 on the situation of human rights in Haiti, Taking account of the report (E/CN.4/1992/50 and Add.1) of the Independent Expert, Mr. Marco Tulio Bruni Celli, appointed by the Chairman of the Commission at its forty-seventh session, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 46/7 of 11 October 1991 and 46/138 of 17 December 1991, Deeply concerned about the serious events occurring in Haiti since 29 September 1991, which abruptly and violently interrupted the democratic process in that country, entailing the loss of human lives and the violation of human rights, Concerned also at the mass exodus of Haitian nationals fleeing the country because of the deterioration in the political and economic situation since 29 September 1991, Noting the unanimous declaration on Haiti adopted by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States on 22 November 1991, and the subsequent dispatch by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of an investigating team to Haiti on 4 December 1991, Welcoming the ongoing negotiations for the restoration of the rule of law, Aware that the Commission must keep a close watch on the situation of human rights in Haiti,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Independent Expert for his report on the situation of human rights in Haiti;

2. Strongly condemns the overthrow of the constitutionally elected President, Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and the use of violence and military coercion and the subsequent deterioration of the situation of human rights in that country;

3. Expresses its deep concern over the flagrant human rights violations committed under the illegal Government set up following the coup d'état of 29 September 1991, particularly summary executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, searches without warrant, rape, restrictions on the freedoms of movement, expression, assembly and association, and the repression of popular demonstrations calling for the return of President Aristide;

4. Expresses its appreciation to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the work it is doing in favour of the Haitian nationals fleeing the country and invites Member States to continue giving material and financial support to those efforts;

5. Draws the attention of the international community to the fate of the Haitian nationals who are fleeing the country and requests its support for the efforts undertaken to assist them;

6. Requests the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, following consultations with the Bureau, to appoint a special rapporteur with a mandate to prepare a report on the situation of human rights in Haiti based on all information which the special rapporteur deems relevant, especially information supplied by the Organization of American States, with a view to submitting an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session and a report to the Commission at its forty-ninth session;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the assistance necessary for the performance of his mandate;

8. Decides to consider the situation of human rights in Haiti at its forty-ninth session under the agenda item entitled "Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories".

56th meeting
5 March 1992
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]