Friday, 18 October 2024 The UN Security Council has renewed for one year the sanctions regime against Haiti, including a targeted asset freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo, aimed at curbing the illicit flow of weapons to criminal gangs that have wreaked havoc in the Caribbean island nation.

In unanimously adopting resolution 2752 (2024) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the 15 members of the Council determined that the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region.

The resolution underscores the continuation of sanctions measures initially imposed in previous resolutions to prevent the supply of weapons and military equipment to gangs operating in Haiti.

Exemptions for the UN and the Haitian Government :

The resolution provides exemptions for supplies intended to support UN missions or authorized by the UN and Haitian security forces.

Supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use and related technical assistance or training, to promote peace and stability in Haiti, are also exempted.

Better coordination needed :

The resolution also stresses the need to prevent illicit arms trafficking and encourages coordination between the UN, regional organizations and the Haitian Government to improve border security and manage weapons stockpiles.

In particular, it calls on the Haitian Government to strengthen the capacity of its national police to control weapons and ammunition, including by strengthening border and customs controls.

Sanctions Committee :

With this resolution, the Security Council also renewed the mandate of the sanctions committee and extended the work of the group of experts for 13 months. The committee is responsible for updating the list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions, in particular those violating the arms embargo.

In addition, the resolution establishes benchmarks for the lifting of sanctions, including reducing armed violence, improving the rule of law, and reducing arms trafficking.

HL/ HaitiLibre