OEA/Ser.P AG/RES. 1831 (XXXI-O/01) 5 June 2001 Original: English SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY IN HAITI (Resolution adopted at the fourth plenary session, held on June 5, 2001; subject to review by the Style Committee) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BEARING IN MIND That the preamble of the OAS Charter establishes that representative democracy is an indispensable condition for stability, peace, and development of the region; That, according to the Charter, one of the essential aims of the Organization is to promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect to the principle of nonintervention; and That, another purpose is to promote by cooperative action economic, social and cultural development; The Santiago Commitment on Democracy and the Renewal of the Inter-American System (1991), the Declaration of Managua (1993), and the Declarations and Plans of Action of the Summits of the Americas (Miami 1994, Santiago 1998)"; That the Heads of State and Government of the Americas, at their Summit in Quebec emphasized their commitment to defend and strengthen democracy across the Hemisphere; The commitment of the OAS and of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to continue their contributions to the strengthening of democracy in Haiti; RECALLING the conclusions of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission to Haiti, on the elections of 21 May, 2000, presented in the report to the Permanent Council, (CP/doc.3383/00); RECALLING ALSO Resolution CP/RES. 772 (1247/00) of 4 August 2000 in which the Permanent Council, at the request of the Government of Haiti, authorized the Secretary General to lead a Mission to Haiti to "identify, together with the Government of Haiti and other sectors of the political community and civil society, options and recommendations for resolving, as expeditiously as possible, difficulties such as those that have arisen from differing interpretations of the Electoral Law, and for further strengthening democracy in that country;" TAKING NOTE of the reports to the Permanent Council by the General Secretariat regarding the visits to Haiti by the Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General during the period 16 August to 10 February 2001, and of the reports of those Missions contained in CP/doc.3349/00 of 24 August, 2000, CP/doc.3371/00 of 9 November 2000, and CP/doc.3419/01 corr.2 of 13 March, 2001; BEARING IN MIND ALSO The statement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Worship of Haiti before the Permanent Council on 14 March, 2001; The Resolution adopted by the Permanent Council of the OAS [CP/RES. 786 (1276/01) corr. 1]; in which it resolved, "To express the conviction that the resolution of the crisis arising from the Haitian elections of 21 May, 2000, is essential to the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights in Haiti;" That the said Resolution also requested " the Secretary General to undertake the necessary consultations with the Government of Haiti and other sectors of the political community and civil society, bearing in mind the statement by the Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Worship, on the potential for a dialogue to resolve the crisis arising from the elections of 21 May, 2000, and the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights in Haiti" and to "report on his consultations, and, as appropriate, to propose other measures that could contribute to the strengthening of the democratic process in Haiti;" The statement made by the Chairman of the Third Summit of the Americas, the Prime Minister of Canada, during the closing ceremony on 22 April, 2001, which acknowledged the problems that continue to limit the democratic, political, economic and social development of Haiti in the near future and asked the Secretary General, in collaboration with CARICOM, to visit Haiti and to report his findings to the OAS and to ensure adequate follow-up; The 9 May, 2001 decision by the Chairman of the Conference of Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Prime Minister of Barbados, and the Secretary General of the OAS to establish a joint OAS/CARICOM Mission on Haiti; The visit of the Joint OAS-CARICOM Mission from 29-31 May, 2001, led by the Secretary General and the former Prime Minister of Dominica, Dame Eugenia Charles, the report on which is contained in AG/ INF.264/01; CONCERNED that the political crisis is still unresolved and that persistent mistrust among political actors continues to hinder the possibility of wide ranging talks that would bring about a sustainable solution to the problems arising from the 21 May 2000 elections, based on a general agreement among the government of Haiti, political parties, and civil society and other relevant institutions of Haitian society, with a view to resolving the political crisis and strengthening democracy and respect for human rights in that country; RECOGNIZING the need for financial and technical assistance with the view to contributing to the promotion of Haiti's social and economic development; and HAVING RECEIVED a letter from the President of Haiti to the Chairman of the XXXI Regular Session of the General Assembly of the OAS, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica (AG/INF.260/01 corr. 1), RESOLVES 1. To reiterate its deep concern at the continuing political crisis in Haiti, arising from the elections of 21 May, 2000. 2. To take note of the initiative, consisting of five elements, contained in the letter of the President of Haiti (AG/INF.260/01 corr. 1) with regard to the process toward a definitive resolution to the current political crisis. 3. To acknowledge the concerns expressed in said letter regarding the urgency of normalizing relations between Haiti and the international financial institutions. 4. To urge the Government of Haiti to follow the resignations of seven Senators with the expeditious constitution of a credible, independent and neutral Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), composed of nine members nominated by the Executive, Judiciary, political parties - including the Convergence, Fanmi Lavalas, and other political parties - and churches, both Catholic and Protestant, by 25 June, 2001. This is a necessary step to create a climate of confidence conducive to a broad based agreement among the Government of Haiti, political parties and civil society, and other relevant institutions of Haitian society, with a view to resolving the political crisis and strengthening democracy and respect for human rights in Haiti. 5. To call upon the Government of Haiti, political parties, and civil society and other relevant institutions of Haitian society to commit themselves fully to this end. 6. To instruct the Secretary General to monitor and report to the Permanent Council on implementation of the commitments contained in AG doc.260/01. 7. To instruct the Secretary General to increase his efforts, in consultation with CARICOM and with other interested countries, to contribute further to the resolution of the existing political crisis in Haiti, to its social and economic development, the strengthening of democracy and the respect for human rights in that country. 8. To invite the Secretary General to establish a Group of Friends on Haiti from interested OAS member states and permanent observers to assist him in these efforts. 9. To request the Permanent Council to examine, as a matter of urgency, the mandate, modalities, budget, financing and other arrangements concerning the establishment of a possible Mission to Haiti. 10. To instruct the Secretary General to work jointly with member states towards normalizing relations between Haiti and the international community, including the international financial institutions, as progress is achieved in reaching a sustainable solution to the crisis arising from the 21 May 2000 elections. 11. To instruct the Secretary General to report to the Permanent Council or the General Assembly as appropriate on the implementation of this resolution.