Haiti / Human Rights: Mission by United Nations Independent Expert

26 January 2012

GENEVA – The United Nations Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Haiti, Michel Forst, will visit Haiti from 31 January to 8 February 2012 to evaluate the human rights situation there since his last mission in September 2011, and to follow up on recommendations made in his last report to the Human Rights Council.*

“I will focus on issues of human rights in the context of the humanitarian crisis, the implementation of a human rights-based approach to reconstruction, preventing impunity for serious human rights violations and the pursuit of reforms in the area of rule of law. I also would like to propose to Haitian authorities a work plan for 2012 with activities addressing the enjoyment of economic and social rights in particular,” said Mr. Forst.

During his mission the Independent Expert will visit Port-au-Prince and Gonaives. He will meet with the new Haitian authorities, Members of Parliament, the national human rights institution, the diplomatic corps, representatives of MINUSTAH** and the UN System in Haiti, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and civil society.

The Independent Expert will hold a press conference on 8 February 2012 at 11.00, at the conference room of MINUSTAH Logistics Base, to present a preliminary statement on the visit.

END

(*) Check the last reports of the Independent Expert on:
http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?m=47(**) MINUSTAH: United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

The Secretary General appointed Mr. Michel Forst as Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti in June 2008. Mr. Forst is General Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission of France and author of different publications on human rights, extreme poverty and the United Nations.

Learn more about the mandate and activities of the Independent Expert: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/countries/ht/mandate/index.htm

OHCHR Country Page – Haiti: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LacRegion/Pages/HTIndex.aspx