Letter to the Editor: UN mission in Haiti is not 'all about scandal'
Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Haiti, defends the work of the UN mission (MINUSTAH) there.
In light of the recent article entitled “Will the United Nations’ legacy in Haiti be all about scandal?” I wish to clarify some facts and assessments on the role of MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti):
MINUSTAH, since its deployment in 2004, steadily contributed in moving the country from a state of political violence and unrest to a state of peace and democratic stability, allowing the holding of three democratic elections and a democratic transfer of power.
Maintaining security and dissuading criminality is an ongoing task that MINUSTAH Blue Helmets are dedicated to fulfill daily, in support of the Haitian National Police, along with the development of the Haitian Police in numbers and professionalism.
Consolidating peace, democratic stability, and the rule of law is another fundamental part of the mission’s mandate. Serious advances are tangible, and Haiti is on the path toward a true stabilization process, with a new government in place, while MINUSTAH’s leadership continues to work closely with the public powers of the country to strengthen national and local institutional capacity. The publication of the constitutional amendments that will lead to the organization of senate and local elections by the end of this year is a very clear indication that the country is moving forward.
It is worth recalling here that as the threats facing Haiti evolved, and as the country developed its own security capacity, the Security Council envisaged in summer 2009 a progressive reconfiguration of the role of the MINUSTAH police and military components.
