“I come here on behalf of my people to make visible the security problem that we are facing”
The Prime Minister and representative of Haiti, Ariel Henry,takes the stage, in another day of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, focused on climate change, the war in Ukraine and the economic, humanitarian and security crisis around the world. teleSUR
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00:00 - Yes, the assembly.
00:01 - Monsieur--
00:06 - President of the General Assembly,
00:09 Secretary General,
00:13 Excellencies,
00:16 Heads of State and Governments,
00:19 Heads of Delegations,
00:23 Distinguished Delegates,
00:26 Compatriots.
00:29 First of all,
00:30 I'd like to congratulate
00:33 my Caribbean brother,
00:36 His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis,
00:39 on his election as the President
00:41 of the 78th Ordinary Session
00:44 of the United Nations General Assembly.
00:46 I take this opportunity
00:49 to also commend the Secretary General.
00:54 I thank him on behalf of the people of Haiti.
00:58 We very much appreciated his recent visit
01:02 to our country and his unwavering support
01:06 to Haiti in the Security Council
01:11 and its robust support to the National Police of Haiti.
01:17 President,
01:18 I commend the choice of theme
01:23 to guide our statements during this session,
01:27 namely rebuilding trust
01:30 and reigniting global solidarity,
01:32 accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda
01:38 and its sustainable development goals
01:42 towards peace, prosperity,
01:45 progress and sustainability for all.
01:49 We must therefore consider and propose solutions
01:55 to the main global challenges
01:57 in order to move us towards peace, security
02:01 and sustainable development.
02:04 Indeed, it's difficult to think of
02:10 or imagine sustainable development
02:14 without peace and security.
02:16 We need solidarity and determination
02:18 in order to overcome these challenges.
02:21 The world ahead of the 2030 deadline
02:26 is in a poor state.
02:28 The outbreak of several conflicts
02:31 with disastrous consequences for civilian populations,
02:34 the multiplication of security,
02:38 health and food crises remind us
02:44 that we are moving further away
02:50 from the lofty ideals of the UN Charter
02:52 by way of example,
02:55 food insecurity caused by conflict and violence.
03:00 The Global Report 2023 on Food Crises
03:06 states that 258 million people
03:11 were in a situation of acute food insecurity
03:16 and needed emergency food assistance in 2022.
03:21 That is why my country took part
03:26 in the high-level open debate
03:29 on conflict-induced global food insecurity,
03:35 which was organized in August by the Security Council
03:40 in order to sound the alarm.
03:45 The global economy since the COVID-19 crisis
03:50 has been stagnant.
03:52 Inflation is striking several economies
03:57 and the prospects of growth are not encouraging.
04:02 President, this situation indeed has consequences
04:09 on less developed countries,
04:11 especially Haiti, which is always facing price volatility
04:17 and a serious crisis exacerbated
04:24 by the deterioration of the security situation
04:26 of the country.
04:28 I should also note against this alarming backdrop,
04:32 the issue of climate change,
04:34 which for small island states like Haiti
04:38 is a constant danger.
04:41 It seriously tests us.
04:45 With every hurricane,
04:46 economies in the Caribbean region suffer huge losses,
04:50 and this challenges the significant progress
04:55 that has been made in socioeconomic
04:58 and political terms
05:00 due to the destruction of economic,
05:02 educational, health, and energy infrastructure.
05:09 As the head of the government of Haiti,
05:16 this is an opportunity for me to set out the situation
05:22 in my country, which has been in the middle of a crisis for years,
05:26 and we need to find tangible, lasting solutions to this.
05:30 This is a structural, multidimensional crisis
05:34 which has impacted institutions
05:38 and is hindering economic development and social progress.
05:43 It has now reached a critical point.
05:48 With the deterioration of the security situation,
05:51 on a daily basis,
05:54 people are facing violent attacks by armed gangs
05:59 which control various areas in the capital
06:03 and some provincial towns.
06:05 They assassinate, they set fires,
06:11 they pillage, steal, and abuse with particular cruelty.
06:18 They drive citizens from their homes,
06:22 they block roads,
06:24 and they force schools and hospitals,
06:27 as well as businesses, to close their doors.
06:31 The deterioration of the security situation in recent weeks
06:38 has led to a new humanitarian crisis with displaced persons
06:44 spontaneously occupying various sites to escape gang violence.
06:51 More than 25 schools in the capital
06:54 are used by internally displaced persons
06:58 to an estimated sum of over 16,500 people.
07:04 They face serious difficulties
07:06 and they are experiencing subhuman conditions.
07:10 The health threat is also present,
07:13 with cases of cholera being detected in certain areas.
07:18 This increases the risk of transmission
07:23 and is a real public health issue for the population.
07:28 Abuse, systematic human rights violations
07:32 caused by gang violence
07:34 compromises peace, stability,
07:37 and the security of the country and the region as a whole.
07:41 Kidnappings, pillaging, fires, the recent massacres,
07:51 sexual and sexist violence, organ trafficking,
07:56 human trafficking, homicides, extrajudicial executions,
08:03 the recruitment of child soldiers,
08:06 the blocking of main roads.
08:09 This is but a non-exhaustive list of crimes
08:14 perpetrated by armed gangs.
08:16 As a result, there are serious consequences,
08:21 such as poor economic performance.
08:26 We have seen five years of contraction
08:31 with a negative growth rate
08:35 and increased inflation of over 50%.
08:41 Moreover, the humanitarian crisis is exacerbated.
08:45 According to estimates, 4.3% of the population
08:51 and 1.9 million people in my country face food insecurity.
08:58 This is about half of the population
09:03 living below the poverty line
09:07 on less than two American dollars per day.
09:10 President,
09:16 we are not here to make up for or justify the past.
09:21 We are here to ask our friendly countries
09:26 to understand that there is something urgent to be done
09:35 to benefit the people of Haiti
09:38 and to help us to create a better future
09:41 for the children of Haiti
09:43 by establishing security and stability.
09:46 The Republic of Haiti has seen many successive shocks
09:54 over the last 15 years.
09:57 Three major earthquakes,
09:59 several cyclones,
10:01 and the awful assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
10:10 It's impossible today
10:12 to invent a peaceful story about Haiti.
10:21 The reality is there and it calls on us all.
10:25 Many poor decisions and inappropriate behavior
10:32 as well as various instances of radicalization
10:36 has brought us to this stage.
10:39 Today, once again, at this rostrum,
10:45 I am asking for help
10:48 to allow Haitians to stay in their homes.
10:52 We are seeking tranquility
10:58 that their homeland can remain that.
11:04 In particular, given economic crises and the climate crisis,
11:15 I reiterate on behalf of the people of Haiti
11:19 and the government
11:21 the request to help bolster the National Police of Haiti
11:30 so that it can truly respond to the challenges it faces
11:36 in its mission to protect the lives of those in the country.
11:44 Some countries have seen similar situations
11:49 as Haiti faces right now.
11:51 Criminals feel that they are all powerful
11:57 and this is unacceptable.
12:00 They must not evade the law
12:03 and the will of our citizens exists
12:07 to once again have freedom of movement.
12:11 Haitians
12:14 today
12:19 very much hope that they can return home.
12:25 We are very grateful to countries who have helped us.
12:31 However, I'd like to also say
12:35 that
12:39 it's also very important to engage in reconstruction.
12:49 President,
12:52 I have come here today on behalf of the people of Haiti
12:56 to tell you that we are ready for that change
13:00 which we have been waiting for for almost two centuries now.
13:04 Freedom can only be complete
13:07 if it enables each citizen
13:11 to live in dignity and decent conditions.
13:19 I have come here today on behalf of my people
13:23 to raise our security question
13:27 which remains the key priority of my government
13:30 to highlight that the circulation of arms,
13:34 massacres, kidnappings
13:37 are major concerns for my administration.
13:41 President,
13:46 the daily lives of the people of Haiti
13:49 is very difficult.
13:51 That is why the Security Council
13:54 which has the power and the necessary authority
13:57 under Chapter 7 of the Charter
14:01 must take urgent action
14:04 by authorizing the deployment of a multinational support mission
14:09 to underpin security in Haiti
14:13 consisting of both police and military personnel
14:16 to support Haiti's National Police Force
14:19 to combat the gangs and restore peace and order.
14:25 The use of force as an initial step
14:29 remains essential to create an environment
14:33 in which the state can function properly again.
14:36 It is a necessary initial stage
14:40 but it is not enough in and of itself
14:42 social and economic development must also be addressed
14:46 in order to find a sustainable solution to extreme poverty
14:50 which is the origin of all of the ills facing my country.
14:54 Social inequalities
14:57 and the very unequal distribution of wealth in Haiti
15:02 has caused a huge gap to exist
15:06 between the poor masses and a small minority
15:11 which possesses and controls 90% of the country's riches.
15:16 The extreme poverty in my country
15:21 accentuates unemployment amongst the youth
15:24 marginalizes poor communities
15:26 who are then easily tempted into a life of crime.
15:31 That category is fertile ground for recruitment by gangs.
15:40 Once again, from this rostrum
15:44 I send out a call to all Haitians of good faith
15:50 those living in the diaspora
15:52 and those still within our borders
15:55 to all actors in political life
15:59 whatever their persuasion
16:01 to work hand in hand with the government
16:03 to combat the gangs
16:06 restore security
16:09 and as true democrats
16:12 to seek power via the ballot box.
16:17 My interim government
16:20 is determined to hold elections
16:24 as soon as practically possible.
16:27 In the days to come
16:30 despite the situation in the country
16:33 I will finalize an agreement with the High Authority for the Transition
16:38 setting down the steps necessary for an electoral consensus
16:43 with the support of the international community.
16:47 The government intends to continue dialoguing
16:53 with all political actors
16:56 and civil society stakeholders in Haiti
17:00 in order together to find
17:04 a patriotic historical consensus
17:09 necessary to find a way out of this crisis.
17:14 Democracy is at peril.
17:18 Our country needs a return to normalcy
17:22 in order thereafter to be able to address the major challenges it faces.
17:30 I also wish to see women and young people
17:34 play a major role in civil society
17:37 as well as all other actors
17:39 in order to get our country back up on its feet.
17:43 Only a legitimate government
17:47 elected in free, honest, democratic and transparent elections
17:53 will have the strength to tackle the economic, territorial, social
18:02 and institutional challenges we face.
18:05 President
18:07 I wish to bring to the attention of the international community
18:13 a situation which has been emerging in recent weeks
18:17 on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic
18:21 causing unnecessary problems
18:26 between the two republics which share the island.
18:29 I wish to state that the Republic of Haiti is not at war with anyone.
18:37 Haitians are a generous people
18:41 who have always shown solidarity and who believe in dialogue
18:45 and the ability to fairly share shared resources
18:52 in full mutual respect.
18:56 I came here today to let you know
19:05 that we have no intention
19:09 of any form to prejudge the neighbours
19:16 with whom we share our island
19:18 and with whom we must coexist and advance.
19:23 History teaches us day in day out
19:27 that violence with a brotherly country
19:29 can only lead to regrets
19:32 and leave behind bitterness and remorse
19:36 handed down from generation to generation.
19:40 I have come here today
19:44 to say and above all
19:47 to pass on the message of the entire Haitian people
19:51 the river known as the Rivière Massacre
19:56 a background of friction between Haiti
20:04 and the Dominican Republic
20:07 means that we must do our very best
20:12 to ensure that old demons do not break free again
20:18 that we do not open old wounds or cause new ones.
20:22 Haiti reaffirms the sovereign rights of the Haitian people
20:31 to use binational water resources
20:35 just like the Dominican Republic does
20:38 and we call for an equitable sharing of the river's resources.
20:50 The Haitian people chooses the path of dialogue and negotiation
20:58 to peacefully resolve any differences, any conflicts
21:04 under the auspices of international agreements
21:09 signed in good faith between the two states in 1929
21:13 and again in 2021.
21:15 President,
21:17 before concluding
21:21 I take this opportunity
21:25 to send my best wishes to the brotherly and friendly countries
21:29 as well as international organizations
21:32 for their commitment and expressions of solidarity towards Haiti.
21:39 In particular, I highlight Kenya
21:44 who has taken on the leadership
21:51 of the security force
21:55 and has already in August last
21:58 conducted an evaluation mission in our country.
22:02 We wish to also express our thanks
22:06 to CARICOM
22:09 and a number of eminent individuals.
22:15 President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
22:21 over the course of history
22:27 Haiti has been an emblematic example of freedom and solidarity.
22:32 We have always been there to help brotherly countries
22:38 in their legitimate struggle for freedom and self-determination
22:43 including here within the United Nations.
22:48 The Republic of Haiti identifies with the universal principles
22:53 for which it fought in the 18th and 19th centuries.
22:57 Despite the many sufferances and distress of my country
23:04 we remain hopeful.
23:07 The Haitian people continues its quest for a better future of dignity.
23:14 The people of Haiti
23:16 just like it showed the world in 1804
23:21 changing radically its status from slave to freeman
23:26 can once again and wishes once again to rewrite its future.
23:32 I call for support, fraternal solidarity
23:41 so that we may turn the page on this dark time in our history.
23:48 I call on the international community to take action quickly.
23:53 We hope to long live good relations with our brotherly people in Africa
24:05 with our international partners. Long live Haiti.
24:08 On behalf of the Assembly I wish to thank the Prime Minister
24:13 and Minister of Culture and Communication of the Republic of Haiti.
24:18 For more information visit www.ilo.org
24:24 ILO 2019
24:27 www.ilo.org/covid19