Introduction
Haitians remain mired in a human rights crisis despite the presence of a UN peacekeeping force, the Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). In fact, little tangible progress has been made to protect human rights since the interim government took office in early March 2004 and in the year since MINUSTAH arrived in the country. Violent crime, confrontations between armed groups and gangs, and unlawful use of force by police continue to claim the lives of civilians on a daily basis.
Haiti's human rights problems could worsen in the run-up to elections scheduled for the end of 2005. Politically motivated arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment, extrajudicial executions, deliberate and arbitrary killings of civilians, rape, death threats and intimidation are routine and are perpetrated with impunity. The abuses are taking place against a background of increased insecurity and endemic criminal violence. The alleged perpetrators include armed gangs with or without political ties to former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, rogue police officers, former rebels and demobilized members of the former Haitian Armed Forces (Forces Armées d'Haïti, FADH), and organized crime.
Much of the current crisis stems from the armed rebellion that forced out former President Aristide in February 2004 and from the dispute within Haiti over the legitimacy of the interim government headed by Gérard Latortue. Since 30 September 2004, hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in an upsurge of political violence that followed a series of demonstrations organized by Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas Party to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the military coup that deposed President Aristide in 1991. Many of the killings are believed to have been carried out by armed gangs allegedly supporting Jean-Bertrand Aristide and by Haitian National Police (HNP) officers. These gangs are said to be responsible for numerous killings, including of policemen.
Haiti's recurring political crises are rooted in long-term patterns of human rights abuses committed with impunity. The current crisis is no exception.
The political violence is compounded by a grave humanitarian crisis. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas and ranks 153 in the world in terms of the Human Development Index. Life expectancy at birth, for men and women alike, is less than 50 years, while infant mortality was 79 per 1000 live births in 2002. Illiteracy is widespread and nearly two-thirds of the population live under the national poverty line. Rates of illiteracy and poverty are highest in the countryside where around two-thirds of the 8 million population lives. Haiti has also the highest prevalence (5.6 per cent) of HIV-AIDS outside the sub-Saharan region. Access to retrovirus medicine remains scarce as the national health system is severely under-funded.
This appalling situation compelled the international community to mobilize its resources. On 19 and 20 July 2004, at the International Donor's Conference in Washington DC, the international community addressed the enormous task of rebuilding Haiti. Amnesty International urged participants to support plans to protect and promote human rights and to ensure that adequate funds were made available to this end. The response was generous and exceeded expectations. However, the succeeding months have seen only limited fulfilment of the promises made. Meanwhile, Haitians continue to face enormous problems in all aspects of their lives.
The proliferation of arms has exacerbated the political crisis. In view of this, disarmament has become the main and most pressing issue as Haiti heads towards elections in October and November 2005 that should mark a return to democratic rule.
In a June 2004 report, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan concluded that "a long-term effort and an international commitment are needed to rebuild the economic and social structures, and support the Government and people of Haiti in building democratic institutions together". This commitment was reiterated on 12 January 2005 by the UN Security Council, which expressed "its support for United Nations presence in Haiti as long as necessary".
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