UNITED NATIONS INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN HAITI APPEALS FOR AN END TO THE POLITICAL CRISIS

HR/99/4
29 January 1999




UNITED NATIONS INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON SITUATION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS IN HAITI APPEALS FOR AN END TO THE POLITICAL CRISIS


The United Nations Independent Expert in charge of studying the situation of human rights in Haiti, Adama Dieng, today appealed to political groups and civil society in Haiti to end the political crisis which has plagued the country for the past 18 months.

Underlining the gravity of the situation prevailing in Haiti, the Independent Expert regretted the institutional vacuum that was created by the lapsed mandate of Parliament, as President René Préval had concluded. He welcomed efforts carried out by countries friendly with Haiti, the United Nations, and the Organization of American States to end the crisis and encouraged them to continue to use their good will offices.

Mr. Dieng hoped that all political actors in Haiti realized the potential dangers for human rights as a result of the crisis. He suggested that they rapidly create the conditions necessary to start a republican dialogue aimed at ensuring the proper functioning of institutions and guaranteeing the rule of law.