02.07.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC Briefing on Haiti

Checked against delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

Allow me to begin by congratulating Pakistan for assuming the Presidency. And also to express our sincere appreciation to Guyana for the smooth conduct of the Presidency last month.

I also wish to thank ASG Jenča and UNODC Director Waly for their briefings today.

Mr. President,

Haiti continues to experience a multitude of spiralling crises, and its civilians continue to pay the heavy price of insecurity and lawlessness.

Allow me to make three points.

First, the devastating humanitarian and human rights situations in Haiti cannot be overstated. We continue to witness a rapid deterioration across all metrics.

This year has seen a rapid rise in internally displaced people, reaching 1.3 million, due to the spread of gang violence, and exacerbated by forced returns.

Haiti is one of five countries in the world with famine-like conditions, with more than half of the population facing acute food insecurity.

6 months into 2025, Haiti’s Humanitarian Response Plan is funded at a dismal 8%.

Violations of human rights are widespread.

According to the recent Secretary-General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict, grave violations against children have increased by 490%. This is both staggering and heart-breaking.

We condemn in the strongest terms all violations against children and call on the security forces and armed gangs to facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Demark strongly supports all efforts to further Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, and Community Violence Reduction, especially with a focus on youth. Facilitating children and young people’s safe exit from gangs, their reintegration into the community, and their empowerment as peacebuilders will be instrumental for Haiti’s future development.

The last few months has also seen a large spike in sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, with rape taking up half of all reported cases.

Without additional resources, the most vulnerable will continue to suffer. We call on the international community to urgently scale-up humanitarian funding to provided assistance to those in desperate need.

Second, Mr. President,

As made so painfully clear, establishing security, law and order is critical to progress on all other fronts.

Let me underscore Denmark’s appreciation for the efforts made by Kenya in leading the international response to establish security in Haiti.

Denmark strongly supports the Multinational Security Support mission, and we have recently deposited our 1.5-million-dollar donation to the MSS Trust Fund. However, in the face of deteriorating security, we believe there must be greater UN involvement in Haiti.

Denmark believes this Council should urgently consider the recommendations put forward in Secretary-General’s letter on 24 February to enable the MSS mission to meet the scale of threat and complexity on the ground.

Greater use and implementation of UN sanctions and the arms embargo to target criminals prospering from Haiti’s insecurity is also critical. 

Finally, Mr. President,

Denmark welcomes the steps made by Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council to progress the political transition.

The drafting of a revised constitutional text based on broad national consultations is an important step.

With less than 8 months left in the roadmap to restore democratic institutions, we strongly urge the TPC, Prime Minister and key stakeholders to accelerate their work and prioritise establishing security.

Now more than ever, BINUH’s advisory role to the Haitian Government on key areas, including justice reform, accountability, elections, and promoting political stability, is vital.

All aspects are undeniably interconnected. We look forward to working with Council Members on BINUH’s timely renewal.

Let me conclude by thanking SRSG Salvador for her service to the UN and the people of Haiti.

Thank you.