Skip to main content

Haiti: Law and Administration

Volume 718: debated on Thursday 25 March 2010

Questions

Asked by

To ask Her Majesty's Government what part they are playing in establishing open, accountable and effective Government in Haiti. [HL2953]

The UK has contributed a community engagement expert to the team which has now produced a post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA). The PDNA identifies important recommendations to establish open, accountable and effective government in Haiti, including: to seek a political consensus during the reconstruction period; to strengthen the democratic process through support to Parliament and political parties, to support civil society to promote dialogue on public policy; to strengthen the capacities of the Provisional Electoral Commission; and to support the institutional strengthening of the National Identification Office.

The UK believes that follow up to the PDNA is best supported by multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, European Commission and Inter-American Development Bank. The UK's share of the reconstruction funding already announced by these organisations amounts to around $50 million. The UK will use its position as major stakeholder in the multilateral bodies to ensure the priorities and principles they set for their allocations in Haiti address the most pressing needs—informed by the recommendations of the PDNA and the Government of Haiti's strategy for reconstruction and development.

In addition, in 2008-09 the UK contributed US$42 million to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) through our assessed contributions to UN Peacekeeping. The UK, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, also politically supports MINUSTAH through the Security Council mandate process. MINUSTAH has played a critical role in providing support to the Haitian Government for a number of years, including for free and fair elections such as the presidential elections in 2006. It will continue to do so for the next presidential elections, which we hope will take place as soon as conditions allow, and at the latest before the end of the current president's mandate.

Asked by

To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution they are making towards developing the rule of law and the administration of justice in Haiti. [HL2954]

In 2008-09, the UK contributed US$42 million to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) through our assessed contributions to UN peacekeeping. The UK, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, politically supports MINUSTAH through the Security Council mandate process. MINUSTAH plays a critical role within Haiti in training and supporting the Haitian National Police, providing the skills required to effectively and fairly maintain law and order within the country.

Following the earthquake of 12 January, the UK contributed a community engagement expert to an international team which has now produced a post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA). The PDNA identifies important recommendations to develop the rule of law and the administration of justice in Haiti, including: to restore and enhance the operational capacities of actors in the justice and public safety system; and to modernise the justice and public safety system and expand services at the territorial level.

The UK believes that follow-up to the PDNA is best supported by multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, European Commission and Inter-American Development Bank. The UK's share of the reconstruction funding already announced by these organisations amounts to around $50 million. The UK will use our position as a major shareholder in the multilateral bodies to ensure the priorities and principles the institutions set for their allocations in Haiti address the most pressing needs—informed by the recommendations of the PDNA and the Government of Haiti's strategy for reconstruction and development.

Additionally, experts from the UK Government's Stabilisation Unit are advising the Haitian Ministry of Justice on a programme of prison rebuilding. This is part of an international donor effort to rebuild and improve the prison sector in Haiti. Improving prison conditions had also been a priority before the earthquake. The work is now continuing, and the team are also providing advice to the Haitian Ministry of Justice on introducing international standards on prison management, as well as better security management and contingency planning.