HAITI MOVING FORWARD - ONU en Haiti

prefaceMARIANO FERNáNDEZ AmunáteguiSpecial Representative of the Secretary-General in HaitiThe current political situation in Haiti is characterized by a stabilization process that, although fragile, showspromise and must be nurtured. Enduring political stability is the key to strengthening the country’s governanceinstitutions, promoting socio-economic development, and attracting foreign investment.The holding of credible partial legislative, municipal and local elections in 2013 will reinforce State institutionsboth at the national and local level. In 2012, the publication of the corrected version of the constitutionalamendments and the installation of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (legislated for in a 2007 law tostrengthen the independence of the judiciary, but until now never constituted) represented significant stridesby Haiti’s Government to strengthen rule of law institutions.The overall security situation in 2012 remained relatively stable, with instances of civil unrest linked primarily tosocio-economic grievances in a difficult economic context characterized by low economic growth. Although theperformance of the Haitian National Police continued to gradually improve in 2012, the institution is not yet ina position to assume full responsibility for the provision of internal security across the country’s departments.In this context, MINUSTAH military and police personnel played a vital role in the maintenance of overall securityand stability. The United Nations in Haiti and its international partners continued to provide technical, financialand logistical support to advance key stabilization processes including, among others, the strengthening of theHaitian National Police, preparation for the forthcoming elections, and reform of key rule of law institutionssuch as the judiciary and the corrections system.3