UN Security Council authorizes multinational security support mission to Haiti

WASHINGTON

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution Monday authorizing the deployment of a multinational security support mission to Haiti, one year after the Caribbean nation asked for support to fight gang violence.

Thirteen members of the 15-member council voted in favor of the resolution while Russia and China abstained.

The resolution, which was drafted by the US and Ecuador, authorized member states participating in the mission in Haiti to "to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate, strictly adhering to all international law, including international human rights law, as applicable."

It also reaffirmed the "commitment of the international community to address the security and humanitarian needs in Haiti," including support to the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

The force is expected to be led by Kenya, which has pledged the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers, with the Bahamas committing 150 people. Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda also announced that they were willing to help.

The resolution welcomed the announcement by Kenya to "to positively consider leading a multinational mission at the invitation of Haiti and in response to the appeal by the UN Secretary-General.”

Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the acting US deputy representative to UN, told the Security Council that its members had made history and stepped up to create a new way of preserving global peace and security.

He said the mission came at the request of the Haitian government and civil society to "address the insecurity and dire humanitarian crisis the country has faced for far too long."

“The deployment of this mission will help to support Haiti's critical near-term needs and to foster the security conditions necessary for the country to advance long-term stability," he added.

Russia's UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, said Haiti's history contains a lot of experience of irresponsible foreign interference.

"That was what gave rise to the downward spiral that Haitians have not been able to overcome for years. Authorizing another use of force in Haiti without a precise understanding of the parameters of the mission that is being authorized is short-sighted," said Nebenzia.

Gang violence in recent years has plunged the Caribbean nation into an unprecedented crisis. Gangs control 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince, which is home to 3 million people who are exposed to rape, torture and kidnappings.