conference tote bags
Weekly briefing of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH), led by Mr Mamadou Bah, spokesman for Acting of the MINUSTAH, with special guest Commissioner of Police Mamadou Diallo, Chief of Police International United Nations (UNPOL) in Haiti.
Speech by Acting Spokesman
Hello to everyone.
Thank you for your loyalty to this weekly appointment information with MINUSTAH.
It is my privilege to invite to this podium the Chief of Police International United Nations in Haiti, the Commissioner Mamadou Diallo.
The presentation will give you the Police Commissioner of MINUSTAH will be followed by a session of questions and answers special because he has other obligations. Then, we will continue the press conference.
Mr. Diallo, you have the floor.
Speech by Commissioner diallo
I am here to talk about what we do in support of the National Police of Haiti as part of the country safe. Since taking office in February for the first time I had the privilege to meet you and I think it was also important that you have a different story compared to the assessment of the situation safe. Let me start by saying that I am here since 2004, which means that I have lived with you all shades of insecurity. For my part, I’ve summarized like this: we experienced a period of political violence, we experienced a period of organized crime, we know this period that we have today where we mostly property damage, the small, the average delinquency.
Political violence as you know, was characterized by the insurgency. And this name very folk that I found here in 2004 “Chimera” to a certain image. Political violence was also former military, but he was also armed gangs that have crept into the political movement.
Since the elections were held which helped to elect a president of the republic, parliament and the decentralized communities, political means of expression has been found.
And from the time we eliminate the violence of the political equation, armed gangs who gave a political color, appeared like they are all naked just a combination of criminals. This is the second phase of organized crime or we’ve had organized crime, gangs armed despite that there is already an elected president and parliament continued to defy the authorities, defying al society and control areas as Cite Soleil, a fight in Martissant and perhaps to a lesser extent in Gonaives.
We come now to the stage where we feel there is still much uncertainty. But it is characterized mainly by damage to property, by the mean and petty crime.
The troubles that the country has experienced in recent years have shown the potential for destruction of political movements, criminal and / or social scale when coordinated and able to develop over a long period, many outbreaks of armed violence or not be generalized across the country.
This major crisis has revealed the importance for the state to have, always ready, the mobile response units equipped and trained, appropriately located and can move quickly in both the capital and the provinces for contribute to civil peace and ensure the necessary balance between the imperatives of public order on the one hand and respect for the inalienable rights of human beings on the other.
The maintenance of order and peace, but also and especially the fight against petty crime to protect people and property, maintaining order on the streets and public places, control Trade and possession of firearms, surveillance and control of private security agencies, civil protection (fire, natural disasters or provoked), and environmental protection.
The UN, meanwhile, concentrated their efforts throughout the country:
- Assisting the P.N.H. to restore the rule of law and public safety:
- Accompanying staff of P.N.H. in the exercise of their functions,
- Providing operational support through joint patrols and joint management of disorders,
- Working for sustainable development through coaching and training both at the Police Academy and during employment.
- Encouraging personal standards regarding human rights (strengthening IGPNH to ensure internal control),
- Assisting with other donors, restructuring and equipment services.
- Improve security in dangerous areas of intervention by FPU, UNPOL and the military;
- Establish minimum requirements for encouraging other assistance activities in all areas.
Despite notable progress in some areas, the overall situation is still characterized by poor social conditions (poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, idleness, rural exodus, wandering children, …) that generate and maintain all types of disturbances public order.
The extreme youth of the Haitian people on the one hand, and the high density urban other hand, contribute greatly to the increasing crime rate and that of juvenile delinquency.
All Georgia’s internal conflicts are not resolved, even if there are daily clashes. Several factors of instability remain and continue to represent a serious threat to peace and democratization of the country, among others, the extreme political polarization, class antagonisms that does not lessen the simplest outline of national solidarity, the great divide between rich and poor, lack of a middle class who were in exile, and the high numbers of people abandoned at the roadside by all the changes and seizures that the country has known.
In this context, the HNP, despite his youth and his weaknesses, is the only internal force organized nation. Therefore, impartiality, objectivity and neutrality, politics in particular, should remain its creed. It is vital that the institution continues in this way:
- Growing transparency in the execution of all tasks;
- Continuing to inform the public about all its activities including those that can bring about change;
- Identifying criminogenic areas to try to find the best solutions, in close partnership with the public.
It is clear that Haiti has so far been particularly dependent on foreign and will remain for some time. It is equally true that the international community can not alone solve all the problems of this country. But the international community, despite the suspicion of some Haitian community who see intervention in some form of interference, can act as an ally in some critical areas, such as those of defense and security, Economy and Finance, stabilization and strengthening of the State, the fight against poverty and serious international crime (in particular, trafficking of weapons and drugs).
Today, we are proud to say we’ve reached a level of safety otherwise acceptable but tolerable for the door ajar for a better future for the Haitian people. Crime rates have been falling significantly and the authority of the State extends to the whole national territory. All areas which were benchmarks of criminals of all stripes are now accessible to all, local people have again the right to come and go and go about their business in a safe environment improved.
But we can not maintain lasting security without economic and social development without justice.
These are new challenges. They will never be without the persistent and generous support of community donors and without good governance.
Good governance starts with:
The establishment of the rule of law. Good police work, law-abiding and high standards of behavior is the first pillar of civil order.
Justice is the second.
The correction is the third.
Balanced development and accompanying these three sectors is essential in establishing this rule of law a legitimate ambition of Haitian people.
The purposes of the police institution are intangible: prevent and deter, investigate and punish.
Today, these tasks are unevenly filled, for lack of a proper operation of services due to lack of adequate human material and financial resources.
The delays in all areas, whether the organization, staffing and motivation, training, equipment and the necessary internal and external control, seriously affect the effectiveness of the HNP and undermine the morale of police officers.
Reforming and developing the capacities of the National Police of Haiti, while continuing to support the operations of law enforcement are our priorities. In all these areas, significant advances have been made but many expectations remain unfulfilled.
This transformation of the HNP will require even more expertise, more human resources, material and financial, but perhaps especially more patience, more perseverance.
How to achieve a satisfactory level of safety?
The fight against political violence, armed gangs and organized crime have significantly improved the security situation.
But ordinary crime, mean and petty crime until now masked by political violence and organized crime come to light, sickening, they climbed by less than their frequency in some urban areas, mainly in Port-au-Prince , giving the impression of a return to insecurity.
It should be the place insecurity in context.
First, crimes that could be reported in the past are daily reported today, reflecting the feeling that people no longer feel hostage to gangs and crime (rape, violent crimes etc..).
Then the cycle of crime in order to obtain profits are always marked by an increase in robberies, kidnappings and other attacks on property.
Responding to all forms of crime and delinquency?
The objective is to increase the capacity of the National Police of Haiti in the areas of administrative police (prevent and deter) the police (clarify and punish) and community policing (community participation in management security problems) by developing:
- Maintaining order and peace in the fight against petty crime to protect people and property, maintaining order on the streets and public places (the role of police and police stations) ;
- Response units (SWAT, CIMO) so it is with technology (persuasion, negotiation and enforcement) and means to make it adaptable to master the movements of crowds to ensure the delicate balance between imperatives of public order and respect for the inalienable rights of the person;
- An effective partnership between event organizers and the police;
- Control of trade, possession and carrying of firearms, control trade, stockpiling and use of explosives, (Role Service Control Arms), by adequate regulation of arms trade by the registration of firearms, the issuing and monitoring permits acquisition and carrying of weapons, support and participation in programs of disarmament;
- Monitoring the activities of private security agencies (the role of the Service Control Private Security Agencies) by the application of laws and regulations governing the security agencies among others, their record (to identify the shareholders), emission Operating Permit (after meeting the various tests of morality officers and directors), the investigation of fraudulent agencies and spot checks to detect violations of laws and regulations, maintaining files;
- Civil protection through the prevention and fight against fires, to support disaster management and natural disasters caused and finally, the environmental protection (fight against deforestation, poor sanitation, control activities pollution etc.).
- Operational capabilities of the Central Directorate of Judicial Police and the expertise of its investigators so that it is able to be effective in its mission to discover and record crimes and misdemeanors, to search for authors and evidence and defer to the judicial authorities;
- A reconciliation of the police and citizens who become co-authors of the security;
- Creating a real partnership with social organizations and local institutions, to better anchor the police within the community;
- A modernized police action-oriented problem solving rather than purely reactive;
- Strengthening of preventive actions in order to offer solutions to sources of the problems of crime and delinquency.
Thank you very much.
Speech by Acting Spokesman
Thank you, Commissioner.
We will also proceed immediately to a special session of questions and answers with the Commissioner Diallo.
I therefore ask our friends in the media of book issues that have nothing to do with the police later.
I urge our fellow journalists to please come forward and identify the media they work for, and if possible ask your questions one by one.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Part One)
1-M. Diallo, to hear you, it seems you mean that the balance of the United Nations Mission in Haiti is fully satisfactory for the year 2007. Does this mean that there would need to renew his mandate?
I sincerely believe that the United Nations Mission in Haiti was an exception among United Nations missions in relation to the success it has obtained in so short a time. As I said, we have a level of security, if not acceptable, at least tolerable.
This means that we are aware there is much to do.
But this is quite normal when you know where the country has come.
It knows what needs to be done.
I will simply say this: do you feel today if we eliminate the deterrent forces, the task forces we have there, the Haitian police if she can now maintain the same level of security? I leave you to answer this question.
2 - What will the United Nations in regard to the Haitian political exiles such as former President Jean Bertrand Aristide, former President Jean-Claude Duvalier, Generals Raoul Cedras and Philippe Biamby and others, the status of exile is not recognized by the Haitian Constitution?
Thank you.
It is a very political issue but can not be Police Commissioner of the United Nations without being too political.
The United Nations is the promotion of freedom, therefore, and I said, the main disadvantage of this country is the flight of skills from its workforce. But also, I said, there are too many people are left along the road through all the changes that have occurred.
Ideally, first to appease the political life so as to enable a balanced and respectful expression of public policy. What would a consensus acceptance. Will those in power are in power but they should exercise moderation. Let those who are engaged in the opposition but opposed in the framework of legality. It is clear that otherwise there would be a question of balance of power and the strongest always dominate the weak.
I do not am interfering in the internal problems of Haiti because the resolution that mandated the MINUSTAH in Haiti made it clear in his first article that the Haitian government is sovereign over the entire national territory.
So we’ll have as an international community which is in Haiti to help the Haitian people to find the minimum balance allowing him to take charge of its development in the political, economic and social development. This, I tell you, you can not be made by the international community. Peace and democracy must be an internal conquest. It’s up to you to conquer your democracy and accept democracy as a means of political expression.
Speech by Acting Spokesman
Thank you again, Commissioner, for your participation at this press conference, and also giving us some of your precious time.
Immediately, the rest of the activities of MINUSTAH.
In the agenda of the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Haiti, Mr. Luiz Carlos da Costa:
Under the policy of MINUSTAH for the prevention of abuse and sexual exploitation, the Principal Deputy Special Representative participated Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 at a workshop organized by the Montana Hotel Unit conduct and discipline of the UN Mission in Haiti.
During the seminar, which brought together experts in the Conduct and Discipline based in Haiti or New York as well as representatives of different organizations and UN agencies.
The objective of this meeting was to design and implement an overall communications campaign aimed at preventing sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
Mr. da Costa, on this occasion, accused the United Nations personnel in Haiti as “the exploitation and sexual abuse constitute serious misconduct liable to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Moreover,
As you know, the staff of MINUSTAH has helped since the onset of heavy rains and flooding in Haiti and the warning to evacuate those affected or threatened.
Several relevant sections of MINUSTAH involved with national institutions and the international community, evaluation meetings (to measure the extent of damage) as well as support activities (that is to say, rescue and assistance to victims of natural disasters).
Just to give you an example, the recent floods in the Artibonite Department, I would first like to emphasize that the Haitian government - through its Ministry of Interior - has sent a delegation that visited Gonaives during the past weekend to measure in situ the extent of damage caused by heavy rains particularly in the localities Bigot Cocherel Seprenne and in the city of Gonaives. The international community - through the American NGO Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) funded by USAID - has offered the sum of five thousand dollars for the local purchase of food for disaster victims. The distribution of the food shall be ensured by peacekeepers of the Argentine contingent of MINUSTAH, with the help of staff of the Departmental Committee of risk management and natural disasters). For its part, the Directorate for Civil Protection intends, with the logistical support of MINUSTAH, to send 250 mattresses for people who are currently housed in temporary shelters.
I just gave you the example of the Artibonite.
For the actions of MINUSTAH in other regions affected by recent floods, I intend to contact our friends in the press who want to address this issue in more detail with my colleagues in the Division of Humanitarian Affairs.
Place now the new spokesperson of the MINUSTAH military, Lieutenant-Colonel Damir Milinović, which will review the military activities of the UN Mission in Haiti during the past week.
Damir is yours.
Intervention military spokesman
Hello everyone
As announced by my colleague, I am Colonel Damir Milinović, the new military spokesman.
We’ll start with humanitarian activities, as you know with the floods in different parts of the country, the MINUSTAH troops have helped the residents of several localities in difficulty.
First, the Uruguayan battalion of soldiers helped evacuate residents after heavy rains (the keys) and the north-east.
In the southern department, the MINUSTAH troops have evacuated about 200 people a day since the start of the rains.
The Sri Lankan soldiers have built tents for the families affected (Grand Goave) and also cleaned several sections of roads blocked by floods.
And also (Leogane) the Sir Lankan always carried a pregnant woman to hospital in town.
Despite the many humanitarian assistance operations, military activities of MINUSTAH troops have not changed. We still have the same number of patrols and we operate 24 hours over 24 in all parts of the country. In Cité Soleil, Martissant, Port-au-Prince and in provincial towns.
These military activities have given October 4, during a joint operation in Martissant, the National Police with the support of the military has arrested 2 suspects. The same day the population has returned 1 other suspect in the Sri Lankan soldiers accused of theft.
On October 7, during a joint operation in Boston (Sun City), the National Police with the assistance of the Brazilian military has arrested 2 suspects.
This is the presentation of military activities, thank you for your loyalty, we are ready to answer your questions if needed.
Speech by Acting Spokesman
Thank you to Damir.
We will spend the session of questions and answers, I just want to illustrate this.
I urge our friends in the press to kindly come forward and identify the media they work for. And if possible kindly ask the questions one by one and not multiple sets of questions.
Who starts?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Part Two)
3-Cases of lynching are rising. A Martissant today there were 5 cases of summary execution. Are you aware?
No, I do not know in real time what is happening around the country.
But I am sure my colleagues UNPOL working together with the HNP are so aware that any MINUSTAH who knows if I am not yet able to confirm or deny these reports.
Regarding the cases of lynching, every time we consolidate the items each month.
In early October, it was the report of what happened during the month of September. There are all statistics that I am at your disposal. In July, zero lynching Martissant and Cite Soleil. For the rest of the country, there were 6 cases. At least in August, zero Martissant lynching and lynching in Cité Soleil while two cases were registered across the country. In September, zero lynching Martissant and Cite Soleil, but there are 7 cases for the rest of the country.
What we found is that there is a tendency for a small portion of the population not to lynch him, but rather hand over suspects to the police and national police have arrested individuals for return to the nearest police station.
I know - and we’ll keep all our modesty - that the campaign launched by MINUSTAH against the lynching plays may be because we found a small effort that I hope will be widespread.
You just give me a case.
We can not, on a case, analyze trends.
4-We know that the Security Council of the United Nations is preparing in the coming days to renew the mandate of MINUSTAH, probably for a year. We heard recently the ministers from Latin American countries contributing troops to MINUSTAH advocate for the conversion of a UN Mission Development Mission. What should I expect?
The first part of your question is absolutely true but the second part is false.
It is not at all was a plea to that effect.
Remember that the countries of the international community both in terms of their ambassadors or at the Security Council have the same language.
They know what their troops can do.
And the position of MINUSTAH has always been clear and I think it’s even realistic about where the UN Mission of Peace.
Within the UN, there are agencies that are developing long-term humanitarian agencies that are urgent but the missions of peacekeeping, in any case, intended to make development. This is a contradiction.
You’ve seen the humanitarian activities of UN peacekeepers, the so-called civilian-humanitarian activities, they are small quick impact projects.
For example, during the month of Ramadan, the Jordanian peacekeepers left in orphanages, distributing food and providing school bags … They are acts of generosity.
But it is impossible to ask the military to transform itself into humanitarian, and even less development officers.
5-But what we see today is that Haiti is on the path to stability. You have recognized: it is more lawless areas. Today, we especially need development tools and the Head of State called for a mission that can contribute to socio-economic development?
You’ve followed what the Commissioner has to say about security. There was an improvement in security. But do you, you are able to say today that the security situation is completely resolved?
Note that the Security Council has always recognized in its resolutions that the Haitian situation represents a threat not only for the safety of Haitians but also for international security.
If a country the security situation is resolved permanently, you will have no mission to peacekeeping. We go and we will let the agents of development and humanitarian work done in partnership with the Haitian government for the development of Haiti is with the Haitians.
6-assistance you give to flood victims in recent days will last for how long?
We are available to the Haitian authorities and humanitarian agencies for logistical support in terms of helicopters, all-terrain vehicles. While MINUSTAH is here and puts its logistics at the disposal of the Haitian people as there are natural disasters. Remember what we’ve done to assist the population during the floods in Gonaives in 2004.
7-On approaching the date of renewal of the mandate of MINUSTAH. The Security Council met yesterday of troop contributing countries on the issue. Can we know what is out of this meeting?
I remind you that I am not the spokesman for the Security Council.
Therefore, I am very careful not to give you information on internal consultations take place.
But you know that the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN in Haiti and Head of MINUSTAH is currently in New York.
The Security Council is briefed and examines all the discussions to explore the question of renewing the mandate of MINUSTAH.
But I can not in any way tell you what is discussed at the Security Council.
It’s not all my responsibility.