- United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
Infobox UN
name = United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti
caption =Brazilian Army troops before boarding forMINUSTAH
type = Peacekeeping Mission
acronyms = MINUSTAH
head =Hédi Annabi
status = Active
established =1 June 2004
website = http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/minustah/index.html
parent =United Nations Security Council
subsidiaries =
commons =
footnotes =The United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti ( _fr. Mission des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti), also known as MINUSTAH, an
acronym of the French translation, is aUnited Nations peacekeeping mission inHaiti that has been in operation since 2004. The mission's military component is led by theBrazilian Army and theChilean army . The force commander is Brazilian. The current UN mission is authorized until October, 2008. As of May, 2008, the force was composed of a total of 9,055 uniformed personnel which included 7,174 troops and 1,881 police, supported by an international civilian personnel, a local civilian staff and United Nations Volunteers [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/minustah/facts.html
title=Haiti - MINUSTAH - Facts and Figures
publisher=un.org
accessdate=2007-08-14]Current status
Although the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) has been in Haiti since 2004, it continues to struggle for control over the armed gangs. It maintains an armed checkpoint at the entrance to the
shanty town ofCité Soleil and the road is blocked with armed vehicles. [cite web
url=http://www.redcross.int/EN/mag/magazine2006_2/10-11.html
title= Hoping for change in Haiti’s Cité-Soleil
publisher=International Red Cross
accessdate=2007-08-16] In January 2006, twoJordan ian peacekeepers were killed in Cité Soleil. [cite web
year=2006
month=January 18
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4622772.stm
title=Two UN soldiers killed in Haiti
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-16 ] In October 2006 a heavily armed group of theHaitian National Police were able to enter Cité Soleil for the first time in three years and were able to remain one hour as armored UN troops patrolled the area. Since this is where the armed gangs take their kidnap victims, the police's ability to penetrate the area even for such a short time was seen as a sign of progress.cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/10/061004_soleil.shtml
title=Haiti police visit gang stronghold
publisher=BBC Caribbean
accessdate=2007-08-02] The situation of continuing violence is similar inPort-au-Prince . Ex-soldiers, supporters of the ex-president, occupied the home of ex-presidentJean-Bertrand Aristide against the wishes of the Haitian government. [cite web
year=2004
month=December 16
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4100091.stm
title=Ex-soldiers occupy Aristide home
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-16 ] Before Christmas 2006 the UN force announced that it would take a tougher stance against gang members in Port-au-Prince, but since then the atmosphere there has not improved and the armed roadblocks and barbed wire barricades have not been moved. After four people were killed and another six injured in a UN operation exchange of fire with criminals in Cité Soleil in late January 2007, the United States announced that it would contribute $20 million to create jobs in Cité Soleil. [cite web
url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36772
title=HAITI: Poor Residents of Capital Describe a State of Siege
publisher=ipsnews
accessdate=2007-08-02] [cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/02/070202_citesoleilaid.shtml
title=US aid for Cite Soleil
publisher=BBC Caribbean
accessdate=2007-08-02]In early February 2007, 700 UN troops flooded Cité Soleil resulting in a major gun battle. Although the troop make regular forcible entries into the area, a spokesperson said this one was the largest attempted so far by the UN troops. [cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/02/070211_unhaiti.shtml
title=UN troops flood into Haiti slum
publisher=BBC New
accessdate=2007-08-14] On28 July 2007 ,Edmond Mulet , the UN Special Representative in Haiti and MINUSTAH Mission Chief, warned of a sharp increase inlynching s and other mob attacks in Haiti. He said MINUSTAH, which now has 9,000 troops there, will launch a campaign to remind people lynchings are a crime. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6920240.stm
title=UN concerned at Haiti lynchings
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-02]On
2 August 2007 ,UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon arrived in Haiti due assess the role of the UN forces, announcing that he would visit Cité Soleil during his visit. He said that it was Haiti's largest slum and as such was the most important target for U.N. peace keepers in gaining control over the armed gangs. During his visit he announced an extension of the mandate of the UN forces in Haiti. [cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/08/070802_haitun.shtml
title=UN chief visits Haiti
publisher=BBC Caribbean
accessdate=2007-08-15]President
René Préval has expressed ambivalent feelings about the UN security presence, stating “if the Haitian people were asked if they wanted the UN forces to leave they would say yes.” [cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/08/070802_haitun.shtml
title=UN chief visits Haiti
publisher=BBC Caribbean
accessdate=2007-08-02] Survivors frequently blame the UN peace keepers for deaths of relatives. [cite web
url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2047451,00.html
title=Haiti's children die in UN crossfire
publisher=Guardian Unlimited
accessdate=2007-08-02]In April of 2008, Haiti was facing a severe food crisis as well as governmental destabilization to to Parliament's failure to ratify the president's choice of a prime minister. There were severe riots and the UN force fired rubber bullets in Port au Prince and the riot calmed. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7341683.stm
title=BBC NEWS | Americas | Calm returns to Haiti after riots
publisher=news.bbc.co.uk
accessdate=2008-07-13] The head of MINUSTAH has called for a new government to be chosen as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the UN is providing emergency food. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7353712.stm
title=BBC NEWS | Americas | UN appeals to Haitian politicians
publisher=news.bbc.co.uk
accessdate=2008-07-13]United Nations reports and resolutions
On 23 February, 2004, the
United Nations Security Council was convened at the request ofCARICOM for the first time in four years to address the deteriorating situation in Haiti.UN document |docid=S-PV-4917 |date=26 February 2004 |type=Verbatim Report |body=Security Council |meeting=4917 |accessdate=2007-10-18]On 29 February, 2004, the Security Council passed a resolution "taking note of the resignation of
Jean-Bertrand Aristide as President of Haiti and the swearing-in of PresidentBoniface Alexandre as the acting President of Haiti in accordance with the Constitution of Haiti" and authorized the immediate deployment of a Multinational Interim Force.UN document |docid=S-RES-1529(2004) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2004 |resolution_number=1529 |accessdate=2007-10-18|date=29 February 2004 ]On 30 April, 2004, MINUSTAH was established and given its mandate with a military component of up to 6,700 troops.UN document |docid=S-RES-1542(2004) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2004 |date=
30 April 2007 |resolution_number=1542 |accessdate=2007-10-18]In July the General Assembly authorized the financing of the mission with $200 millionUN document |docid=A-RES-58-311 |type=Resolution |body=General Assembly |session=58 |resolution_number=311 | date=
30 July 2004 |accessdate=2007-10-18] which followed a donors' conference in Washington DC.UN document |docid=S-PRST-2004-32 |type=Presidential Statement |body=Security Council |year=2004 |highlight=rect_229,555_813,687 |page=2 |accessdate=2007-10-18| date=10 September 2004 ]The first progress report from MINUSTAH was released at the end of August.UN document |docid=S-2004-698 |type=Document |body=Security Council |year=2004 |document_number=698 |accessdate=2007-10-18|date=
30 August 2004 ]In September the interim president of Haiti, Boniface Alexandre, spoke to the
United Nations General Assembly in support of MINUSTAH. [ UN document |docid=A-59-PV.6 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbatim Report |session=59 |meeting=6 |page=8 |anchor=pg008-bk07 |date=22 September 2004 |meetingtime=15:00 |speakername=President Alexandre | speakernation=Haiti |accessdate=2007-10-18 ]In November there was a second report,UN document |docid=S-2004-908 |type=Document |body=Security Council |year=2004 |document_number=908 |accessdate=2007-10-18|title=Report of the Secretary-General on the United NationsStabilization Mission in Haiti|date=
18 November 2004 ] and the Security Council mandate for MINUSTAH.UN document |docid=S-PV-5090 |date=29 November 2004 |type=Verbatim Report |body=Security Council |meeting=5090 |accessdate=2007-10-18]The mandate has most recently been extended by the Security Council until October 2008.UN document |docid=S-RES-1780(2007) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2007 |resolution_number=1780 |accessdate=2007-10-18|date=
15 October 2007 ]Background
:"See also:
2004 Haitian coup d'état "According to its mandate from the UN Security Council, MINUSTAH is required to concentrate the use of its resources, including civilian police, on increasing security and protection during the electoral period and to assist with the restoration and maintenance of the rule of law, public safety and public order in Haiti. [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=17082&Cr=Haiti&Cr1
title=Haiti: former Senator detained after UN mission finds illegal weapons
publisher=un.org
accessdate=2007-08-14] Critics argue that the mission's main purpose is to suppress popular opposition to the interim government and to give an impression of legitimacy to the imperialist agenda ofFrance ,Canada , and theU.S. , the three countries responsible for orchestrating the overthrow of the Aristide government in 2004. MINUSTAH was established by UN Security Council Resolution 1542 on30 April 2004 because the Security Council deemed the situation in Haiti to be a threat to international peace and security in the region. [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/minustah/mandate.html
title= Haiti - MINUSTAH - Mandate
publisher=United Nations
accessdate=2007-08-15] In 2004, UN peacekeepers stormedCité Soleil in an attempt to gain control of the area and end the anarchy. [cite web
year=2004
month=December 15
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4096841.stm
title=UN peacekeepers storm Haiti slum
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-16 ] In 2004, independent human rights organizations accused MINUSTAH and theHaitian National Police (HNP) of collaborating in numerous atrocities against civilians. [cite web
url=http://www.law.miami.edu/cshr/CSHR_Report_02082005_v2.pdf
title=Haiti: Human Rights Investigation November 11 - 21, 2004
publisher=Miami Law
accessdate=2007-08-15] [cite web
url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR360602004?open&of=ENG-HTI
title=Haiti: Amnesty International calls on the transitional government to set up an independent commission of enquiry into summary executions attributed to members of the Haitian National Police
publisher=Amnesty International
accessdate=2007-08-15] [cite web
url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/hrp/CAP/Text/Haiti_English_Final.pdf
title=Document currently not found
publisher=Harvard Law
accessdate=2007-08-15] The UN, after repeatedly denying having taken the lives of any civilians, later admitted that civilians may have been killed, but argued that this was not intentional, and that it occurred as a by-product of their crackdown on what they call "gangs". They also said that the UN and MINUSTAH deeply regretted any loss of life during the operation. [cite web
url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article337553.ece
title= UN admits civilians may have died in Haiti peacekeeping raid
publisher= The Independent
accessdate=2007-08-15] [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/pb060705e.pdf
title=MINUSTAH Statement Relating to the Operation Conducted on 05 July 2005 at Cite Soleil
publisher=UN United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
accessdate=2007-08-15]In early 2005, MINUSTAH force commander Lieutenant-General
Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira testified at a congressional commission inBrazil that "we are under extreme pressure from the international community to use violence,” citing Canada, France, and the United States. [cite web
url=http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=6995§ionID=55
title=Canada plays big role in propping up Haiti regime
publisher=ZNet
accessdate=2007-08-15] Later in the year, he resigned, and on1 September 2005 , was replaced byGeneral Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar as force commander of MINUSTAH. On7 January 2006 , Bacellar was found dead in his hotel room. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4590700.stm
title=Haiti UN mission chief found dead
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-15] His interim replacement,Chile an General Eduardo Aldunate Hermann has been criticized for having been trained at theSchool of the Americas , and for having served in the brutal forces ofAugusto Pinochet . In October 2005, the lawyer of the family ofCarmelo Soria , a Spanish diplomat assassinated in 1976, lodged a request with the Chilean judicial system demanding that the General Eduardo Aldunate Herman be heard in the Soria case. According to formerDINA agent Carlos Labarca Sanhueza's judicial testimony, General Herman was part of the "Brigada Mulchén " special DINA unit involved in Soria's assassination [http://www.cooperativa.cl/p4_noticias/antialone.html?page=http://www.cooperativa.cl/p4_noticias/site/artic/20051011/pags/20051011122922.html Familia de Carmelo Soria pidió que se interrogue a militar a cargo de tropas en Haití] , "Radio Cooperativa ", 11 October 2005 es icon] . According to Carmelo Soria's daughter, General Herman was also involved in the assassination of DINA biochemistEugenio Berrios , found dead in 1995 .On
17 January 2006 , it was announced that Brazilian GeneralJosé Elito Carvalho de Siqueira would be the permanent replacement for Bacellar as the head of the United Nations' Haiti force. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4624962.stm
title=New peacekeeping head for Haiti
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-15]On
14 February 2006 , inSecurity Council Resolution 1658 , the United Nations Security Council extended MINUSTAH's mandate until15 August 2006 . [cite web
url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/15/content_4180775.htm
title=Security Council calls on Haitians to refrain from violence
publisher=China View
accessdate=2007-08-15]MINUSTAH is also a precedent as the first mission in the region to be led by the
Brazil ian military, and almost entirely composed of,Latin American forces, particularly fromBrazil ,Argentina ,Chile ,Bolivia ,Ecuador andUruguay . [cite web
url=http://www.focal.ca/pdf/Latam_military.pdf
title=The Changing Role of the Military in Latin America
publisher=Focal
accessdate=2007-08-15] Since1 September 2007 , the mission has been led byTunisia nHédi Annabi . [cite web
url=http://www.minustah.org/articles/639/1/Prise-de-fonction-du-nouveau-Representant-special-du-Secretaire-general-des-Nations-Unies-pour-Haiti-et-Chef-de-la-MINUSTAH/PIOPR347FR2007.html
title=Prise de fonction du nouveau Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies pour Haïti et Chef de la MINUSTAH
publisher=MINUSTAH
accessdate=2007-08-31]6 July 2005 Incident
On
6 July 2005 , MINUSTAH carried out a raid in theCité Soleil section ofPort-au-Prince . MINUSTAH spokespeople claimed that the raid targeted a base of illegally armed rebels led byDread Wilme . Reports from pro-Lavalas sources, as well as journalists such asKevin Pina , contend that the raid targeted civilians and was an attempt to destroy the popular support forHaiti 's exiled former leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, before scheduled upcoming elections.Estimates on the number of fatalities range from five to as high as 80, with the higher numbers being claimed by those reporting that the raid targeted civilians. All sources agree that no MINUSTAH personnel were killed. All sources also agree that
Dread Wilme (birthname "Emmanuel Wilmer") was killed in the raid. MINUSTAH spokespeople called Wilme a "gangster." Other sources, such as the pro-Aristide Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network call Wilme a community leader and amartyr . [cite web
url=http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/haitianlawyers.html
title=Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
publisher=
accessdate=2007-08-15]The incident became a focal point for groups who oppose the MINUSTAH occupation of
Haiti and who support the return of PresidentAristide . [cite web
url=http://www.redcross.int/EN/mag/magazine2006_2/10-11.html
title= Hoping for change in Haiti’s Cité-Soleil
publisher=International Red Cross
accessdate=2007-08-16] MINUSTAH has also been accused by opponents of standing by and allowing the Haitian National Police to commit atrocities and massacres against Lavalas supporters and Haitian citizens opposed to the current occupation.On
6 January 2006 , UN mission head Juan Gabriel Valdés announced that MINUSTAH forces would launch another raid on Cité Soleil. Dismissing fears by human rights groups that more civilians will be killed, Valdés said, "We are going to intervene in the coming days. I think there'll be collateral damage but we have to impose our force, there is no other way." [cite web
url=http://www.ijdh.org/articles/article_halfhourforhaiti_1-10-06.htm
title=Half-Hour for Haiti: Stop “Collateral Damage” in Cite Soleil
publisher=Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti
accessdate=2007-08-15]Mission Composition
Heads of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti:
*Juan Gabriel Valdés ofChile , August 2004 to May 2006. [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sga881.doc.htm
title=Juan Gabriele Valdes appointed special representative and head of UN Mission in Haiti
publisher=www.un.org
accessdate=2008-07-13]
*Edmond Mulet ofGuatemala , June 2006 to August 2007. [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sga1007.doc.htm
title=Secretary-General appoints Edmond Mulet of Guatemala his special representative in Haiti
publisher=www.un.org
accessdate=2008-07-13]
*Hédi Annabi ofTunisia , September 2007 to date. [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sga1081.doc.htm
title=Secretary-General appoints Hédi Annabi OF Tunisa Special Representative, Head of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
publisher=www.un.org
accessdate=2008-07-13] Force commanders of the MINUSTAH military component:
*Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira , Brazil, 2004 to August 2005
*Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar , Brazil, September 2005 to January 2006. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4205630.stm
title=BBC NEWS | Americas | New commander leads Haiti force
publisher=news.bbc.co.uk
accessdate=2008-07-13]
*Eduardo Aldunate Herman , Chile, January 2006 (interim appointment).
*José Elito Carvalho Siqueira , Brazil, January 2006 to January 2007. [cite web
url=http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2006/sga975.html
title=Secretary-General Appoints Lieutenant General José Elito Siqueira Carvalho new Force Commander of UN Mission in Haiti
publisher=www.unis.unvienna.org
accessdate=2008-07-13]
*Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz , Brazil, January 2007 to date. [cite web
url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21192&Cr=haiti&Cr1=
title=Haiti: Brazilian general to be new Force Commander for UN peacekeeping mission
publisher=www.un.org
accessdate=2008-07-13] Countries contributing military personnel: :Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Ecuador(an engineering company embedded in the Chilean force.), France, Guatemala, Jordan, Nepal, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Spain, Sri Lanka, United States, and Uruguay.Countries contributing police/civilian personnel::Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, DR Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Grenada, Guinea, Jordan, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Togo, Turkey, United States, and Uruguay.cite web
year=
month=
url=http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/minustah/facts.html
title=United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
publisher=United Nations
accessdate=2007-11-25 ]ee also
*
List of UN peacekeeping missions
*List of countries where United Nations peacekeepers are currently deployed Notes
References
* [https://listhost.uchicago.edu/pipermail/Haiti-news/2005-July/000790.html From Reuters Alertnet]
* [http://www.haitiaction.net/News/HIP/7_12_5.html HaitiAction.net] , a pro-Aristide site
* [http://outofhaiti.ca/ Canada out of Haiti] , an anti-occupation site
* [http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/pr/2005/07-05-2005.cfm The Doctors without Borders press release indicating that civilians have been targets of the violence in Haiti]
* [http://www.williambowles.info/haiti-news/2005/haiti_report_060705.html A digest ofHaiti an news reports for6 July 2005 ]
* [http://haitisupport.gn.apc.org/fea_news_main.html Another digest ofHaiti an news reports, including coverage of the protests after the raid]
* [http://www.williambowles.info/haiti-news/2005/soleil_update.html A report from the US Labor and Human Rights delegation toHaiti ]
* [http://www.thepowerhour.com/news/haiti_killings.htm The Power Hour] , a pro-Lavalas siteExternal links
* [http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/ Official MINUSTAH website]
* [http://www.minustah.org/ Official Website] (French language)
* [http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/ United Nations' Mission Website]
* [http://www.state.gov/p/io/fs/2004/48612.htm U.S. State Department - Bureau of International Affairs' Fact Sheet]
* [http://www.nepalpolice.gov.np/minustah_mission_in_UN.php Nepal Police - Documentation of Nepal's contribution to MINUSTAH]
* [http://www.haiti.ejercito.mil.ar/ Argentine Military - Documentation of Argentine Army's contribution to MINUSTAH]
* [http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/misiones/haiti.html Argentine Military - Documentation of Argentine Air Force's contribution to MINUSTAH]
* [http://www.ara.mil.ar/La_Armada/MediosyCapacidades/infanteria/misiones/minustah.htm Argentine Military - Documentation of Argentine Navy's contribution to MINUSTAH]
* [http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/pko/minustah.html Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Documentation of Japan's contribution to MINUSTAH]
* [http://www.defence.lk/PrintPage.asp?fname=20061207_02 Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka's contribution to MINUSTAH]
* [http://www.pbase.com/perrona/haiti_photo_haiti Photo Minustah & Haiti]
* [http://www.ijdh.org/articles/article_halfhourforhaiti_1-10-06.htm Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti]
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