At Brussels donors' conference for Haiti, UN envoy hopes for emergency fund

The United Nations Secretary-General's representative in Haiti is in Brussels today for a two-day European Union (EU) donors' conference which he hopes will create an emergency fund for the troubled Caribbean country.

Special Representative Juan Gabriel Valdés, who heads the peacekeeping UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), said international contributions for the country were lagging behind pledges and more money was needed to conduct successful elections later this year.

The UN Security Council urged the Haitian authorities on Tuesday to work with MINUSTAH to develop a phased electoral plan as a matter of priority, with a view to finalizing a feasible electoral calendar. It also urged the Haitian authorities to publish the final list of candidates for the elections and, in consultation with MINUSTAH, agree on a list of voting centres.

In the area of criminal justice, the Council urged the Transitional Government to work with MINUSTAH to put into effect reforms of the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the judicial system. The Council voiced concern over reports that some Haitian police officers were involved in serious crimes and human rights violations and stressed the need to investigate fully any such allegations.

In a formal statement, the Council President for October, Ambassador Gheorghe Dumitru of Romania, also said that while the responsibility for Haiti's future lay with its Government and people, the international community should continue to provide support.