According to reports from Human Rights Watch, an independent advocacy group, last week, a delegation from Kenya arrived in Haiti amidst the country’s ongoing crisis, signaling the imminent deployment of a mission aimed at aiding Haitian law enforcement in tackling the criminal elements fueling unrest in Port au Prince, the nation’s capital.
This mission, led by Kenya and sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council since October 2023, is slated for deployment in the near future. Its primary objective is to support Haitian police efforts in securing vital infrastructure and combating criminal factions that have seized control of much of the capital, perpetrating widespread abuses.
Arriving on May 21, the delegation, which included the commander of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, conducted an assessment of the readiness of the United States government for the mission’s deployment. Recently, Kenyan President William Ruto held talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington, during which Biden pledged increased support for the MSS initiative.
An important concern revolves around ensuring that the MSS mission upholds human rights standards. The US government has assured Human Rights Watch that it is conducting thorough vetting of all MSS personnel as mandated by US law, while the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is collaborating on the mission’s regulatory framework. Haiti’s transitional presidential council has announced that Haitian police will oversee the MSS operation, with supervision and definition of the mission’s assistance falling under the upcoming national security council.
However, the UN Security Council is still awaiting crucial information from the MSS regarding rules of engagement, human rights diligence processes for its forces, safeguards for human rights, and mechanisms for accountability.
Furthermore, the MSS faces legal and financial obstacles. A ruling by the Kenyan High Court on January 26 deemed the deployment of police officers to Haiti unconstitutional, with an appeal pending and a new lawsuit on similar grounds scheduled for a June hearing. Additionally, the mission’s trust fund has only received US$21 million, significantly short of the estimated initial operational costs of US$600 million.
“Haitians urgently need rights-respecting international support to restore security. Governments, especially the United States, France, and from Latin America and the Caribbean, should ensure the mission the UN authorized has the necessary funding, personnel, and technical capacities.
To avoid repeating the failures and abuses in past international responses, members of the UN Security Council should demand on all troop-contributing countries to implement a robust human rights due diligence policy, including an independent oversight mechanism, involving Haitian civil society, to monitor and report on the conduct of the Haitian National Police and MSS personnel.
Given the complexity of Haiti’s crisis, a comprehensive approach rooted in human rights principles is essential. Haitians deserve robust measures to ensure full compliance with international law and respect for their human rights, and transparency about them,” asserts Human Rights Watch.
Dominica military to be deployed against its people. That is what they love to display the M16 and grenade launchers against the peaceful citizens of Dominica. There is action in Haiti. Go get Barbecue and Ti Garcon so you all can be barbecued.
Kenya? why Kenya? they are already heavily indebted to the west. they could easily be their pawns. why not a country that speaks french? like those who put out the european invaders from their lands. namely Burkina Faso, Niger, or Mali?
Have Burkina Faso, Niger, or Mali volunteered to send their citizens to keep the peace in Haiti? Thankful Kenya is stepping up, praying for their success.
Independence for Haiti would be easier. A plan that excludes the Haitian freedom fighters who the media label “gangs” will surely fail. It’s an invasion made to look like another African selling-out, when we know is the U.S French Canadian military gonna carry this out rather than let Haiti be fully independent.