United Nations Security Council Resolution 2653 –The question concerning Haiti

Resolution 2653 (2022)

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particular its resolution 2645 (2022), which inter alia extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for one year, demanded an immediate cessation of gang violence and criminal activity, and expressed the Council’s readiness to take appropriate measures, as necessary, against those engaged in or supporting gang violence, criminal activities or human rights abuses, or who otherwise take action that undermines the peace, stability, and security of Haiti and the region,

Noting with deep concern the protracted and deteriorating political, institutional, economic, security, human rights, humanitarian and food security crises in Haiti and reaffirming the commitment of the international community to continue to support the people of Haiti,

Recognizing that exclusion and inequality have an impact as aggravating factors in the situation concerning Haiti,

Stressing the primary responsibility of the Government of Haiti to address longstanding drivers of instability and inequality,

Reiterating the need to reach an urgent agreement on a sustainable, time-bound and commonly accepted framework for a political process led by Haitians to permit the organization of inclusive, free and fair legislative and presidential elections, carried out in a transparent manner, as soon as security conditions and logistical preparations permit, and with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and the engagement of youth, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders, and recalling its request to the Government of Haiti to provide an update on the political process,

Expressing grave concern about the extremely high levels of gang violence and other criminal activities, including kidnappings, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, and homicides, and sexual and gender-based violence including rape and sexual slavery, as well as ongoing impunity for perpetrators, corruption and recruitment of children by gangs and the implications of Haiti’s situation for the region,

Concerned that illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materiel of all types contributes to undermining the rule of law and respect for human rights, andcan impede the provision of humanitarian assistance and have wide ranging negative humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences,

Noting the need to prohibit the transfer of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition to non-state actors engaged in or supporting gang violence, criminal activities, or human rights abuses in Haiti, as well as to prevent their illicit trafficking and diversion,

Encouraging cooperation between Member States to prevent illicit arms trafficking and diversion, including through providing and exchanging timely and up to date information in order to identify and combat illicit trafficking sources and supply chains,

Acknowledging the urgent need to address the illicit financial flows to Haiti enabling armed gangs to operate and posing a growing threat to the country’s stability, including by prioritizing breaking links between political and economic actors and gangs,

Expressing concerns about the Haitian National Police’s lack of access to vital ports which are largely under the control of gangs, and further demanding to stop the illegal occupation of ports and fuel terminals by gangs,

Welcoming the launch of technical programmes by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to assist national authorities to promote border and ports control, trace illicit financial flows, collaborate across borders to combat transnational crime, corruption, and drug and arms trafficking, including through the UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Programme in Haiti and border management programmes, and further welcoming the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) regional roadmap to combat the trafficking of firearms,

Recognizing the important role of neighboring countries, regional and subregional organizations such as CARICOM, and other international partners,

Expressing deep concern at the persistent and destabilizing criminal activities perpetrated by armed gangs in Haiti and the unabated transfer of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition to actors engaged in or supporting gang violence,

Condemning attacks and kidnappings of UN personnel, violence against diplomatic premises, and the looting of humanitarian aid, and recalling that the primary responsibility for the safety and security of United Nations personnel and assets rests with the host state,

Calling upon all actors in Haiti to issue clear orders prohibiting all human rights violations and abuses, and underscoring the necessity for all actors to ensure immediate, safe and unhindered access by humanitarian organizations,

Stressing that the measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of Haiti,

Recognizing the need to ensure that fair and clear procedures exist for delisting individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities designated pursuant to this resolution and expressing its intent to consider authorizing the Ombudsperson to receive such delisting requests,

Determining that the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 9159th meeting, on 21 October 2022