Security Council Press Statement on Haiti

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong concern regarding the developments leading to the indefinite postponement of the final round of elections in Haiti, scheduled to have taken place on 27 December 2015 and postponed, for the second time, to 24 January.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern that the delay in elections may undermine Haiti’s ability to address the security, economic and social challenges it faces, and strongly encouraged the Executive, the Parliament and the relevant political actors to come to an agreement by 7 February, providing a Haitian-led and owned road map for the swift conclusion of the current electoral cycle to allow the Haitian people the opportunity to vote for their elected representatives in a free, fair, inclusive and transparent contest.

The members of the Council commended the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Haitian National Police for their efforts to contain the violence and protect the civilian population.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong condemnation of any attempt to destabilize the electoral process, in particular by force, and urged all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other political actors to remain calm, refrain from unlawful violence or any action that can further disrupt the electoral process and political stability, resolve any electoral disputes through established legal mechanisms and to hold those responsible for such violence accountable.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the continued efforts of the United Nations, other multilateral agencies, regional organizations and United Nations Member States in supporting Haiti’s critical needs.

The members of the Security Council expressed their intention to continue to follow closely the situation in Haiti.