MINUJUSTH BEGINS ITS MANDATE IN HAITI

Photo: Logan Abassi UN/MINUJUSTH

16 Oct 2017

MINUJUSTH BEGINS ITS MANDATE IN HAITI

The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) began its mandate today, Monday 16 October. The opening ceremony organized in the afternoon in Port-au-Prince, was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Rodrigue other Government officials, PNH leadership, the diplomatic community, private sector and civil society representatives, country team and MINUJUSTH representatives as well as the media. 

In his opening remarks, Mamadou Diallo, Deputy Representative of the UN Secretary General Humanitarian Coordinator, Resident Coordinator, (DSRSG-HC-RC) and Officer in Charge of MINUJUSTH, expressed the full support of the Mission and the United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes to consolidate the stability gains and to shift from stabilization to structural reforms and long-term institution development.  

“I am convinced that Haiti will seize the opportunity offered by the deployment of MINUJUSTH to consolidate the political stability acquired in recent years in order to pave the way for a democratic, stable and prosperous future for all Haitians.” He added.

MINUJUSTH, a peacekeeping mission with a lighter footprint, is composed of police and civilians. The Mission is mandated to assist the Government of Haiti to further support and develop the Haitian National Police (HNP); strengthen Haiti’s rule of law institutions, including the justice and correction sectors; and advance the promotion and protection of human rights.

A new Chapter for Haiti

Antonio Rodrigue, the Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the United Nations efforts and the new mission. “Today starts a new chapter in our country’s history to consolidate MINUSTAH’s past achievements and the country towards long-term stability.” He further stated that “the Haitian society currently enjoys a stable global security environment, a peaceful political climate and functional democratic institutions, and praised the Haitian National Police that “has made undeniable progress both in its the development and its professionalization.”

The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), a new UN entity, succeeds the previous United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which concluded its 13-year mandate on 15 October 2017.


“The preservation of gains in stability is first and foremost the responsibility of the Haitian authorities and the people of Haiti,” stressed MINUJUSHT Oic Chief in that regard, noting also that “the Police component of MINUJUSTH will continue to provide operational support to the Haitian National Police (HNP) and will continue its efforts to strengthen its capacities, including in the implementation of HNP Strategic Development Plan 2017-2021”.


The UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) was established by the UN Security Council Resolution 2350, adopted unanimously in April 2017 for an initial period of six months from 16 October 2017 until 15 April 2018.

In terms of personnel, MINUJUSTH comprises seven Formed Police Units (FPUs) with a total of 980 FPU personnel, and 295 Individual Police Officers (IPOs) and 351 civilians of international and national staff.

Concluding his remarks, Mamadou Diallo, Head of MINUJUST also delivered a message on behalf of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterrez which recognize that "The establishment of MINUJUSTH reflects the commitment of the United Nations to support peacebuilding and promote stability in Haiti”.

“The Secretary General is confident that the Haitian people and Government will work closely with MINUJUSTH and the extended family of the United Nations in the country to jointly implement the common priorities established on the basis of resolution 2350 (2017) of the Security Council and reflected 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.” added the Oic chief MINUJUSTH.