The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, Gustavo Gallón, arrived at the end of February and will stay in Haiti until March 11, to assess the current human rights situation and follow up on his previous recommendations.

"I will pay especial attention to progress made in the areas of elections, conditions of detention, long pre-trial detention, illiteracy, impunity for past violations of human rights and the situation of victims of natural disasters, which I have reiterated in my reports to the Human Rights Council," Mr. Gallón said.

Gustavo Gallón will also review the situation of people affected by hurricane Matthew, four months after it hit Haiti, along with the situation of people deported from the Dominican Republic and problems related to the cholera epidemic.

During his seventh visit to Haiti, the Expert will meet with representatives of the new Government elected on 20 November 2016. "I take note of the final results of Presidential and Legislative elections, and I praise the commitment of the Provisional Government to guarantee a smooth electoral process," Mr. Gallón noted. "I will share with them my views on the main human rights challenges faced by Haiti."

The Independent Expert will also meet with other Haitian authorities -including the Office of Citizen Protection-, the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and UN agencies, as well as human rights defenders and civil society organizations.

HL/ HaitiLibre