United Nations Security Council Resolution 1743

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5631st meeting, on 15 February 2007

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particular its resolutions 1702 (2006), 1658 (2006), 1608 (2005), 1576 (2004) and 1542 (2004), as well as relevant statements by its President,

Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti,

Welcoming the progress achieved in Haiti’s political process, including through the successful holding of national, municipal and local elections in 2006 and reiterating its appeal to the Government of Haiti and all Haitians to continue to pursue all-inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation in order to strengthen democratic governance,

Recognizing the interconnected nature of the challenges in Haiti, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, rule of law and institutional reform, national reconciliation, and development are mutually reinforcing, and welcoming the continuing efforts of the Haitian Government and the international community to address these challenges,

Recognizing that respect for human rights, due process and addressing the issue of criminality and credible, competent, and transparent governance are essential to ensuring security in Haiti,

Expressing its appreciation to MINUSTAH, a key actor in the ongoing stabilization of the country, for continuing to assist the Government of Haiti to ensure a secure and stable environment, and welcoming the close collaboration that has developed in this regard,

Emphasizing the role of the regional organizations in the ongoing process of stabilization and reconstruction of Haiti and calling on MINUSTAH to continue to work closely with the Organization of the American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),

Emphasizing that a combination of measures are necessary to effectively disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate gang members and encouraging the Government of Haiti in coordination with the international community, to accelerate efforts towards this end,

Calling on the Haitian Government, in coordination with the international community, to maintain momentum behind security sector reform, in particular the Haitian National Police (HNP) Reform Plan, as well as efforts to reform the judiciary and correctional systems, including by addressing prolonged pretrial detentions and prison overcrowding, and by putting an end to impunity,

Encouraging the development by the Haitian authorities, with the support of donors and regional organizations, of permanent and effective electoral institutions,

Urging the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the international community, to establish a unified justice sector reform strategy encompassing merging of resources and joint planning,

Underlining the need for the quick implementation of highly effective and visible labour-intensive projects that help create jobs and deliver basic social services, and emphasizing the importance of quick-impact projects in the postelectoral phase,

Acknowledging the laudable work done by Haitian authorities and MINUSTAH to respond to the needs of disaster-affected people and welcoming future coordinated actions in this regard,

Expressing gratitude to the troops and police personnel of MINUSTAH and to their countries and paying tribute to those injured or killed in the line of duty,

Stressing that the Haitian people and their Government hold primary responsibility for achieving stability, social and economic development, and law and order in their country, and recognizing the commitment of the Government of Haiti to its people and to international partners,

Determining that the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, despite the progress achieved thus far,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, as described in section 1 of operative paragraph 7 of resolution 1542 (2004),

1. Decides to extend the mandate of MINUSTAH as contained in its resolutions 1542 (2004), 1608 (2005) and 1702 (2006) until 15 October 2007 with the intention to renew for further periods;

2. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s report S/2006/1003 of 19 December 2006, and takes note of its recommendations;

3. Expresses its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, notably in his efforts to improve the security situation in close cooperation with the Government of Haiti, and reaffirms his authority in the coordination and conduct of all activities of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in Haiti;

4. Recognizes the ownership and primary responsibility of the Government of Haiti over all aspects of the country’s stabilization and good governance and recognizes the role of MINUSTAH in supporting the Government’s efforts in this regard, and encourages the Government of Haiti to continue to take full advantage of international support to enhance its capacity;

5. Reaffirms its call upon MINUSTAH to support the constitutional and political process under way in Haiti, including through its good offices and, in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, to promote all-inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation;

6. Welcomes the continuing contribution by MINUSTAH to capacity and institution-building at all levels, and calls upon MINUSTAH, consistent with its mandate, to expand such support to strengthen State institutions, especially outside Port-au-Prince, including through the provision of specialized expertise to key ministries;

7. Requests that MINUSTAH continue the increased tempo of operations in support of the HNP against armed gangs as deemed necessary to restore security, notably in Port-au-Prince, and encourages MINUSTAH and the Government of Haiti to undertake coordinated deterrent actions to decrease the level of violence;

8. Requests also the United Nations country team and calls upon the humanitarian and development actors, to complement security operations undertaken by the Government of Haiti with the support of MINUSTAH with activities aimed at effectively improving the living conditions of the concerned populations;

9. Requests MINUSTAH to continue to implement quick-impact projects;

10. Requests, in this context, MINUSTAH to accelerate efforts to reorient its disarmament, demobilization and reintegration resources towards a comprehensive community violence reduction programme as decided in resolution 1702 (2006), in close coordination with the Government of Haiti and other relevant actors;

11. Deplores and condemns in the strongest terms any attack against personnel from MINUSTAH and demands that no acts of intimidation or violence be directed against United Nations and associated personnel and other international and humanitarian organizations engaged in humanitarian, development or peacekeeping work;

12. Reaffirms MINUSTAH’s mandate to provide operational support to the Haitian coast guard, and invites Member States, in coordination with MINUSTAH, to engage with the Government of Haiti to address cross-border illicit trafficking of drugs and arms, and other illegal activities;

13. Welcomes progress in the implementation of the HNP Reform Plan and requests MINUSTAH to remain engaged in assisting the Government of Haiti to reform and restructure the HNP, consistent with its mandate, including by increasing momentum behind the monitoring, mentoring, training, vetting of all police personnel and the strengthening of institutional capacities;

14. Requests MINUSTAH to provide necessary support for the Haitian authorities’ efforts to reform the key elements of justice and the corrections sectors, closely synchronized with the plan for the reform and restructuring of the HNP, consistent with its mandate under resolution 1542 (2004) and as further decided in resolution 1702 (2006), and encourages the Government of Haiti to take full advantage of that support;

15. Reaffirms MINUSTAH’s human rights mandate and calls on the Haitian authorities to continue their efforts to promote and protect human rights;

16. Welcomes MINUSTAH’s policy to promote and protect the rights of women and to take into account gender considerations as set out in Security Council resolution 1325 as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and keep the Council informed;

17. Strongly condemns the grave violations against children affected by armed violence, as well as widespread rape and other sexual abuse of girls;

18. Underlines the importance of continued assistance to help address the basic needs of Haiti’s population and in that regard takes notes with appreciation of the Joint Communiqué of the International Conference for the Economic and Social Development for Haiti held in Madrid, Spain, on 30 November 2006, and encourages donors to accelerate the disbursement of their pledges as a contribution to development and stability in Haiti;

19. Calls on MINUSTAH to continue its efforts to enhance its coordination with the United Nations country team and the various development actors in Haiti in order to ensure greater efficiency in development efforts and to address urgent development problems;

20. Calls on the United Nations system and the international community, in particular donor countries, in cooperation with the Haitian authorities, to devise and support a renewed aid coordination system, which would focus on immediate needs as well as on long-term reconstruction and poverty reduction;

21. Requests MINUSTAH to maintain a proactive communications and public outreach strategy to improve public understanding of the mandate and the role of MINUSTAH in Haiti;

22. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all MINUSTAH personnel with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to ensure that acts involving their personnel are properly investigated and punished;

23. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the implementation of MINUSTAH’s mandate semi-annually but not later than 45 days prior to its expiration, and to include in his report a comprehensive assessment of the security risks, challenges and priorities facing Haiti, including specific recommendations on how to accelerate the peacebuilding process, build institutional capacity in the security and justice sectors, and achieve disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration in Haiti;

24. Decides to remain seized of the matter.