52/174 The situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti

The General Assembly,

Having considered the item entitled "The situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti",

Recalling all its relevant resolutions, as well as those adopted on the question by the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights,

Taking note of Security Council resolution 1141 (1997) of 28 November 1997, in which the Council decided to establish the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti,

Taking note also of the relevant resolutions adopted on the question by the Organization of American States,

Reaffirming that the goal of the international community remains the full observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the promotion of social and economic development in Haiti,

Paying tribute to the Haitian people in their ongoing quest for strong and lasting democracy, justice and economic prosperity,

Reaffirming also its support for the people and the Government of Haiti and their efforts to advance democracy, respect for human rights and the reconstruction of Haiti,

Taking note of the postponement of the second round of partial elections, and expressing the hope that the Haitian people will shortly be able to once again express themselves through free and fair elections,

Strongly supporting the continuing leadership of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States in the efforts of the international community in furthering political progress in Haiti,

Welcoming the continued efforts by States to provide humanitarian assistance and technical cooperation to the people of Haiti,

Supporting fully the contributions of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti, its Executive Director and staff, and of the United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti in the establishment of a climate of freedom and tolerance propitious to the full observance of human rights and the full restoration of the constitutional democracy of Haiti,

Encouraging the cooperation between the International Civilian Mission and the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti and others participating in institution-building, including police training activities,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti, ⁽¹⁾ and the request from the President of the Republic of Haiti to the Secretary-General of the United Nations contained in the annex thereto,

Stressing the importance of continuing improvement in the situation of human rights in Haiti, and welcoming the policy statements by Haitian authorities that the Government of Haiti remains committed to upholding human rights and improving accountability,

1. Welcomes the recommendation of the Secretary-General contained in his report to renew the mandate of the joint participation of the United Nations with the Organization of American States in the International Civilian Mission to Haiti, with the tasks of:

(a) Providing technical assistance at the request of the Government of Haiti in the field of institution-building, such as the training of the police and support for efforts towards judicial reform and the establishment of an impartial judiciary;

(b) Supporting the development of a programme for the promotion and protection of human rights, in order to further the establishment of a climate of freedom and tolerance propitious to the consolidation of long-term constitutional democracy in Haiti and to contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions;

(c) Verifying full observance by Haiti of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

2. Decides to authorize, on the basis of the above recommendation, the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations component of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti until 31 December 1998, according to the terms of reference and modalities under which the Mission is operating;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at least two reports on the implementation of the present resolution and, in the case of the last such report, on the ways in which the international community can continue to assist with the tasks set out in paragraph 1 above;

4. Reaffirms once again the commitment of the international community to continue its technical, economic and financial cooperation with Haiti in support of its economic and social development efforts and in order to strengthen Haitian institutions responsible for dispensing justice and guaranteeing democracy, respect for human rights, political stability and economic development;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations system in providing humanitarian aid and contributing to the development of Haiti;

6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-third session the item entitled "The situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti".

1. A/52/687.