UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2017
Ambassador Nikki Haley Chairs the Adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution to Draw Down the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti
Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivered remarks at the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2350 on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). While Ambassador Haley highlighted the drawdown of the mission as a success story for UN peacekeeping and the people of Haiti, she also drew attention to allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers – a stain on the UN’s efforts that will not be tolerated.
“Today’s resolution brings to a close mission that began in 2004 when Haiti was first faced with an armed conflict that had spread to several cities across the country. Accountability and reporting language has been added so that we are able to track the effectiveness of remaining personnel…As the stabilization mission in Haiti draws down and the new mission gears up, the Haitian people will be set on the path of independence and self-sufficiency. This is a success story when it comes to drawing down a peacekeeping mission. The United States will continue to stand with the people of Haiti.”
“While this is seen as a success, unfortunately, it’s a nightmare for many in Haiti, who will never be able to forget and live with brutal scars… What do we say to these kids? Did these peacekeepers keep them safe? We must acknowledge these realities. How can we learn from these acts?…The United States has made it clear to the UN and all troop-contributing countries that these abuses must stop. Countries that refuse to hold their soldiers accountable must recognize that this either stops or their troops will go home and their financial compensation will end. The abuses do not represent poorly to a troop-contributing country if they hold these abusers accountable and stress this to the soldiers that are in place.”
Full video and transcript of remarks: https://go.usa.gov/xXsdH
