Assistance to Haiti in the field of human rights

1989/73. 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, Bearing in mind the development of events in Haiti during the past three years, Alarmed by the events of 11 September 1988 and by the threats still presented, particularly in rural areas, by armed bands using the methods of the former dictatorship, Noting the dialogue initiated between the Government and democratic forces in a forum, with a view to the early establishment of an electoral council, Recalling Articles 55 and 56 of the Charter of the United Nations, in which Member States pledge to take joint and separate action in co-operation with the Organization for the achievement of universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms, Considering that the United Nations should be able to assist any nation which is going through a delicate and difficult stage on the path to the development and consolidation of democracy, in order to contribute to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, Taking account of the recommendations contained in the report of the Expert, Mr. Philippe Texier (E/CN.4/1989/40),

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Expert appointed by the Secretary-General for his report and for the way in which he has discharged his mandate;

2. Welcomes the co-operation extended by the Haitian authorities to the Expert during his visit to Haiti from 15 to 22 December 1988, and the readiness of those authorities to continue their co-operation with the Commission on Human Rights;

3. Notes with concern the Expert's observation that, although there has been some improvement in the human rights situation since 17 September 1988, the basic causes of the violations have not been eradicated and may give rise to further outbreaks of violence at any time;

4. Welcomes with interest Haiti's accession to a number of human rights conventions and, in particular, to the Covenants and the declared determination of the Haitian authorities to comply with them, although those international instruments have not yet been incorporated into the Haitian legal system, pending the enforcement of the relevant constitutional provisions;

5. Urges the Haitian authorities to take measures without delay to ensure the rapid investigation of the serious violations of human rights which occurred before 17 September 1988, in particular, the sad events of 29 November 1987 and 11 September 1988, and to ensure that the mandate of the commission of inquiry enables it to single out the culprits for arrest and trial;

6. Expresses the hope that the Haitian Government will, as it has pledged, be able to restore as soon as possible a constitutional régime freely chosen by the Haitian people;

7. Encourages the Haitian Government to pursue the contacts which it has established with the various democratic forces in the country in order to expedite the resumption of the electoral process and, inter alia, to take measures to ensure the physical safety of citizens and their freedom to vote;

8. Appeals to the international community to provide all possible assistance to Haiti in order to help it in the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to provide advisory services and all other appropriate forms of assistance in the field of human rights in order to encourage the régime's democratic development;

10. Endorses the Expert's recommendations contained in paragraph 139 (e) and (f) of his report (E/CN.4/1989/40), and requests the Secretary-General, in the programme to be established in co-operation with the Haitian Government, to give emphasis, inter alia, to measures designed to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and to promote the organization of civilian police services trained in human rights;

11. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Haitian authorities, to extend the Expert's mandate for one year, and requests the Expert to encourage the implementation of the Secretary-General's programme, as determined jointly with the Government of Haiti, and to make to the Government all necessary recommendations for the full restoration of human rights;

12. Requests the Expert, in his report, to provide information also on the development of the human rights situation in Haiti;

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

14. Decides to consider the Expert's report at its forty-sixth session.

55th meeting
8 March 1989
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XXI.]