The Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly today adopted a resolution instructing its Permanent Council to “undertake, in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, including article 20, all necessary diplomatic initiatives, including good offices, to foster full restoration of democracy in Haiti.” The Assembly of the hemisphere’s Foreign Ministers urged Haiti’s transitional government at the same time to continue creating conditions conducive to free, fair and democratic elections as soon as possible.

The 18-point “consensus resolution on Haiti” was introduced to the General Assembly Tuesday evening by Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Harold Lovell, whose country currently chairs the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Lovell stressed CARICOM’s unwavering commitment to “remain engaged in Haiti, notwithstanding recent setbacks,” based on the sub-regional bloc’s moral obligation to Haiti.

The resolution as well urges all segments of Haitian society to begin dialogue and national reconciliation, without exclusions, to facilitate a democratic, peaceful and electoral solution to the current crisis.

It further calls on the OAS Special Mission for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti, in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, to assist the country’s Provisional Electoral Council in preparing, organizing and overseeing elections and posting the results, in coordination with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The Permanent Council is to review the Special Mission’s mandates, and the international community and international financial institutions are urged to fulfill their commitments to strengthen democracy in Haiti.

Reference: GA-018-04