Haiti / Human Rights: new UN Independent Expert in first mission to the country

GENEVA (18 September 2013) - The new Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, Mr. Gustavo Gallón, will visit Haiti from 23 September to 1October 2013 to analyse the situation of human rights in the country.

“During this first visit, I will monitor the reality for the Haitian both in Port-au-Prince and outside of the capital and for that I will be traveling to at least one of the other departments,” said Mr. Gallón.

“I also would like to become acquainted with the Haitian authorities, the international community and civil society,” he added. Mr. Gallón was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2013.

During his mission, the Independent Expert will meet with Haitian authorities, the Office du Protecteur des Citoyens, the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and UN agencies, human rights defenders and civil society.

Mr. Gallón will present his mission report* to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014.

The Independent Expert will hold a press conference on 1 October 2013 at 11 AM (time to be confirmed), in the conference room of the MINUSTAH logistics base, to present the preliminary findings of his visit.

The Human Rights Council appointed Mr. Gustavo Gallón as Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti in June 2013. Mr. Gallon has over 30 years of experience as a human rights defender and University Professor of Public Law and Human Rights. He was the Special Representative of the United Nations Human Rights Commission for Equatorial Guinea from 1999 to 2002. He is currently the director of the Colombian Commission of Jurists since its establishment in 1988. Mr. Gallón is independent of any government and performs his mandate in his individual capacity only. Learn more: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/countries/ht/mandate/index.htm

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

(*) Check the latest Independent Expert’s reports: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_f.aspx?m=47

For additional information and requests for interviews please contact:
In Geneva (prior to the mission): Santiago Martínez de Orense (+41 22 928 93 52. smartinez-orense@ohchr.org)
In Port Prince (during the mission): Sophie Boutaud de la Combe (+509 2229 6700, ext 2691 / boutauddelacombes@un.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

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