The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Thursday, July 6, called on the UN Security Council and member states to “create the conditions for the deployment of a multinational force to assist the Haitian National Police,” amid growing violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Guterres specified, “We are not calling for a military or political mission of the United Nations. We are calling for a robust security force deployed by Member States to work hand-in-hand with the Haitian National Police to defeat and dismantle the gangs and restore security across the country.”
In October of 2022, the Haitian government requested UN security forces to assist in quelling violent gangs that have taken over the capital city of Port-au-Prince, and much of the rest of the tiny island nation. Their calls have yet to be answered, said the UN head.
“Predatory gangs are using kidnappings and sexual violence as weapons to terrorize entire communities... The world must act now to stem the violence and instability,” Guterres said.
Guterres also called on the international community to fulfill their humanitarian aid pledges and shore up the UN’s $720 million humanitarian response plan, of which only 23 percent is currently funded.
The UN chief asked for all social and political actors to accelerate their efforts toward a desperately needed political solution.
“There can be no sustainable security without a political solution that allows for the restoration of democratic institutions,” Guterres said.
The head of the UN also condemned Israel's violence in the West Bank and called on Israel to end its decades-long illegal military occupation of Palestinian lands.
“Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years. Schools and hospitals were damaged. Water and electricity networks were disrupted. And people in need were prevented from accessing essential care and relief.”
Guterres reminded Israel, “as the Occupying Power, that it has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence.”
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