Assistance to Haiti in the field of human rights

1988/51. Assistance to Haiti in the field of human rights

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, Referring to its resolution 1987/13 of 2 March 1987, in which it requested the Secretary-General to appoint an expert with a view to assisting the Government of Haiti, through direct contacts, in taking the necessary action for the full restoration of human rights, Having examined the report of the Expert (E/CN.4/1988/38), Bearing in mind the development of events in Haiti during the past two years, including the violence perpetrated on the occasion of the elections of 29 November 1987, but also the establishment of a civil Government on 7 February 1988, Noting also that that civil Government has expressed its determination to restore the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Considering that the United Nations should be prepared to envisage assisting any nation which is going through a delicate and difficult stage on the path to development and consolidation of democracy, if that nation so requests, in order to contribute to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, Considering that it is appropriate to continue to offer Haiti advisory services in the field of human rights, Concerned about the situation of human rights in Haiti,

1. Takes note of the report of the Expert appointed by the Secretary-General,

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

3. Shares the regret expressed by the Expert at having been unable, for reasons beyond his control, to travel to Haiti for the purpose of contacting the Government of Haiti;

4. Expresses the view that the obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms calls not only for measures to guarantee the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, but also for measures intended effectively to prevent any violation of those rights;

5. Invites the Government of Haiti to give priority to the implementation of such measures;

6. Takes note of the attitude displayed by the Government of Haiti towards continued co-operation with The Commission on Human Rights;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide such advisory services and other appropriate forms of assistance in the field of human rights as the constitutional Government of Haiti might request, in order to encourage democratic development and the strengthening of the institutions responsible for ensuring respect for human rights;

8. Decides to request the Secretary-General to extend the mandate of the Expert for one year, and requests the Expert to submit a report to the Commission at its forty-fifth session;

9. Invites the Expert to take into account in his contacts with the Government of Haiti the provisions of Commission resolution 1987/13 concerning:

(a) Technical assistance programmes in the field of human rights;

(b) The training programme for qualified Haitian nationals in areas identified by Commission resolution 1987/13 ;

(c) The possibility of public information programmes in the field of human rights;

10. Requests the Expert to establish direct contacts with the Government of Haiti with a view to taking any action that might be necessary for the full restoration of human rights;

11. Requests the Government of Haiti to redouble its efforts to develop full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to consider the adoption of measures in those areas where there is an attested and identified need;

12. Recommends that the Government of Haiti should give active consideration to becoming a party to the existing international instruments in the field of human rights, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol thereto, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

13. Requests the Government of Haiti to extend its co-operation with the Expert appointed by the Secretary-General;

14. Requests the Secretary-General to provide all necessary assistance to the Expert;

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

52nd meeting
8 March 1988
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XXII.]
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