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Thursday, March 7, 2024

Haiti: Some 5.5 million people — that’s nearly half of the country’s population — need humanitarian assistance

The Rapidly Deteriorating Security Situation in Haiti and its Impact on Haitian Civilians


From UN Briefing on Haiti
5 March, 2024


Haiti Crisis
Turning to Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the escalation of violence in several neighbourhoods in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has led to some [15,000; corrected below] people being forced to flee their homes.  Most of these people had already been displaced previously.

Despite the security constraints, our humanitarian partners on the ground have begun to respond to these new displacements by providing food; hygiene and health kits; mattresses, blankets and sheets; as well as lamps.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners have delivered some 5,500 hot meals to some 3,000 people living in the three new displacement sites, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has started distributing emergency shelter material to more than 300 families.

The humanitarian community in Haiti calls on all sides to put an immediate stop to the violence; to allow safe access to the people in need; and respect human rights and humanitarian norms and standards.

As a reminder, some 5.5 million people — that’s nearly half of the country’s population — need humanitarian assistance.

This year’s $674 million Humanitarian appeal for Haiti is just 2.5 per cent funded; that means it had received only $17 million.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a private meeting on the situation in Haiti.  The head of our mission there — Maria Isabel Salvador — is expected to brief on the United Nations’ behalf; that will be done virtually.

I also want to reiterate that the Secretary-General is of course deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Haiti and its impact on Haitian civilians.

He calls for urgent action, particularly in providing financial support for the Multinational Security Support mission, which is — as a reminder — is not a UN peacekeeping force.  This force will need to address the pressing security requirements of the Haitian people and prevent the country from plunging into further chaos.

He also calls on the Government of Haiti and other political actors to swiftly agree to the necessary steps to advance the political process towards the restoration of democratic institutions through the holding of elections.

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Sunday, February 18, 2024

The Deepening Human Rights Catastrophe in Haiti

Gang violence is affecting all communes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, as gang members continue to clash for control of territory and have escalated their activities in areas outside the capital

- Haitian lives depend on the deployment, with no further delay, of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS), to support the National Police and bring security to the Haitian population, under conditions that comply with international human rights norms and standards -


From UN News

Crisis in Haiti
GENEVA (9 February 2024)
 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday issued an urgent warning about the deepening human rights catastrophe in Haiti, after figures showed that January was the most violent month in more than two years.
“The already dire human rights situation has deteriorated even further, amid unrelenting and expanding gang violence, with disastrous consequences for Haitians,” said Türk.
At least 806 people, not involved in the violent exchanges taking place, were killed, injured, or kidnapped in January 2024.  In addition, some 300 gang members were killed or injured, bringing the total number of people affected to 1,108 – more than three times the number recorded in January 2023.
Gang violence is affecting all communes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, as gang members continue to clash for control of territory and have escalated their activities in areas outside the capital. The intensity of clashes which, in some cases, have lasted several hours, may indicate that some gangs have recently received new ammunition.
People in areas controlled by gangs have been targeted directly.  Gangs also continue to use sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon, and spread fear by sharing on local social media gruesome photos and videos of killed individuals and women being raped.
The impact of this torrent of violence on children continues to be of particular concern.  In 2023, 167 children were killed and injured by bullets.  Some were executed by gangs or so-called “self-defence” groups for their suspected support for rivals.  The recruitment of children into gangs remained extremely worrisome.
In this context of widespread violence, in recent weeks there have been anti-government street protests and civil unrest, supported by opposition political parties, in at least 24 towns across the country, including the capital. Schools, public services, and local businesses have been forced to close.
Recently, armed elements have emerged, including some members of the so-called “Protected Areas Security Brigade” (in French, Brigade de Sécurité des Aires Protégées or BSAP), an informal entity established several years ago by a body in charge of environmental issues.
While some protests have turned violent, with public and private buildings ransacked, there are also persistent concerns about the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement.
Between 20 January and 7 February, at least 16 people were killed and 29 injured mainly in the context of confrontations between protesters and police.
Police officers must always abide by the principles of lawfulness, necessity and proportionality when managing protests, in accordance with human rights norms and standards, and protesters must express their grievances peacefully, the UN Human Rights Chief noted.
“Every day that passes, more casualties are being recorded.  Now, more than ever, Haitian lives depend on the deployment, with no further delay, of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS), to support the National Police and bring security to the Haitian population, under conditions that comply with international human rights norms and standards,” he said.
In addition to the need to improve the security situation, it is also essential to note the impact of this new wave of violence on Haiti’s economy, and spreading food insecurity.  High inflation due to extortion and road blockades have left millions of Haitians deprived of basic commodities.  More than 313,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.  Many have sought refuge in crammed and unsanitary sites, which affects their ability to access health and education services.
“As I have said time and again, while improvement of the security situation is the prerequisite to breaking the cycle of crises in Haiti, long-term stability will only be achieved through tackling the root causes of poverty, social and economic discrimination and corruption,” Türk stressed.

Friday, February 9, 2024

A Vision for an Holistic and Adaptive Conservation Model for The Bahamas

The challenges facing The Bahamas in conservation and climate change mitigation 


By Kathryn Campbell
Bahamas Information Services (BIS)


Vaughn Miller
NASSAU, The Bahamas
– In his remarks at the University of the Bahamas’ (UB) Conservation Conclave, the Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources presented five strategies for sustainable environmental practices. These strategies, said Minister Miller, aim to create a “holistic” and “adaptive” conservation model for The Bahamas, addressing the unique environmental challenges and fostering a sustainable coexistence between nature and human activities.

The strategies are:

Marine Protected Areas

Establish and expand Marine Protected Areas to safeguard critical marine habitats, including coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves. Implement strict regulations to manage human activities within these areas, promoting the recovery and resilience of marine ecosystems.

Sustainable Tourism Practices

Implement and enforce sustainable tourism practices to minimize the impact of tourism on delicate ecosystems. This includes promoting responsible snorkeling and diving, regulating boat traffic, and educating tourists and operators on the importance of preserving the marine environment.

Climate Resilience Programs

Develop and implement climate resilience programs to address the impact of climate change on the Bahamian environment. This includes initiatives to protect coastal areas from rising sea levels, strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather events, and promote climate-smart agriculture.

Community Engagement and Education

Foster community engagement through education and awareness programs. Empower local communities to actively participate in conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of sustainable fishing practices, waste reduction, and the preservation of natural habitats.

Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives

Implement comprehensive biodiversity conservation initiatives to protect and restore native flora and fauna. This includes reforestation projects, invasive species management, and habitat restoration programs to enhance the overall resilience of terrestrial ecosystems.

The event, which addressed current challenges facing The Bahamas in conservation and climate change mitigation, was held February 1 and 2, 2024 at the National Training Agency, Gladstone Road, and a collaboration with GEF Small Grants Programme and Disney Conservation Fund. The conclave brought together public policy experts, scientists, activists, community stakeholders and industry stakeholders to discuss the important topic.

Said Minister Miller: “The recommendations reflect a collective effort to forge a path toward sustainable environmental practices, balancing the preservation of our unique ecosystems with the developmental needs of our communities.

“These strategies are not just a set of guidelines; they represent a shared commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage for generations to come.

“In considering these recommendations, let us recognize the delicate balance we must strike between progress and preservation. It is incumbent upon us, as stewards of this beautiful nation, to adopt innovative approaches that harmonize economic development with environmental sustainability.

“The strategies outlined here serve as a roadmap toward achieving this equilibrium.”

He urged the participants to lend their expertise, insights, and passion to the crucial 'dialogue.'

“Together, let us refine and amplify these recommendations to craft a conservation model that not only meets international standards but also serves as a beacon of responsible environmental management.

“The success of our efforts relies on collaboration — between government agencies, environmental organizations, communities, and individuals.

“Let this be a moment where we unite in purpose, inspired by a shared vision of a Bahamas where nature thrives alongside progress.”

The goals of the conclave included these aims: to develop a shared understanding of the spectrum of current challenges facing The Bahamas in conservation, climate change mitigation and national development; consensus building on proposed solutions to challenges related to conservation, scientific research, data sharing and environmental protection policy in The Bahamas; and an agreement on an action plan, decision-making process and a framework for recommendations required to move forward.

Moreover, it was hoped that the conclave would result in the production of a white paper which could advise the development of a national policy on conservation with recommendations for adoption by the Government of The Bahamas.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

US Congressmen Criticized Trump's Inclusion of Cuba on the Arbitrary and Unilateral List of State Sponsors of Terrorism and Urged Biden to Revoke It

U.S. Congressmen Ask Biden to Remove Cuba from Terrorist List


By Prensa Latina


The Island of Cuba
Democratic congressmen from Massachusetts asked U.S. President Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the list of sponsors of terrorism, a designation issued at the end of Donald Trump's administration, The Hill newspaper reported.

Members of Congress criticized Trump's inclusion of Cuba on that arbitrary and unilateral list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and urged Biden to revoke it.

"It was a vindictive action taken by the Trump administration in January 2021 when it left office, and the policy should have changed by now," Democrats Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley wrote in a December letter that was not made public until now, according to the newspaper.

"In fact, Cuba and the United States have a bilateral counterterrorism cooperation agreement in place," the two congressmen stressed in the missive, also signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Representatives Seth Moulton, Lori Trahan and Stephen Lynch.

The Democrats insisted on Biden's unfulfilled campaign promises on reviewing some of the coercive measures adopted by Trump (2017-2021) against Cuba.

"As a candidate for president, you promised to address a new engagement with Cuba and return to the policy initiated during the Obama-Biden administration, and we support you in this commitment," they reminded the current occupant of the Oval Office.

Trump included the Caribbean country on that list during his last week in office, and this imposed severe restrictions on the island's access to international financial markets, which limits its ability to do business with other countries and entities, which are forced to choose between trading with the U.S. or Cuba, the article added.

Source

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Jokers of The Climate Fight

The International Climate Fight Jokers are Addicted To Flying!



By Dennis Dames
Nassau, NP, The Bahamas

The Climate Change Crusaders of The Universe are Chronic Frequent Flyers!

 


Climate Fight Jokers



I am skeptical about the global climate issue as I follow our Prime Minister's and his international counterparts' dirty climate crusade around the world while travelling shamelessly in one of the worst climate change guilty party, the airplane.

Climate Crusade
This makes the subject of climate change look like a scam, because on the one hand – they are contributing to the climate change of which they talk about- by flying here, there and everywhere; then they gather in person often in some country on the planet to tell us that action is needed now to reverse the unwelcomed trend of climate change.

Why do the leaders of the world love to fly so much to various conferences around the globe when technology has advanced to the point where they can comfortably sit their backsides in their respective offices, and spill their guts together on any issue of global concern?

I suspect the answer to that is- that all of them just simply love to fly, and are arrogant enough to tell us, ‘Don’t do what we do – but what we say do.’

It must be a dirty flying joke coming from a gang of climate change hypocrites who cannot stop flying around the globe on the planet polluting jets.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

The Rise of Gang Violence in Haiti

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office and the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), calls for the urgent deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission authorized by the UN Security Council in October, in accordance with international human rights norms and standards



Violence in Haiti
GENEVA/PORT-AU-PRINCE (28 November 2023) - A new UN report out today details a further, shocking rise in gang violence in Haiti as criminal gangs forge alliances and expand to rural areas previously considered safe – killing, raping, kidnapping, and destroying property, among other abuses.

The report, released by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), calls for the urgent deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission authorized by the UN Security Council in October, in accordance with international human rights norms and standards.  Increased efforts will need to be deployed to strengthen Haiti’s rule of law institutions, in particular the police, the judiciary, and the prison system, the report notes.

The report focuses on the Bas-Artibonite district, located in Central Haiti, about 100 kilometres from the capital Port-au-Prince, which has seen a significant rise in gang violence in the last two years.  Between January 2022 and October 2023, at least 1,694 people were killed, injured, or kidnapped in Bas-Artibonite.

Kidnapping for ransom by criminal groups has become a constant fear for users of public transport across Bas-Artibonite, the report states.  The story of Darleine, a 22-year-old woman is one of many: she was dragged off a bus in March this year by gang members, who held her captive for over two weeks and repeatedly beat and raped her.  A few weeks after she was released, she committed suicide.

The report documents criminal groups rampaging through “rival” villages, executing local people and using sexual violence against women and even very young children.  The groups also loot farmers’ properties, crops and livestock and destroy irrigation canals, contributing to the displacement of more than 22,000 people from their villages and significantly reducing the amount of cultivated land, heightening food insecurity.  In September 2023, more than 45 per cent of the population of Bas-Artibonite was in a situation of acute food insecurity.  Gang violence has also left many farming families unable to repay their debts or to access basic services.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that across Haiti, at least 3,960 people have been killed, 1,432 injured and 2,951 kidnapped in gang-related violence this year alone.

“The situation in Haiti is cataclysmic.  We are continuing to receive reports of killings, sexual violence, displacement and other violence – including in hospitals,” Türk said.

“With terrible violence against the population expanding – within and outside Port-au-Prince – and the inability of the police to stop them, the much-needed Multinational Security Support mission needs to be deployed to Haiti as soon as possible,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said.

The High Commissioner stressed that the support mission must include internal oversight mechanisms and other safeguards to ensure its compliance with international human rights norms and standards.

Given the worsening violence and further to the October 2023 report of the UN Panel of Experts on Haiti, the report also calls on the Security Council to update the list of individuals and entities subject to UN sanctions for supporting, preparing, ordering, or committing acts contrary to international human rights law.

“There needs to be continued emphasis on the implementation of the arms embargo and sanctions targeting those behind this untenable situation,” the High Commissioner said.

“I also call on the Haitian authorities to fulfil their international human rights obligations and to put in place robust measures to strengthen the country’s institutions and improve governance, including by tackling corruption and addressing impunity.”

Source

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Partners in Climate Financing Solution

The fight against climate change is only just beginning, and soon enough we will need to rely on a new generation of environmental leaders...


The Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Davis’ Remarks at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023


Fellow Heads of State and Ministers, 

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning:


Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis
I’ll begin by thanking the people and the government of Grenada for hosting us so graciously; it is wonderful to be here together.

I know we’re all looking forward to building on the progress we made last year in The Bahamas.

It is a source of great encouragement that our region, home to such a beautiful and vast diversity of peoples and languages and societies, can unite on key issues as we confront a new era of climate crisis.

The urgency of our work could not be clearer.

Even in the best-case scenarios – even if the world can make significant progress in reducing fossil fuel emissions (progress that in reality is far from assured) – for the foreseeable future, our region will continue to experience warming oceans, rising waters, and more intense hurricanes.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, more than a trillion tons of carbon dioxide have been released into our earth’s atmosphere.

Try as they might to skirt around the issue, the industrialized North will need to make the most sizable adjustments.  It is, after all, their development which has brought us to this point.

We must call on our partners in the North to deliver on the commitment they made at COP15 in Copenhagen, to mobilise US$100 billion per year by 2021.  This is the very same goal, which was reiterated at COP21 in Paris, and extended to 2025.

To date, they have yet to reach this target.

My friends, it makes no sense shooting arrows at new targets, when the bullseye of two decades before has yet to be hit.

As COP28 approaches, it is crucial that we, the developing countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis, hold the developed world to account.  Whether they honour their commitments could mean the difference between a mere disturbance and another Dorian – that devastating Category 5 super storm, the likes of which my country had never seen and is still recovering from.

To further the interests of the Caribbean, which are much the same as small island developing states (SIDS) in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, we must speak as one region, united by clear ideas and a common purpose.  We may operate in different geopolitical contexts, but we all lie in the same hurricane alley, we all rely, to a certain extent, on the tourist economy, and we all share common strands of a beautiful island culture under threat.

Let us use this occasion to marry our voices, to make ourselves heard.

I pushed for this regular meeting on the UN calendar because I strongly believe that the Caribbean can accomplish anything it sets its mind to.

I grew up on a small island in The Bahamas that is big on community.  It was the kind of tight knit place where even your neighbours felt like family, and that is exactly how I feel about all of you.

My brothers and sisters, ours is a common heritage, and a shared future.  Let us use this forum to identify our priorities, focus our efforts, and fight for a sustainable future.   A future in which the months from June to November do not spell certain doom for the countries of the Caribbean.

Key to a future in which our region flourishes will be our sustained commitment to seeing a loss and damage fund come to full fruition.  The adoption of this fund at COP27 was a remarkable achievement of Caribbean solidarity, one which we cannot afford to let fall by the wayside.

The time has come to double down on our efforts.  To tell these developed nations to “write the cheque”, as they have kicked the can down the road for far too long.  We cannot leave COP28 without the first pledge for funding identified.  This is no minor undertaking.  But if they are the big tree, we are the small axe!

And just as we hold the developed world to account, so too must we take active strides to enhance our own climate resilience.

Last week, I travelled to New York to take part in the Clinton Global Initiative, a community of doers committed to addressing the most pressing issues of our time.  At that forum, I was pleased to announce a new initiative, The Bahamas Sustainable Investment Programme or “BSIP” – a three-year economic and investment programme that is aligned with our Paris Agreement pledges and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

If The Bahamas, or indeed the Caribbean, is to succeed, we cannot be passive actors.  We must find our own solutions.  With this programme, we are spearheading our own climate financing solution, and we invite the region, and the world, to partner with us.

Much like the Bridgetown Initiative, this is about more than just expanding access to funding, it’s about developing a practical pathway to climate justice and global equity.

It goes without saying that the present international financial process is unsustainable.  I would go as far as to call it egregious.  As SIDS, we are grappling with colossal impacts of a climate crisis we did not precipitate.  We are shouldering disproportionate debt burdens.  In some cases, such as in The Bahamas, climate change-related debt amounts to over half of total GDP.  This is not only an enormous figure, it is an unjust figure.

International financial institutions need to be overhauled to deliver on a fit-for-purpose approach to lending due to loss and damage from climate impacts.  These institutions, in tandem with International Multilateral Development Banks, must re-evaluate their purpose, approach, and objectives when dealing with SIDS.  An appropriately weighted, multidimensional vulnerability index must be adopted, if access to concessional development finance is to be made available to the states which need it most.

Despite the daunting task ahead of us, I do believe we can get it done.  I do believe our region is on the cusp of an exodus – a journey out of vulnerability, and into resilience.

Fundamental to this quest will be our ability to engage and empower our youth.  For the Caribbean to go from strength to strength, we must edify, uplift, and enlist the assistance of our youth.  The fight against climate change is only just beginning, and soon enough we will need to rely on a new generation of environmental leaders.

If the youth of our region are to blaze trails, we must first light a fire inside them.  So let us welcome the next generation into the fold.  Let us harness their fresh perspectives and critical agility, as we embark on a path toward greater Caribbean resilience.

Brothers and sisters, I look forward to witnessing the outcomes of this important meeting, and I applaud the incoming Chair, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, for taking up the mantle.  The resolutions we establish today will surely be critical in safeguarding our shared tomorrow. 

Thank you, and may God bless you all.

Source