ARTICLE - MINUSTAH - POST-ELECTORAL CRISIS

THE MINUSTAH REMAINS CONCERNED BY THE POST-ELECTORAL CRISIS
(HaitiLibre) -

The Minustah remains concerned by the post-electoral crisis linked to the contestation of the final results of the legislative elections. The Minustah reiterates its solidarity with the Haitian people in the claim of their right to choose their political leaders through free and fair elections. The Minustah has taken note of the report of the Electoral observation mission OAS/CARICOM (JEOM) and urges the CEP to implement the recommendation to return to the preliminary results for all contested cases.

Yesterday Thursday, at the weekly press briefing of the Miniustah Jorge Moreno Inocencio, spokesman for the UN police, said:

"The United Nations Police continues to support the PNH in the context of the events that occur after the announcement of final results of presidential and parliamentary elections by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).

During the past week, we continued our logistics effort and our deployment of patrols for the national territory to ensure that we can provide the best support to the PNH, to prevent violence and make possible the manifestations of expression of ideas and opinions in a peaceful manner as in any democratic country.

Since April 20, we recorded a total of 26 people killed in criminal acts, where 4 are related to electoral issues. The trend in terms of deaths, subsequently to criminal acts this week, is slightly down from last week.

The number of violent protests has decreased significantly and that of peaceful protests is on the rise. The measures of support to the HNP and the joint work of the Haitian police and military police of the United Nations for the control of demonstrations allows the popular expression to occur, in most cases, peacefully. Similarly, incidents related to electoral issues show the same trend, a decrease in outbreaks of violence and an increase of peaceful events.

During the period between April 21 and May 3 in response to these events, we performed an average of 740 daily joint patrols with the PNH throughout Haiti. The number of joint patrols during those days has been increased in Port-au-Prince and IDP camps, to respond proactively to the prevention of violent events. A total of 271people were detained throughout the period, due to activities contrary to law or public order, not only during political demonstrations, but also in other cases. The UN police launched a new appeal to the people of Haiti to exercise the right to demonstrate peacefully and unarmed.

In the framework of the maintenance of order and public safety, United Nations Police wishes to reiterate its commitment to provide sustained support to the PNH in the professionalization and training of its officers, to the benefit of the Haitian people"