Situation of human rights in Haiti

1991/77. 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 the Governments of all Member States are required to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, Taking account of the report of the independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General, Mr. Philippe Texier (E/CN.4/1991/33 and Add.1),

1. Expresses its appreciation to the independent Expert for his report and for the way in which he has discharged his mandate;

2. Takes note with satisfaction of the cooperation extended by the Haitian authorities to the independent Expert during his visits to Haiti from 27 June to 5 July 1990 and from 25 January to 2 February 1991;

3. Expresses its satisfaction at the democratic electoral process in Haiti on 16 December 1990 and on 20 January 1991, which has enabled a constitutional government to take office, and also at the full restoration of the 1987 Constitution;

4. Notes with satisfaction Haiti's accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and invites the Government of Haiti to continue the process of ratifying other international human rights instruments,

5. Expresses its concern, however that threats continue to loom over democracy and over full respect for human rights, as is borne out by the massacre perpetrated at Gervet on 17 January 1991;

6. Invites the Government of Haiti to expedite the investigation into the principal massacres, particularly those of 29 November 1987, 11 September 1988, 12 March 1990, 16 March 1990, 31 May 1990, 21 June 1990 and 17 January 1991, and to bring those responsible to trial;

7. Expresses its concern at the acts of violence committed in Haiti's rural areas and at the ineffectiveness of the judicial system, and invites the Government of Haiti to take all the necessary steps so that those responsible be tried in keeping with the law and not be subjected to acts of uncontrolled vengeance;

8. Expresses its conviction that, as noted by the independent Expert in his report, it is important to pursue a fruitful dialogue with the new Government of Haiti, with a view to constantly improving the human rights situation in Haiti;

9. Requests its Chairman to appoint an independent expert to ex developments in the human rights situation in Haiti and to help devise measures capable of making the necessary improvements;

10. Calls upon the Haitian authorities to continue to cooperate fully with the independent Expert;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the independent Expert with all necessary assistance in performing his task;

12. Requests the independent Expert to report on the discharge of his mandate to the Commission at its forty-eighth session;

13. Decides to consider the report of the independent Expert at its forty-eighth session under the agenda item "Advisory services in the field of human rights".

54th meeting.
6 March 1991
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XII.]